the old approach:
Vein Stripping and Ligation
There are a number of options available for patients who need treatment of their varicose veins. Until recently, vein ligation and stripping was the standard for treating venous reflux in larger varicose veins.
These veins were treated by making an incision over the vein and tying off the vein. To strip a vein, incisions are made at the groin and near the knee and the vein is grasped and removed. Some common side effects from vein stripping and ligation surgery may include pain or discomfort, bruising, hematoma, numbness, and less frequently wound infection. While vein ligation and stripping are outpatient procedures, they are not usually done in the office setting since a general anesthesia is required. Since an incision is required in the groin, with dissection of the large veins of the groin, this is an operation that needs to be done in a formal operating room where vascular surgery can be performed if there are any difficulties with the dissection of the femoral vein. Recovery time is significantly longer for vein stripping compared to the newer endovenous techniques.
In recent years, physicians and companies have developed new techniques that are less invasive and that can be done in the outpatient setting. The two best known are radiofrequency ablation technique (the VNUS Closure Procedure) and the Laser technique (EVLT). There is some suggestion that the rate of varicose vein recurrence is significantly less with endovenous ablation of the saphenous vein, such as radiofrequency ablation, compared to traditional vein ligation and stripping.
>> For more information about vein ligation and stripping:
American College of Phlebology