Stab Phlebectomy Leg Vein Surgery For Varicose Veins
Stab phlebectomy (i.e. microphlebectomy) is a very traditional but effective vein treatment surgery that is used to treat larger varicose vein branch tributaries of the legs. Varicose veins are the blue bulging veins that abnormally appear at the surface of the legs just beneath the skin. These varicose veins are not only unsightly, but they often cause discomfort as well. Leg varicose veins tend to always worsen with time. Although there are many types of treatments for varicose veins, including non-surgical options, this traditional vein surgery is a very effective therapy with large varicose veins of the legs. We offer other modern non-surgical options such as Varithena treatment as well.
More Information About Stab Phlebectomy
Stab phlebectomy is also known as micro-phlebectomy due to the fact that the incisions made on the skin to remove the veins are very small. Another synonym is hook phlebectomy. This type of procedure (surgical removal of varicose veins) has been around since the 1800s. But with the development of high power magnification lenses (known as surgical loops) and smaller instrumentation, it has become possible to remove the veins through a much smaller incision than utilized in the past. This in turn leads to smaller scars and better cosmetic results. Therefore, stab phlebectomy is still utilized routinely by vascular surgeons to treat varicose vein disease of the legs.
Typically, stab phlebectomy is utilized for the treatment of larger varicose veins that are not amendable to newer technologies. This procedure is performed for symptomatic varicose veins as well as for cosmetic surgery to improve the appearance of the legs. Smaller varicose veins are often treated with a combination of radiofrequency energy, laser energy, or sclerotherapy.
Traditionally the stab phlebectomy procedure was performed in hospital operating rooms by vascular surgeons. But in the modern era, most of these procedures are performed by vascular surgeons/vein surgeons in an office-based surgical suite or in an outpatient surgery center. Our doctors perform these procedures in our office procedure suite as well as in the local surgery centers.
Sometimes stab phlebectomy is mistakenly referred to as vein stripping. Vein stripping actually refers to the removal of a deeper trunk vein in the leg that is known as a saphenous vein. Due to newer vein technologies, such as endovenous laser therapy and radiofrequency vein ablation, it is a rare situation that vein stripping is needed.
Our board-certified vascular surgeon has many years of experience performing all types of vein procedures, including vein surgical interventions. Dr. Gotvald has performed hundreds of these phlebectomy procedures with excellent cosmetic results and very high patient satisfaction ratings. Please contact our vein center to schedule a no-obligation MD consultation to discuss stab phlebectomy surgery. You can use our email contact option or call us at (512) 220-5401.
