Is vein varicose treatment better with injections or surgery?

Written by Zhang Xue Min
Vascular Surgery
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Venous sclerotherapy involves injecting a sclerosing agent and is a relatively good and minimally invasive treatment method. Its advantages include being minimally invasive and even suitable for outpatient surgery, with low costs. However, there are drawbacks; one is that the medication might enter the deep veins, causing deep vein thrombosis. If the dosage is too large, it could reach the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism. Additionally, the medication might seep into surrounding tissues, causing inflammatory reactions. Some patients may experience temporary hyperpigmentation. Surgical treatment is a more traditional method, but it depends on the specific situation. Generally, it causes more trauma than sclerotherapy and usually requires some level of anesthesia. Surgery entails a certain amount of blood loss, and like other methods, it cannot prevent recurrence.

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Written by Chen Feng
Urology
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How is varicocele treated?

The treatment of varicocele depends on the severity of the condition. Clinically, some varicocele patients do not exhibit obvious symptoms, or show no symptoms at all and are only diagnosed during physical examinations. These patients can generally be treated conservatively by avoiding standing for long periods, avoiding prolonged walking, and by wearing tight underwear to alleviate symptoms of varicocele. However, some patients with varicocele do exhibit clear symptoms, including discomfort and pain in the scrotum on the affected side, especially after long periods of walking. These symptoms can become more severe and may also be accompanied by abnormalities in semen quality. These patients generally require surgical intervention, such as high ligation of the veins.

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Written by Zhang Xue Min
Vascular Surgery
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What are the dangers of bruising due to varicose vein rupture?

When varicose veins rupture and cause bruising, if the area is small, it may be absorbed on its own. If the area is large, or if there is a certain degree of fluid accumulation, this fluid can potentially lead to infection, especially if the patient has diabetes or is using steroids, which may cause the accumulated blood to become infected. Additionally, after the absorption of a bruise, some patients may experience local pigmentation. This occurs because the iron-containing hemoglobin from metabolized red blood cells remains in the area, leading to a change in color. In severe cases, if the discoloration recurs, it may darken, and further development in some people might result in the skin becoming rougher and potentially ulcerating.

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Written by Chen Feng
Urology
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What are the symptoms of varicocele?

The symptoms of varicocele vary depending on the severity of the patient's condition. Clinically, most varicocele patients have no obvious symptoms or no symptoms at all, and varicocele is often discovered during physical examinations. A small percentage of varicocele patients exhibit noticeable symptoms. The primary symptom is a feeling of heaviness or discomfort in the testicles, especially after prolonged walking or standing. The pain becomes more pronounced, but it will decrease or even disappear after lying down and resting. Some varicocele patients may not show symptoms but present with infertility. Varicocele is then discovered through physical examinations or related medical tests.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Can bilateral varicocele be cured?

After the occurrence of varicocele, some patients may experience a feeling of heaviness and pain in the scrotum, which is often more apparent after prolonged standing, sitting, or intense exercise, and gradually alleviates after lying down and resting. During physical examination, tortuous veins similar to earthworms can be felt inside the scrotum. A color Doppler ultrasound examination is needed for further clarification. For bilateral varicoceles, it is currently curable. The main treatment method is surgical intervention, such as laparoscopic high ligation of the spermatic veins on both sides. This surgical approach is a minimally invasive procedure and the surgical outcomes are quite definite. Generally, a recovery period of 3-6 months after surgery is expected before complete recovery.

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Written by Zhang Xue Min
Vascular Surgery
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What is the cause of pain in varicose veins?

Varicose veins can sometimes cause localized pain, and there are several reasons for this pain. One reason is the formation of blood clots in the varicose veins, which can cause very obvious pain. Additionally, the affected area feels harder, not soft. When we say soft, it's like the softness of one’s lips; if it feels like the tip of the nose or the forehead, then it's considered very hard. In such cases, it indicates that the vein is not empty but contains a solid blood clot, which can cause pain. Another situation is if there is poor venous return in the proximal segment, causing the veins to fill significantly in a short time. This can also pull on the nerves outside the vein wall, leading to a sensation of pain.