Varicose vein disease is common among adults, with 10 per cent of women and men being affected significantly. The underlying cause is malfunction of the interior valves in blood vessels lying just below the surface of skin on the legs. As the vein walls stretch, the vessels lying just beneath the skin become highly visible, taking on a characteristic thick, bluish-purple appearance.
We provide a complete range of treatments for a number of vein disorders
Besides the unwanted cosmetic appearance, varicose veins can give rise to a variety of symptoms, ranging from intermittent ache or throbbing discomfort to itching and more severe pain. A proportion of patients left untreated will go on to develop brown discolouration of the skin, especially around the ankles, which can be the forerunner of venous ulceration.
No two patients with venous disease are alike. Recognising this, our vascular surgeons formulate a treatment plan unique to the individual. Clinical expertise and experience and the highest quality vascular imaging allows us to offer excellent care and treatment.
We provide a complete range of treatments for a number of vein disorders and each patient’s care is tailored to their particular needs and expectations.
Treatment options
Treatment of varicose veins attends to the underlying cause as well as doing away with the varicose veins themselves. Prior to undergoing treatment, all patients are assessed clinically by a Consultant Vascular Surgeon. After examination in the out-patient clinic, patients are further assessed with a special kind of ultrasound scan. This identifies what veins are involved, confirms the normal function of the leg’s deep veins, and indicates the most appropriate form of treatment.
Traditionally most patients would be offered an operation designed to remove the main vein trunks involved and deal with the varicose veins themselves. This is a highly effective treatment but involves anaesthesia and can cause some pain, delaying a patient’s return to normal activities.
New treatment
Nowadays our experts are able to offer less invasive means of achieving the same result. Instead of removing the vein trunks surgically, it is possible to use a laser passed up the inside of the vein to block it completely and permanently. Usually the varicose veins are removed at the same time through tiny 1-2mm incisions using a special hook. The advantages of this new technique are that no surgical wound is required at the top of the leg, patients experience less post-operative pain and many return to work far quicker than with traditional surgery, some within a few days. The results over time are very similar to traditional surgery and the cosmetic outcome is excellent.
Sclerotherapy
This technique involves injecting small amounts of a chemical directly into the vein. This causes the veins to wither and the leg is then compressed with a special stocking. This is very effective for minor, localised varicose veins and is conducted as an out-patient procedure.
Spider/Thread Veins
Spire Murrayfield Hospital also offers treatment for related conditions such as spider or thread veins. These are clusters of bluish veins that lie near the skin’s surface. These can be treated very effectively by a special microscopic injection technique.
Spire Murrayfield Hospital is the only private hospital in the south-east of Scotland where varicose vein disease can be managed in this comprehensive way.