Does Grade II varicose veins require surgery?

Written by Zhang Xue Min
Vascular Surgery
Updated on September 22, 2024
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In our clinical staging, Grade 2 varicose veins are the most common type of varicose veins. Often, these do not have complications and are relatively early-stage. The decision to undergo surgery depends on the patient's personal treatment preference.

Some individuals might be motivated by cosmetic reasons, such as wanting to wear skirts or shorts in the summer to show off their legs. In such cases, their desire for treatment might be stronger. For some older individuals, they might not care as much, so the choice of undergoing surgery or opting for conservative treatment for Grade 2 varicose veins really depends on the patient's own wishes.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What are the symptoms of varicocele?

If the patient has mild varicocele, they often have no symptoms and it is not easily detected; in such cases, no special treatment is needed. However, with moderate or severe varicocele, the patient may experience a dragging pain in the testicles, especially after intense physical activity, prolonged sitting, or standing, which makes the pain more pronounced. During a physical examination, twisted, worm-like clusters of veins can be felt within the scrotum. Patients with varicocele should undergo further routine semen analysis to assess if the semen quality is affected. If sperm quality is impacted, it could lead to a decline in male fertility, and surgical treatment should be considered when necessary.

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Written by Zhang Xue Min
Vascular Surgery
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What happens if varicose veins worsen?

Varicose veins, when they worsen, can lead to changes in the skin, including thickening of the skin which feels woody to the touch. Additionally, the skin may exhibit pigmentation that can be severe enough to resemble the black color of a belt. More seriously, ulcers can develop, typically near the inner ankle, though they occasionally appear in other locations. These ulcers are referred to medically as “boot ulcers” and are commonly known among the general population as “continuous sore legs.” In extreme cases, these ulcers may persist for many years without healing and could potentially become malignant.

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Written by Chen Feng
Urology
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What should I do about varicocele?

The treatment methods for varicocele vary based on the severity of the condition. Clinically, some patients with varicocele show no obvious symptoms and it is only discovered during a physical examination. These patients can generally be observed temporarily, and can also wear tight underwear or use a scrotal support to alleviate the condition. However, some patients do exhibit clear symptoms, such as a significant sensation of heaviness in the scrotum, especially after standing or walking for long periods, where the pain becomes more pronounced. These patients generally need to consider surgical treatment, where the main procedure involves high ligation of the spermatic vein. This can help alleviate symptoms and also improve the quality of semen.

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Written by Zhang Xue Min
Vascular Surgery
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What are the effects of secondary surgery for varicose veins?

If varicose veins recur, we need to carefully investigate the cause of the recurrence and rule out problems in the deep venous system. If there is an obstruction in the deep veins, recurrence can occur quickly even after secondary surgery on the superficial veins. If the deep veins are only involved in venous reflux, surgery can still be performed, but it is hoped that medical compression stockings will be worn for a period of time after surgery. Otherwise, there is still a possibility of recurrence after the secondary surgery.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What are the harms of varicose veins?

The harms of varicocele are mainly manifested in the following aspects. The first aspect is that varicocele causes a sensation of dragging pain in the testicles, affecting the patient's normal work and life. The second aspect is that due to the presence of varicocele, there is a decline in the quality of male semen, which affects male fertility. The third aspect is that if the varicocele is severe and persists for a long time, it may lead to testicular atrophy, resulting in a decrease in the level of testosterone secretion by the testicles, which reduces male sexual function. Therefore, patients with varicocele, especially those with decreased semen quality, should actively seek surgical treatment, which currently mainly involves high ligation of the spermatic vein.