Complications of endovenous treatment methods (EVLА and RFA)

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One of the main differences between our center and other clinics is that we always tell our patients only the TRUTH. That is why we are creating sections in which we talk about the complications after endovenous procedures in the treatment of varicose veins. Of course, the number and frequency of complications after EVLА and RFA is much lower than after open operations on the veins, but still these complications do happen, namely:

Еcchymoses, hematomas (from 10 to 35%) are the most frequent and quickly passing complications after endovenous procedures, bruises form at the sites of needle injections during tumescent anesthesia along the course of varicose veins. In most cases, they go away on their own, to speed up the process, you can use heparin-based ointments.

Hyperpigmentation and compaction along the occluded (soldered) vein (after EVLА up to 30%, after RFA 15%) is a change in skin color in the form of a “strand” along the sealed vein. It looks like a gray-blue “strip” along the inner surface of the thigh (BPV) or along the middle tibia (MPV). In most cases, hyperpigmentation takes place within 1-3 months, however, cases of hyperpigmentation up to 1.5 years have been noted.

Drawing pains or discomfort along the sealed vein (after up to 15%, after RFA up to 5%) can occur in the first 2-5 days, in most cases it depends on the individual pain threshold of each patient individually. It is stopped by taking Paracetamol 500 mg 1 time per day.

Edema or swelling (from 1 to 5%) of the ankle, lower leg or thigh can occur in the first 3-5 days after the procedure, associated with a local inflammatory reaction in the area of ​​the occluded vein

Thrombophlebitis or phlebitis (from 1 to 4%) are extremely rare complications, in most cases associated either with errors in the procedure for performing EVLK or RFA, or with a non-diagnosed systemic genetically inherited thrombophilia in the patient (tendency to thrombosis)

Paresthesia, sensitivity disorders (from 0 to 1%) is a rare complication due to the passage of the sensory nerves, during the heat treatment of the veins, damage to the nerve fibers occurs, which causes a temporary sensitivity violation

Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (single observations in the World) are extremely rare complications associated with gross errors in the conduct of EVLK or RFA, or with a non-diagnosed systemic genetically inherited thrombophilia in the patient (tendency to thrombosis)

Purulent complications (single observations in the World) develop when using non-disposable optical fibers for EVLK or probes for RFA, when the same instruments are repeatedly sterilized, when poor skin treatment before manipulations occurs.

These are world statistics, and we are not talking about complications, because we know how to prevent them, and in case of occurrence we can quickly cure them. Contact an AngioLife consultation and we guarantee you an excellent treatment result with a minimal risk of complications.

Author: Suzdalenko Alexander Viktorovich MD ©