Varicose veins or venous insufficiency, which causes premature fatigue, swelling, and non-healing wounds in advanced stages, especially in the legs, is a treatable problem. While genetic factors play the most important role in the development of the disease, it is more common in occupational groups that require standing for long periods of time and in individuals who do less sports, indicating that lifestyle is also an important factor. The treatment approach varies at different stages of the disease. While compression stockings, sports activities and the use of some veno-active drugs are generally sufficient in the early stages, interventional methods are often required in advanced stages. The main pathology in the development of varicose veins is that the pressure in our superficial veins is higher than it should be. The most important reason for this situation is that the blood in the vein cannot overcome gravity and move upwards, that is, towards the heart. Therefore, the blood remaining in the vein causes an increase in pressure, causing an increase in the diameter of the leg vein and its side branches. This increase in diameter in the superficial vein disrupts the functioning of the valve structures within the vein over time, causing the disease to progress more rapidly. In the late stages of the disease, blood trapped in the vein may clot, causing blockages and serious complications. Varicose veins can be seen in all veins in our body, but they are most commonly seen in the leg veins, which have to work hardest against gravity. Unless the blue-green capillaries seen in the early stages of the disease do not pose a serious aesthetic problem for patients, patients generally do not consult a doctor during this period. However, aesthetic procedures such as sclerotherapy applied to destroy these capillaries, compression stockings and drug therapy, etc. It should be kept in mind that the risk of recurrence is high unless supported by appropriate methods. Because the main purpose of varicose vein treatment is to reduce the pressure in the vein. In the moderate stages of the disease, complaints of swelling in the legs and around the ankles may be observed, especially after prolonged standing or long journeys. Patients usually describe this situation as 'a distinct sock mark'. At this stage, your doctor must perform an ultrasound examination to detect the disease. Depending on the results of ultrasound examination, different treatment options may be applied. Which treatment will be applied is decided according to the degree to which the patient's complaints affect the quality of life, the vessel diameter and 'blood backflow rate' measured in ultrasound examination. In the advanced stages of the disease, leg edema and leg pain are the most important complaints. During this period, as there is a significant expansion of the main superficial veins and their branches, bulging vascular structures called 'pake' have become visible. Clotting within the pachytene structures and, rarely, bleeding are complications that can be seen during this period. Again, at this stage, due to impaired leg circulation, black discoloration, especially around the ankle, and wounds that open spontaneously but heal over a long period of time may be observed. Failure of the patient to receive professional support at this stage may lead to much more serious consequences. Surgical Treatment Method Surgical treatment methods can be categorized as open and closed methods. Open varicose vein surgery (Stripping) is based on the principle of complete removal of the diseased superficial vein and its side branches. In this technique, approximately 3-4 cm incisions are made in the groin and knee areas, the superficial vein is located, and the diseased area is ligated and removed. Expanded� � Side branches are tied and removed by making incisions smaller than 1 cm. In closed varicose vein surgery, the diseased vein is marked with ultrasound guidance and the vein is closed using a catheter advanced through the vein. With this method, different applications such as laser, adhesive and radiofrequency can be used to close the vein.
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