“Are nerve injuries common with vein stripping?”
I'm 42, and I have issues with varicose veins and I'm trying to see the options for getting them removed. I'm considering vein stripping, however, I also saw something about nerve damage with it. Is this a common complication of vein stripping?
6 Answers
Vein stripping is rarely performed these days. Phlebectomy- a small version of stripping is done for varicose vein branches under the skin. Before doing this, we generally perform ultrasound and determine if the main vein feeding into these varicose branches needs to be treated with laser, radio frequency ablation, glue or foam injection. Nerve injury risk is up to 5%. You should see your local vascular surgeon for evaluation
Open vein stripping is rarely done today. Most often they are treated in the outpatient office based setting with what is known as of ablation. If your doctor does not offer that she should seek a second opinion.
Nerve damage is certainly an issue with vein stripping or with microphlebectomy. But it is usually a minor issue with just sensory damage, causing a small area to be asensate, or it can cause burning to a small area. The discomfort usually lasts only weeks or months.
Only 1 or 2% of patients have neuropathy following vein surgery.
VNUS closure has a notorious history of causing neuropathy in the leg below the knee, it I’ve performed the operation hundreds of times, and had no problem with it.
Only 1 or 2% of patients have neuropathy following vein surgery.
VNUS closure has a notorious history of causing neuropathy in the leg below the knee, it I’ve performed the operation hundreds of times, and had no problem with it.