Vein ligation and stripping: Overview
Vein ligation and stripping is a minor surgery. It is used to remove one or more varicose veins. These are twisted, swollen veins near the surface of the skin. They are most common in the legs and ankles. The surgery can also be done to prevent venous skin ulcers from coming back after treatment.
You may be asleep during the surgery, but it also can be done while you are awake. If you are awake, you will get medicine to numb your leg and prevent pain. The doctor will make small cuts in the area and then tie off (ligation) and remove the vein (stripping).
You will probably go home the same day as the surgery. You will need to take it easy at home for at least a few days after the surgery. How long it takes for you to recover depends on how many veins are removed.
After surgery, other veins in the legs will take over the work of the veins that are removed.
Why is vein ligation and stripping done?
Vein ligation and stripping is generally done on large varicose veins. It also can be done to prevent venous skin ulcers from returning after treatment. This surgery may be used when:
- You want to get rid of varicose veins for cosmetic reasons and you don't have other health problems that would make surgery more risky.
- Your legs ache, swell, or feel heavy, especially after prolonged standing.
- A varicose vein bleeds.
- Open sores (ulcers) develop because of varicose veins or poor blood circulation in a vein.
- The vein is damaged in the section where it joins the superficial and deep veins in the knee or groin.
If you have both small and large varicose veins, you may have more than one type of treatment. Following vein ligation and stripping to treat large varicose veins, you may have sclerotherapy or another procedure to treat smaller varicose veins.
How is vein ligation and stripping done?
The doctor will make a small cut (incision) at the top of the varicose vein near the groin and another small cut lower in the leg. These cuts are called incisions. The doctor will tie off (ligation) the vein to stop blood flow through it. Then the doctor will gently pull out the tied-off section of the vein through the incisions (vein stripping). If needed, the doctor also may make other small cuts along the leg to take out smaller varicose veins. The doctor will close the incisions in your leg with stitches or strips of tape.
If the ligation cuts off a faulty valve, and if the vein and valves below the faulty valve are healthy, the vein may be left in place. It will circulate blood through other veins that still have valves that work well.
After vein ligation and stripping: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have severe trouble breathing.
- You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have severe pain in your leg, or it becomes cold, pale, blue, tingly, or numb.
- Your foot or toes are numb, tingly, or blue.
- You have pain that does not get better after you take pain pills.
- You have loose stitches, or your incisions come open.
- You are bleeding a lot from the incisions.
- You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from your incisions.
- Pus draining from your incisions.
- A fever.
- You have symptoms of a blood clot in your leg (called deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Swelling in the leg or groin.
- A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish, depending on your usual skin color.
- You are sick to your stomach or cannot keep fluids down.
Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You are not getting better as expected.
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