What are Varicose Veins (Unilateral)

A varicose vein is a superficial (close to the surface) vein lying under the skin. It has swollen because of overspill of blood from veins running deep in the muscles of the legs. This happens because certain valves that allow the blood to flow from the superficial to the deep veins of the leg and not the other way around are not working any more. Varicose veins may cause no symptoms. However, most patients experience problems such as itching, aching and a feeling of heaviness in the legs. Less frequently, varicose veins can cause bruising and swelling and can get clotted. Rarely they can also be the cause of leg ulcers.

The Operation

Usually, the main feeder vein to the varicose veins is tied off through two small cuts - one at the groin and one below the knee - and is then removed. There are many ways of doing the operation and you can ask your Surgeon for details of his method. The most frequently used method is the passing of a special wire through the cut in the groin into the vein followed by stripping of the vein. Sometimes another feeder vein behind the knee has to be tied off as well using a similar procedure as for the main feeder vein. Following that, smaller varicose veins are removed through tiny cuts dotted down the leg. Your operation will either be a day case, where you come into hospital on the day of the operation and go home the same day, or a non-day case, where you are in hospital for one night. A general anaesthetic is given so that you will be asleep during the operation. Local anaesthetic may be injected into the groin as well as into the other smaller cuts on your skin to make them pain free when you wake up.