1) What are Varicose Veins?
These are dilated veins of the legs which are very common and besides being Cosmetically ugly can cause swelling of the legs pain and tiredness. This is a genetic condition and is not related to weight or exercise. A job involving prolonged standing can aggravate the condition.

2) Do Varicose Veins require treatment?
These dilated veins are always abnormal and will over a period of time, if untreated lead to further complications like bleeding, eczema around the lower leg with itching and blackish discoloration and also ulcers which do not heal. So Early treatment of the condition is recommended so as to reduce the chances of complications some of which are irreversible.

3) Do all case of varicose veins require surgery?
No, in the modern context almost no case of Varicose veins require hospitalization and surgery - A majority of minor varicosities can be treated with micro injection Selerosant solution or by laser therapy. However these may be a few cases which came at a very late stage and may require the conventional surgery of removal of the diseased veins.

4) How effective is the treatment?
98% of patients can expect complete relief of all symptoms following treatment. Cosmetic results for spider veins and telengactiasis is usualy effective in all cases.
Badly affected cases with existing complications can expect relief of all Symptoms in 70% of cases.

5) Are diseased varicose veins an important path for return of impure blood to the heart?
No, these veins are not functioning as one way conduits and the blood is either stagnating or leaking back, preventing normal circulation in the leg. Treatment of the condition by removal or obliteration of these diseased veins will stop this reversal of circulation and improve the blood supply of the affected limb.

6) Is there a risk of deep vein thrombosis when sclerosant is injected into the Superficial vein?
There is no risk of this taking place as the obliteration of the vein can only take Place if the sclerosant is in high concentration. This only takes place in the stagnant circulation of the diseased vein. Once the drug enters then normal deep venous circulation it is diluted and carried away in the flow and causes no harmful effects.

7) What are the complications of treatment?
There are fortunately no major known complications of either Sclerotherapy or laser. Reaction to the sclerosant is so rare as to be almost unknown, itching and minimal inflammation may take place along the vein but usually cures itself in 7-10 days. Treatment of large varicosity may lead to mild swelling of the leg for 4-6 weeks which is easily controlled with stockings.

8) Does removal of these veins affect coronary artery bypass surgery later?
No, these diseased veins cannot be used as conduits for bypass surgery as the lumens are not healthy. In any case the conduits now used are mainly arterial and so will not be affected by the absence of superficial veins of the legs.

9) How can we make and appointment at the Vein Clinic of South Mumbai?
One can ring up the clinic on Tel No. 022 -022040164 and take an appointment with the secretary at the clinic.
Dr. Somaya can be directly contacted in case of emergency on his mobile Tel No - 9821111117 or at his residence at 022 23851718.