Varicose veins in your legs can be removed by an operation called varicectomy. Varicose veins can be uncomfortable and many people do no't like the way they look. However these veins do not usually result in serious health problems.

If your valves of your veins do not close properly, you develop varicose veins. Valves only let blood flow in one direction through your blood vessels. But if the valves do not close properly, blood can trickle backwards and pool in your veins. This causes the unwanted bulging, twisted veins that you can see through your skin.

The faulty valves are usually found in one of the two large surface veins that run just under the skin along the length of your leg.

The major vein runs up your inside leg from your ankle to your groin. The other one runs up the back of your leg from your ankle to your knee.

Why is it important to remove varicose veins?

Improve the way your legs look
Help with symptoms such as swollen, aching legs
Treat or prevent problems such as bleeding or open sores (ulcers).

Surgical Ligation and Stripping - With this treatment, problematic veins are tied shut and completely removed from the leg. Removing the veins does not affect the circulation of blood in the leg.
Two small cuts are made, one in the groin at the top of the main vein affected (about 5 cm) and one just above your ankle (about 2 cm). The top end of the vein near your groin is tied to stop blood flowing through it, and a flexible wire attached to a special tool at one end is passed through the vein. The wire along with the vein, is carefully pulled out of the leg through the lower cut. Smaller veins are removed through several tiny cuts (about 5mm long) using a hook to pull them out. These cuts usually don`t need stitches, often get sealed with fabric strips. The cut in the groin is usually closed with stitches. Your legs will then be tightly bandaged.

Varicectomy is usually done in general or spinal anaesthesia. In most of the cases it may be performed in day surgery.

The procedure usually takes one to two hours, depending on the exact type of operation you are having and whether one or both legs are being treated

After surgery, blood can still flow up your legs because the deeper network of veins is left untouched. Under special circumstances varicosity develops secondarily due to blockage or narrowing of the deep femoral veins. In these cases varicectomy of the surface veins is contraindicated