Microphlebectomy

Most patients will resume normal activities the day after their treatment. There will be some stiffness and soreness for a few days, but generally not enough to stop you getting back to normal activities. You should avoid strenuous exercise however for a couple of weeks until the wounds are fully healed.

Microphlebectomy is generally a safe procedure with a low risk of complications, but like any surgical treatment, some risks do exist. The most common side effects include mild bruising, swelling, and tenderness around the incision sites, which usually resolve on their own within a few weeks. In rare cases, patients may experience infection at the incision points, which can be managed with proper wound care and, if necessary, antibiotics.

Other potential, though less common, complications include bleeding, temporary numbness or tingling near the treated area due to nerve irritation, or skin discoloration. Very rarely, there is a risk of blood clots forming in deeper veins, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but this is uncommon with microphlebectomy. To minimise these risks, it’s important to follow the aftercare instructions we provide, including wearing compression stockings and staying active to promote healthy blood circulation.

Since microphlebectomy physically removes the vein at the time of the procedure, and doesn’t rely on them being absorbed by the body, there is no possibility of the vein coming back. However, it is possible to develop new varicose veins – particularly if there is venus reflux affecting the deeper veins in the leg. That’s why it’s usually necessary to have microphlebectomy or foam sclerotherapy in combination with another treatment like Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) or VenaSeal™ to treat the deeper vessels too.

During the procedure you should experience minimal or no discomfort thanks to the local anaesthetic. You may feel some tugging or pulling which can be an unusual sensation, but you should not feel any pain. When the local anaesthetic wears off you might feel a bit of soreness or bruising. We encourage you to continue moving around and walking as much as possible despite this. If required you can take some over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol, although most patients don’t feel this is required.