Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 6: Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen, and tortuous veins often appearing blue or dark purple. They happen when faulty valves in the veins allow blood to flow in the wrong direction or to pool.
More than 23 percent of all adults are thought to be affected by varicose veins. Approximately 1 in 4 adults in the United States is affected by varicose veins. And one in four patients with varicose veins end up with serious complications, if left untreated.
In severe cases, a varicose vein may rupture, or develop into varicose ulcers on the skin. These will require treatment.
Dr Irineu A Pereira, Consultant Cardiovascular and Chest Surgeon with two decades of surgical experience and having performed over 10,000 surgical procedures, answers various questions related to varicose veins treatment for the benefit of our readers.
What are Varicose Veins? And who are at risk?
These are enlarged, bulging superficial veins that can be seen beneath the skin in the legs or the thighs in people who are involved in occupations that require prolonged standing – teachers, policemen, cruise-line workers in the catering and housekeeping departments or even sales people and helpers in the supermarkets.
The risk is also higher in young men and women who come from a family with history of varicose veins. So if your father or mother has been a patient with varicose veins, chances are that you too may be having venous valve insufficiency which results in varicose veins.
What causes Varicose Veins?
Varicose Veins, irrespective of the cause, are produced by venous valve incompetence which basically allows blood to flow from top downwards i.e. from the groins to the legs and foot - instead of the normal way from the foot upwards.
Thus the blood gets stagnated in the legs, the vein pressure increases, the veins become bigger and the skin darker.
Not treated in time, it results in clotting of the veins, bleeding from the veins or the formation of non-healing leg wounds.
Do all Varicose Veins need treatment?
No. Not all. Treatment does not always mean surgery only. Treatment may be just the use of Medical Compression Stockings, Endovenous laser Ablation or Sclerotherapy.
Varicose veins may be entirely symptom-free and cause no health problems. Treatment in such cases is often for cosmetic purposes.
When symptomatic, varicose veins may cause ankle and leg swelling, heaviness or tension, aching, restlessness, cramps and itching. These are ideal candidates for an Endovenous Laser Ablation. Non-Healing Leg Venous Ulcers, Bleeding Varicose Veins and Vein Thrombosis are definite indications for an intervention either surgical or laser.
How important is treatment of Varicose Veins?
Varicose Veins are not just about someone’s veins looking ugly. It is not only a cosmetic problem, but a disease of blood circulation, wherein bleeding, clot formation, dark skin pigmentation, non- healing wounds; which can result in life-threatening complications.
Is it true that Varicose Veins do not get the attention and treatment that they deserve?
That’s a very easy one to answer. A big ‘No'. There are reasons on all sides. One is as stated that most patients see them as a cosmetic problem, and those who are not concerned about ‘looking good’; decide to ignore the problem. Second, there have been poor results due to inadequate treatments. Third, most costs are high, and out of reach of the common patients in present times.
So how do you expect to change the scenario?
The KISS Approach! Just like we did it in Goa. An experience of over 15 years, the best of technology, great packages to suit everyone, a simple and safe procedure that ensures that a patient walks within 30 minutes and spends not even a day in hospital.
What is a KISS Approach?
KISS, simply explained, is about simplifying solutions. Keep It Safe & Simple, is the full form of KISS. Be it in daily life, healthcare procedures or billing I believe that even modern technology-driven healthcare can be practiced in an affordable, safe, short-stay and compassionate manner. It was around ten years ago that we decided to adopt some combinations of laser, endoscopic surgical techniques along with regional analgesia in Goa. We are very comfortable with the procedures and very confident of our results with regards to my area of work that taking these procedures outside of Goa - with their very affordable pricing ; was inevitable.
Why Mangaluru?
Mangaluru is the hometown of my wife, Dr Preethi Miranda nee Pereira. It is appropriate that we spend more time with her family too whilst ensuring that our services also reach the needy and the deserving sections of people of Dakshina Kannada district and even North Kerala.
Secondly, the Mathais Prabhu family and the Colaco Hospital, Bendore, has been very supportive of my initiative for Mangaluru, and that has also gone a long way in drafting affordable cost packages for treatment.
What is the action plan for Mangaluru with regards to your services at Colaco Hospital?
First and Foremost, we want to make Endovenous Laser Ablation for Varicose Veins within the reach of every needy patient. Our services will launch with Varicose Veins Laser and Hybrid Treatments as the first of our three phases of healthcare treatments for Mangaluru.
In our second phase, we intend to launch treatment for arterial blockages except for heart diseases, while in the third phase, we will launch endoscopic treatments for chest diseases. We expect the three phases to be in place by end of 2020. We may however expedite the phases as per the local needs.
What is the reason for three phases?
We believe we need to have a strong foundation to build a real centre of excellence. A commitment to excellence cannot be just on paper, but in practice. I believe in growing steadily, and I am confident of being able to deliver consistent results. Every patient is important, and each and every life has my personal commitment to excellence. For me it is results, and not revenue that matters. I have to ensure that we even better our Goan results of 15 years.
What are the highlights of your Varicose Veins Treatments?
We offer the best in class German Biolitec 1470nm Double-Ring Radial Laser Fibre technology as Day-Surgery procedures. The patient walks half an hour after the procedure and goes home the same evening. We have performed over 2,000 such procedures in Goa itself. The simplicity of the procedures and the Express recovery meant that Goans based abroad and foreigners alike have constituted 40 percent of our Endovenous Laser Therapy procedures during their holidays in Goa.
What’s an Endovenous Laser Ablation for Varicose Veins?
An Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) involves insertion of an intravenous needle into the leg vein and guiding a laser fibre through it , upwards to the groin where the main vein valve is located and is incompetent - allows blow to flow away from the heart instead of flowing towards the heart. The laser heat then coagulated the leaking vein and makes it into a cord so that blood does not leak downwards while the deep or inner vein in the muscle carries the blood normally towards the heart.
When the process is completed, the laser fibre and the introducer needle is removed, a small plaster is applied and patient is transferred back to the room. The whole process normally takes around 20 minutes for a leg. The patient generally walks normally within 30 minutes, goes home the same evening and resumes his normal life the next day.
Address:
Dr Irineu Pereira
Good Shepherd Healthcare
218, Gera Imperium Grand
Patto Plaza, Panaji
Goa – 403001
Local Address:
Colaco Hospital,
Bendore, Mangaluru
Appointments online at www.irineupereira.com or WhatsApp 7744880022