What is Microphlebectomy
Micorphlebectomy, or stab phlebectomy, is a surgical procedure for varicose veins where the vascular surgeon makes small incisions over the varicose veins and physically remove them.
How is Microphlebectomy Performed?
Microphlebectomy is typically performed under local anesthesia where a small amount of numbing medication is injected over the varicose veins. Small, paper-cut like incisions are then made over the varicose veins, which allow subsequent surgical removal of the veins. When there is a chain of varicose veins, multiple skip incisions may be made to allow for removal of veins in segmental fashion. Below is an illustration of how this is done.
When are microphlebectomies performed over other minimally invasive techniques
Microphlebectomies are performed when the varicose veins are too large and/or too extensive for sclerotherapy to be effective. Sometimes, venous ablation such as laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation may be performed at the same time as microphlebectomies to treat both the source of the varicose veins and the varicose veins themselves. Your vascular surgeon will determine what kind of procedures will be most suitable for individual situation.
Does microphlebectomy require anesthesia?
If you have small amount of varicose veins, microphlebectomies can be done in the office with local anesthetics and it would not require anesthesia. For patients with extensive amount of varicose veins, we may choose to perform multiple microphlebectomies in the operating room under anesthesia for the patient’s comfort.