Vein Ligation and Stripping

Vein ligation and stripping is generally done on large Reference varicose veins Opens New Window. It also can be done to prevent Reference venous skin ulcers Opens New Window from returning after treatment. This surgery may be used when:

• You want to get rid of varicose veins for cosmetic reasons and you don't have other health problems that would make surgery more risky.
• Your legs ache, swell, or feel heavy, especially after prolonged standing.
• A varicose vein bleeds.
• Open sores (ulcers) develop because of varicose veins or poor blood circulation in a vein.
• The vein is damaged in the section where it joins the superficial and deep veins in the knee or groin.

If you have both small and large varicose veins, you may have more than one type of treatment. Following vein ligation and stripping to treat large varicose veins, you may have Reference sclerotherapy Opens New Window to treat smaller varicose veins.

Who should not have ligation or stripping

Vein ligation and stripping should not be done in:

• Older adults for whom surgery poses a high risk due to other medical conditions.
• People who have poor circulation in the arteries of the legs.
• People who have swelling and fluid buildup due to blockage in the lymph vessels (Reference lymphedema Opens New Window), skin infections, or blood-clotting defects.
• Women who are pregnant.
• People who have an abnormal passageway between an artery and vein (arteriovenous fistula) in the leg.

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