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Is endovenous ablation a good solution for swollen legs ? Are there any other solutions? And where can they be done in Beirut ?
May 3, 2013

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
Leg swelling (edema is the medical term) can result from various causes: lymph vessels blockage, heart failure, liver failure, and varicose veins. Varicose veins are basically veins that have malfunctioning valves (normally leg veins are equipped with one way valves that pump the blood upward against gravity to the heart to help normal blood circulation) so blood pools in these veins and they dilate. Endovenous ablation is a procedure performed on large veins and consists of an emission of laser or radio frequency from a catheter to burn the vein; after burning the vein closes and the blood is redirected to nearby healthy veins. It's an effective procedure, non invasive, leaves no or minimal scarring, allows you to resume your regular activities within a short time, and causes little pain. Downsides include: vein inflammation (thrompbophlebitis) so you take anti inflammatories for that; may need surgery (vein stripping) for small veins and veins with lots of bends and turns (tortuous veins) because those cannot be removed with this technique because they cannot be reached with the catheter. You also may need to wear special stocking after the procedure.
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