Micro-Phlebectomy Leg Vein Removal | Leg Vein Center NJ

Micro-Phlebectomy Leg Vein Removal

Micro-phlebectomy is a varicose vein treatment used to treat certain types of varicose veins. The word "phlebectomy" literally means removing the vein. When someone speaks of "leg vein removal", that's exactly what this procedure does. The day of the procedure, your leg will be marked where the veins bulge out. Then, a special local anesthetic is injected into the area surrounding your leg vein. The doctor will make tiny incisions of about 1-2mm - the size of a ball-point pen tip - and use a crochet-type hook to "grab" the vein and remove it. This interrupts the vein, causes any remaining portions of the vein to atrophy, and gets rid of those unsightly bulgy areas!

What if I need those veins?

You may wonder, "what if I need those veins later? Suppose I need bypass surgery?" If the veins were functioning normally, then yes, you might need them later! But since the veins are dilated and not working properly, they are doing more harm than good. Heart doctors don't use varicose veins for bypass surgery for that very reason! In fact, leg vein removal leaves the healthy veins in the leg for use in open heart surgery, if needed.

Does it hurt?

Most patients say that the procedure does not hurt at all. You will feel the pin prick of the needle as we inject the anesthetic, but then the area is instantly numb. You will not feel any of the micro-incisions. You will not feel pain from the leg vein removal. We will give you some prescription-strength ibuprofen to help you for the first day or two, but the vast majority of patients require only over the counter ibuprofen to keep them comfortable. Rarely will patients require a stronger pain-killer after the procedure, which is why these varicose vein treatments can be done in our office, rather than in the hospital.

Will there be scarring?

You'll be pleased to know that the incisions are so tiny, that scarring can't be seen. Most patients can barely see their incisions four to six weeks after the surgery. Compared to the "railroad tracks" associated with traditional leg vein removal, the scars from the varicose vein treatment are practically non-existent.

How much down time or recovery time is needed?

The recovery time for this leg vein removal procedure is negligible. You will need to take it easy for the first 48 hours, but walking is encouraged to promote healing - you will walk out of the office! After the first two days, normal activities are resumed. Only strenuous exercise is discouraged for the first week to ten days, as are swimming and hot tubs. After that, it is business as usual!

We serve patients from New Jersey and New York. We cover many New Jersey towns: Florham Park, Millburn, Hanover, Morristown, Livingston, Short Hills, East Hanover, West Orange and other surrounding towns.