Varicose veins need immediate treatment, say experts

Painful varicose veins, that are ignored by most patients, require immediate attention. Otherwise, it can even force amputation of the leg or foot, say experts.

Painful varicose veins, that are ignored by most patients, require immediate attention. Otherwise, it can even force amputation of the leg or foot, say experts.

A two-day symposium on the latest laser treatment for varicose veins was held in Chandigarh on August 9 and August 10 that was attended by over 200 vascular surgeons from India and abroad.

"Symptoms of this disease are swelling in the veins of legs and appearance of red and black scars on them. It is due to hereditary factors, wrong lifestyle and obesity. The patient's age-group varies from 16 to 87 years," Ravul Jindal, vascular surgeon at Fortis hospital, Mohali, told reporters in Chandigarh on Monday.

"During the conference we mainly focussed upon laser technique for treating varicose veins that no hospital in this region is using right now. The conventional way requires hospitalization, two to three weeks recovery time and leaves behind multiple cuts whereas this laser technique requires only few hours," he added.

Jindal introduced this laser technique at Fortis hospital in 2007 and has performed over 400 such surgeries in Britain.

Ted King, national medical director of Vein Clinics of America, Chicago in the US, said, "In the US, 85 per cent of our patients are usually women but men are also equally prone to this disease. They do not come to doctors due to ignorance as many times they consider it only a cosmetic disorder.

"We are happy to see the enthusiasm among Indian doctors about the treatment of varicose veins. In America no medical school is showing so much concern towards this field. We should understand that if this disease is not treated in time then it will also lead to amputation of the leg or foot."

Talking about the laser technique, King said: "The treatment involves puncture of a vein under ultrasound guidance and burning it using diode laser. It is very safe and painless. Patients can return home the same day compared to conventional surgery where they are hospitalized for four-five days."