DO NOT IGNORE enlarged, tortuous varicose veins

Ludhiana, February 13, 2013: Enlarged and tortuous veins should not be neglected as just any other pain. Such veins, known as varicose veins, need to be treated as early as possible to avoid further complexity.

While addressing media persons today, Dr Ravul Jindal, Director (vascular surgery) at Fortis Hospital, Mohali said that varicose veins occur mainly on thighs and calves and is a very common problem in the society.

“Varicose veins are often painful and itch. Scratching them could cause ulcers. Thankfully complications are rare, but at the same time the disease can be debilitating,” added Dr Jindal.

The ailment is usually characterised by aching and heavy legs, ankle swelling, dilated bluish bulge under the skin, redness, dryness and itchiness of skin. In some people skin above ankle may shrink because fat underneath skin becomes hard. The symptoms also include whitened, irregular scar-like patches which can appear at the ankles or patient can have chronic non-healing ulcers.

Dr Jindal said that the disease marks indication of a malfunction of venous system and should be evaluated by vascular surgery specialist.

“If disease is not properly evaluated and is operated by an inexperienced surgeon, chances of reoccurrence of varicose vein get higher,” he cautioned.

The exact reason for the cause of varicose veins is not known. We think that mainly it happens without any reason but is more common in patients who are tall, stand for long time and post pregnancy. We have also found that this disease runs in families and there is a higher chance of getting varicose veins if parents have them. We don’t have much data from our country available but we are collecting data as a nation in the registry and hopefully we may come out with some conclusion in few years time.

Conventional surgery for treatment requires anaesthesia, hospitalization, 2 to 3 weeks’ recovery time; chances of re-occurrence are higher and leave behind trail of multiple cuts that are not appealing in cosmetic appearance.

Dr Jindal who is a secretary of Venous Association of India said that the latest treatment options have come as a boon for the patients suffering from it. Just an hour’s time in the hospital with procedure time of 20 min for one leg, the modern treatment is less painful and ensures early recovery. Also the patient need not take repeated medications during treatment.

The technology is available at Fortis Hospital, Mohali from last 7 years and was started first time in this area. Department of vascular surgery treats these veins with modern modality of lasers, radiofrequency and foam sclerotheapy regularly. This treatment in available as a walking procedure in the hospital.

Laser / RF procedure involves puncture of vein under ultrasound guidance and burning it using diode laser or radiofrequency probe. This technique is combined with foam sclerotherapy to ablate small veins. It is safe and painless. Patients can return home on same day as compared to conventional surgery where they are hospitalized.

Laser procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is scar less.

There are no cuts or stitches. As it causes minimal damage to tissues it’s especially useful in patients who are on blood thinners, obese, groin infection, old age or patients who are scared of surgery. Patients can return to normal activities within 24 hours except of vigorous exercise. Overall cost of laser treatment costs less than conventional method.