Varicose veins are a disease that affects approximately one third of the world's population, which is quite large. In this regard, the therapy of this pathology requires modern and effective solutions.
Medicine is developing, modern methods of treating varicose veins are appearing, which are less and less traumatic and invasive, which contributes to the rapid rehabilitation of the patient. Procedures of this type are performed in clinics.
How were varicose veins treated in the past?
The problem of varicose veins has accompanied humanity since the moment when he (man) became erect. It is known that not a single species of other mammals suffers from this pathology, so people have long struggled with it, for example:
- A cave painting has been found in the Sahara desert depicting people with bandaged feet and the painting is approximately 5, 000 years old.
- In the medical manuscripts found in Egypt there is information that it is not necessary to touch the dilated veins under the skin, but many healers still experimented with the wives of the pharaohs - they burned the diseased veins.
- Central and South American Indians used medicinal herbs, particularly amaranth, to treat varicose veins.
- Information about this pathology can also be found in the works of the Greeks (Hippocrates, Herophilus and Erasistratus). What is worth noting is that the first of these doctors developed conservative and surgical treatment methods.
- The Roman scientist Celsus used special hooks to fight the pathology (interestingly, the devices are still used today for the modern treatment of varicose veins, in particular, with miniphlebectomy).
- As for China, it was customary to fight diseased blood vessels with the help of leeches, acupuncture and cauterization.
- In Japan, special attention was paid to conservative treatment.
- It is not for nothing that the Middle Ages are called "dark", since in Europe there were many prohibitions regarding operations ("interference in the affairs of God"), and the affected veins, as a rule, were simply cauterized.
- At the same time, medicine was actively developing in the Middle East - for example, the famous doctor Avicenna tightly bandaged diseased vessels (which today is mainly used for prevention or rehabilitation).
- The Renaissance, the New Age - all this is a period of discoveries, including in medicine. Doctors are increasingly studying the principles of venous circulation. Scientists are developing different surgical methods, some of which are still used today, and new methods of sterile vein ligation are being created.
In the 20th century, the laser procedure began to be studied and new, more effective treatment methods were created. This process is still going on, without stopping for a minute. Of course, the way varicose veins are treated now is significantly different from how it was in ancient times.
Modern methods of treating varicose veins
The newest methods of treating varicose veins are the elimination and coagulation of various types - these are the least traumatic manipulations. Let's take a closer look at some types of modern methods of fighting varicose veins.
Endovenous laser coagulation
You can often find the abbreviated name for this method - EVLC. The principle of operation is as follows: a laser light guide, which heats the blood, is placed in the cavity of the diseased vein. As a result, the vessels are closed and for some time the vein turns into connective tissue. The process itself takes 20-30 minutes, after which you may only need to wear special knitwear for 40-60 minutes. Further conservative and compression treatment is determined by the doctor based on the medical history. This procedure can be performed on both lower extremities.
The advantages of this modern method of treating varicose veins are:
- duration - only 20-30 minutes;
- the manipulation does not require cutting, application or removal of sutures, as the procedure is performed through a puncture;
- painless (performed under local anesthesia) and safe;
- quick recovery (you can return to your normal life on the day of the procedure);
- minimal trauma, excellent aesthetic appearance after the intervention.
However, the treatment method also has contraindications, including:
- obesity in the legs;
- blood coagulation disorder;
- the extreme stage of the disease, for example, marked expansion of the vein, which may require surgery or combined therapy;
- severe atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities, which requires a special approach;
- intolerance to anesthetic drugs used in EVLT;
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- deep vein thrombosis in the acute phase;
- inflammation at the site of the lesion;
In addition, EVLT is usually not prescribed if the patient is unable to actively move after the manipulation, or if he has a disease that makes it impossible to wear special stockings to prevent bruising or any complications.
Radio frequency extinction
Another type of modern non-surgical treatment for varicose veins is radiofrequency ablation or RFO. The treatment is performed through the use of a radio frequency generator. Thus, the sound waves enter through a special catheter with radiation, which heats and then narrows the walls of the vessel.
It is worth noting that the vein is completely closed; after the procedure, it is enough to treat the place of manipulation with an antiseptic and apply a sterile bandage. The special feature of this method is that the procedure can be prescribed for heart and kidney diseases, and not only for varicose veins.
RFO has the following advantages:
- painless (local anesthesia is used during application), as well as safety;
- duration no more than 40 minutes;
- visible results after only 7 days;
- minimal trauma, excellent aesthetic appearance;
- complete "sticking" of blood vessels;
- high efficiency;
- the ability to use this method if the patient has other diseases;
- no additional surgical intervention is required.
There are also contraindications for using this procedure. Among them:
- inflammatory process at the site of the lesion;
- infectious and viral pathologies;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- vein thrombosis;
- severe atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities - as already indicated, this pathology requires surgical intervention;
- allergic reaction to anesthetics that will be used during the procedure.
In addition, a contraindication is the circumstance when the patient has a pathology that prevents him from wearing compression stockings.
Vanishing steam
This method is one of the newest in the history of medicine. The so-called "steam injection" combines EVLT and RFO. It is less invasive - compared to others - and is considered the most versatile of all today. As with the procedures described above, vapor elimination does not require additional hospitalization.
The most pleasant advantage of the method is the possibility of its use at any stage - very deep veins can be treated with this type of intervention. The fact is that the steam penetrates very quickly and without any special obstacles in the vessels, filling every bend in the veins.
The principle of the method is as follows: water under pressure is poured into a pipe, which is heated by electric current, and thus the water changes its structure, turning into steam, which enters the container, where it turns into water again. while the vascular walls absorb the heat generated by such simple manipulation.
Like the procedures described above, this manipulation does not take long. The patient recovers quickly and after completing the process and wearing the compression stockings for 30-40 minutes, he can return to the usual way of life.
Mechanical extinction
It combines a mechanical effect on the walls of blood vessels and the treatment of the patient with chemicals. After a small incision, a special catheter is placed at the site of the lesion. With its help, a device is introduced that damages the walls of the blood vessels, closing them. The manipulation is performed on the inner surface of the vein, and therefore does not require the use of anesthetics. At the end of the procedure, the puncture site is covered with a sterile bandage or napkin. In addition, the patient should wear compression stockings for 30-40 minutes.
Since the removal does not require anesthesia, this method may be indicated if the patient is intolerant to anesthesia. It is also recommended for people with a low pain threshold. In addition, this procedure can be performed even if the patient has trophic ulcers.
Fast rehabilitation, the ability to return to a normal lifestyle as soon as possible, minimal restrictions during the recovery period - all these are the advantages of the above method of therapy. The advantage of mechanochemical debridement is the reduced risk of infection due to minimal trauma.
Adhesive removal
Another procedure that may be recommended for patients with varicose veins is called adhesive obliteration. It is notable for the fact that after the manipulation is completed there is no need to wear special knitwear.
Like the other methods described above, this method does not require cutting: a special glue is injected into the lumen of the diseased vessel, which closes the inner walls and redirects blood flow through healthy veins.
This method of therapy can be prescribed to patients who have a complication of varicose veins (as a rule, it is clearly visible on the lower part of the leg). The intervention is also performed for patients with a large diameter of the affected veins (unlike the methods described above).
Which of the modern methods of treating varicose veins is the most effective?
All of the above methods of treating varicose veins are very effective, but each of them has its own characteristics, in which a specific procedure is recommended for a particular patient. If a person is contraindicated to wear compression stockings and/or has some complications from varicose veins, he will be prescribed adhesive sweep. If there is a possible allergic reaction to any anesthesia, a qualified specialist can prescribe mechanical wiping.
Also, the criteria for choosing the most suitable method for treating varicose veins are as follows:
- Safety, lack of adverse reactions.
- Efficiency.
- Duration of saving the result.
The last point is worth talking about separately, since this criterion is very indicative of one of the analyzes based on the results of 119 studies that compared RF, surgery, sclerotherapy and EVLT.
As a result, these results (indicators in percentage) show that:
- 5 years after the procedure, the effectiveness of EVLT increases from 92. 9 to 95. 4. When compared with RFO, the effectiveness of this method decreases over 5 years from 88. 9 to 79. 9.
- As for the results of surgical intervention, the effectiveness of this method decreases from 80. 4 to 75. 7 over 5 years. In the latter case, over 5 years you can also see a decrease in the effectiveness of sclerotherapy from 82. 1 to 73. 5, however, procedures such as, for example, surgery are usually prescribed in cases where it is impossible to use moreeffective treatment. varicose veins.
From the study we can clearly conclude that today the most progressive and effective method of treating varicose veins is EVLT, since unlike the other methods with which the comparison was made, its effectiveness increases over time, and not the other way around, it decreases. It is worth noting that the clinics perform all the procedures indicated in the article that can help the patient in the treatment of varicose veins.