Varicose Veins Surgery

Invasive varicose veins surgery is often considered a last resort for treating severely damaged veins; fortunately there are many types of varicose veins surgery, ranging from minimally invasive to invasive options to consider as ways to eliminate varicose veins.  Prior to recommending varicose veins surgery, most vein doctors will recommend non-invasive conservative steps like wearing compression stockings or losing weight,  prior to considering minimally invasive or invasive surgical treatment procedures. 

What’s the Difference Between Invasive and Minimally Invasive Vein Surgery?

Minimally invasive varicose veins surgery are typically outpatient procedures performed under small amounts of local anesthetics and involve making small incisions to allow access to the damaged vein.  Depending on the type of minimally invasive procedure, doctors will use the incision to insert a small catheter used to give access to the laser, radiowave, foam or sclerosant solution being used to treat the vein. 

These procedures are usually completed in under an hour and often only require a small bandage over the incision area. 

On the other hand, invasive varicose veins surgery is much more intense, and is used to completely remove a damaged vein from the body.   Often requiring general anesthesia, invasive vein surgeries are required in roughly 10% of varicose veins and are often reserved for the most severe varicose vein cases.

Invasive varicose veins surgery options have a much more significant recovery period than minimally invasive surgical vein procedures.

Varicose Veins Surgical Options

Minimally invasive varicose veins surgical options, include

• Endovenous laser ablation (EVLT) uses a tiny laser to heat and seal off the damaged vein
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses radio waves to close off a swollen or twisted vein
• VenaSeal uses an medical-grade adhesive to close the vein
• Varithena uses an FDA-approved microfoam to close off a varicose vein
• Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is guided by ultrasound and involves administering an  injection of sclerosant solution directly into the vein.

Severe cases of  varicose veins require invasive varicose veins surgery.  While invasive varicose veins surgery are rarely used in the U.S., the two most common invasive varicose veins treatment options are vein stripping and phlebectomy.  

• Vein stripping is typically used on a larger vein and involves making  a series of two to three incisions on the leg before removing the  entire vein; the vein is then tied off at either end and the incisions are closed with stitches.

• Phlebectomy is similar to vein stripping, but is used as a smaller varicose veins treatment option.  During a phlebectomy, several tiny incisions are made along the vein; the vein is then removed in several pieces using a hook or similar type medical tool.

Both vein stripping and phlebectomy are considered invasive varicose veins treatment options and are typically performed while the patient is under general anesthesia.

Varicose Veins Surgery Side Effects

All varicose veins surgery procedures will be accompanied with minor side effects considered normal as part of the post-surgical healing process.  These side effects generally include localized bruising and pain that lasts one to two-weeks.

Like any surgical procedure, while rare, both minimally and invasive varicose veins surgery procedure can have a range of other unwanted post-surgical side effects. 

Minimally invasive varicose veins surgery procedures using laser (EVLT) or heat (RF) to close off a vein can also damage surrounding soft tissue, including muscles, tendons, nerves, and most commonly the skin.  Other minimally invasive procedures, including VenaSeal, Varithena, and sclerotherapy, could cause an allergic reaction to the medications used in the procedures.

Side effects of more invasive varicose veins surgery, like vein stripping and phlebectomy, sometimes include bleeding, scarring, swelling, and infection

Most varicose veins surgeries  go well and as expected, but there is always also the outside chance of an unwanted or unexpected side effect or complications.

Varicose Vein Surgery Costs

Varicose veins surgery cost depends on the number of veins that need to be treated and the type of treatment being used.   

Sclerotherapy treatments tend to cost less than other minimally invasive treatment options, and range  from $300-$500 for Medicare and HMO insurance and $400-$700 for PPO insurance per treatment session. 

The cost of the other minimally invasive  treatment ranges from $1100-$1500 for Medicare and HMO insurance and $1800-$2400  for PPO insurance per vein treated. 

Because they are more invasive varicose vein surgeries, vein stripping and phlebectomy are more expensive treatment options, ranging from $2000-$3000 for Medicare and HMO insurance and $3000-$5000  for PPO insurance per vein treated. 

Varicose veins surgery costs will vary based on your deductible and out of pocket expenses owed.