McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
Phlebectomy, or microphlebectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove varicose veins.
Date posted — 24.09.24
Phlebectomy, or microphlebectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove varicose veins. During the procedure, small incisions are made in the skin, typically around 1-2 millimetres in size, to access and extract the affected veins. The veins are carefully removed using specialised tools. It is performed under local anaesthetic injections to simply numb the skin, as opposed to the general anaesthetic used in more major varicose vein surgery.
The benefit of phlebectomy or microphlebectomy is its effectiveness in treating visible varicose veins, particularly those that are large or protruding. The procedure typically results in minimal scarring and a relatively quick recovery time. Patients can usually resume normal activities within a few days, although some may experience mild discomfort, bruising, or swelling in the treated area.
Phlebectomy is often performed in conjunction with other vein treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or VenaSeal™, to achieve optimal results and comprehensive vein care.
Dr Alex Vesey is our expert consultant vascular surgeon who heads up our varicose vein team. Listen to him explain the microphlebectomy treatment.
Microphlebectomy might be a suitable option for you if you have visible, bulging varicose veins that are not adequately addressed by other treatments or if they are causing significant discomfort.
This procedure is especially effective for larger veins that are close to the surface of the skin. These visible veins near the surface are usually caused by deeper diseased veins, and so the first port of call is always to treat the deeper underlying cause – either using RFA or VenaSeal™ (or, in uncommon cases, surgery). Treating the deeper diseased veins may result in the smaller, visible veins improving over time. However, it is often necessary to add in an extra treatment for the superficial veins – which is where microphlebectomy is helpful.
The alternative to microphlebectomy is foam sclerotherapy. The benefit of microphlebectomy over foam is that it is a more guaranteed result because the vein is being physically removed. The downside is that it’s slightly more invasive, rather than just an injection.
Before: Before the procedure, you’ll have a consultation with a consultant vascular surgeon to identify the best treatment option or options for your particular condition. On the day of the procedure, you’ll be taken to our minor operating room and asked to lie on a bed. The nurse will then clean your leg and attach some sterile drapes.
During: The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, which numbs the area where the incisions will be made. You’ll remain awake and alert throughout the procedure, but you should feel little to no discomfort. Small incisions, usually about 1-2 millimetres in size, are made in the skin near the affected veins. Using specialised instruments, the doctor will gently remove the varicose veins through these tiny incisions. The procedure is guided by visual inspection and sometimes ultrasound imaging to ensure accuracy. Once the veins are removed, the incisions typically are so small they do not need a stitch and a simple plaster is applied. A compression stocking is then applied to help reduce discomfort and swelling.
After: After the procedure, you may experience mild discomfort, bruising, or swelling, but these symptoms generally resolve within a few days. You’ll be able to walk immediately after the procedure and can usually resume normal activities within a day or two. You will need to wear compression stockings for a week or two, and we will see you back in the clinic when you are healed to check on the final outcome.
Both phlebectomy and foam sclerotherapy are effective treatments for small, visible varicose veins, but they offer different benefits depending on the specific needs of the patient.
Phlebectomy is particularly beneficial for treating larger, more prominent varicose veins that are close to the surface of the skin. The main advantages of phlebectomy include its direct approach to removing the veins, which can provide immediate and visible results. The procedure involves making small incisions to extract the affected veins, and it is highly effective for veins that are resistant to other treatments.
Phlebectomy typically results in minimal scarring and a relatively quick recovery, with most patients resuming normal activities within a few days. It is especially useful for veins that are too large or complex for foam sclerotherapy to address effectively.
Foam sclerotherapy, on the other hand, is a less invasive treatment that involves injecting a foam sclerosant into the veins to cause them to collapse and eventually be absorbed by the body.
The advantages of foam sclerotherapy include its ability to treat multiple veins in one session and its non-surgical nature, which avoids the need for incisions. It is well-suited for smaller veins and can be effective for treating veins that are not as bulging or prominent. Foam sclerotherapy generally requires fewer sessions for smaller veins and has a shorter recovery time, with patients able to resume normal activities shortly after treatment. The main disadvantage of foam is that it usually requires multiple sessions.
Ultimately, the choice between phlebectomy and foam sclerotherapy depends on factors such as the size and location of the varicose veins, your overall health, anatomy and your treatment goals.
All of these factors are analysed as part of your initial consultation with our expert vascular surgeon to determine the best course of treatment for you as an individual. The first step is to fill in our online consultation form, and from there, our team will be able to arrange an initial consultation and ultrasound scan, and we can work together to create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
When it comes to treating varicose veins, VenaSeal™ has emerged as a revolutionary option that offers a minimally invasive and...
Foam sclerotherapy is an advanced form of sclerotherapy used to treat larger varicose veins, particularly those that may not respond...
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Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just under the skin, primarily in the legs and feet.
When it comes to treating varicose veins, VenaSeal™ has emerged as a revolutionary option that offers a minimally invasive and...
Foam sclerotherapy is an advanced form of sclerotherapy used to treat larger varicose veins, particularly those that may not respond...
There is no single "best" facial rejuvenation treatment - only the treatment that`s right for the individual patient.
For patients with more advanced facial ageing, significant jowls and loose skin of the neck, a deep plane facelift remains the gold standard. In the right hands, it can achieve results that more significant than what we can do with less invasive treatments.
This is one of our recent patients following deep plane face and neck lift surgery, performed by the incredibly talented @bramhallplasticsurgery. It`s always a privilege to work alongside Russell and see the exceptional results he consistently achieves.
One of the things I`m most proud of at McKeown Medical is that we`re a genuinely multidisciplinary team. We don`t believe every patient needs fillers. We don`t believe every patient needs surgery either. We offer injectables, lasers, minimally invasive procedures like the Quantum Lift, and facelift surgery because different patients, at different stages of the ageing process, need different solutions.
Our job isn`t to sell you a procedure - its to help you choose the right one.
If you want to have a conversation about which option is right for you, you can send us some pics by PM.
#DeepPlaneFacelift #Facelift #NeckLift #FacialRejuvenation #PlasticSurgery #AestheticMedicine #NaturalResults #McKeownMedical #Glasgow #PlasticSurgeon
I genuinely think the Quantum Lift is changing what is possible for patients who want to improve their jawline and neck, but do not want to undergo facelift surgery.
I have used earlier generations of skin-tightening technology and, honestly, I was often underwhelmed by the results. This is different.
By combining precise power-assisted liposuction, targeted treatment of the neck muscle where needed, and QuantumRF skin tightening, we can address the three things that most commonly age the lower face and neck: muscle, fat and skin.
This patient is shown just 24 hours after treatment. There is still swelling to settle, but the early change in her jawline and neck contour is already clear.
I have also included clips from the procedure for anyone who likes seeing the technical side of what we do.
Would you consider a minimally invasive alternative to facelift surgery for your jawline or neck, or would you rather go straight to surgery?
And this is why we LOVE combination treatments in the clinic!
Different parts of the face age in different ways. And even different layers of the same part sometimes age differently, which is why we often need to combine treatments to achieve the best overall effect for each patient.
This lovely patient first underwent some laser resurfacing to her eyelid area to take away the lines and wrinkles and tighten the skin. Then we used some HA to blend the contour below the eye and cheek. Finally, we addressed the lower part of the face and neck with some Sofwave to tighten the skin and Sculptra to give her more connective tissue support.
She is over the moon with her improvement. What do you think?
The biggest mistake I see after weight loss? People choose a treatment before understanding what`s actually causing their loose skin.
Not all "loose skin" is the same, which is why the right treatment for one person can be completely wrong for another.
If you`ve lost weight and aren`t sure which option is right for you, the first step isn`t choosing a device. It`s getting the right diagnosis.
Looking for some advice? Send us a DM to get started.
The Quantum Lift!
We introduced this new technique only a few weeks ago and, well, it’s going even better than expected. This is one of our patients before and immediately after. I always warn my patients that I cannot give them a surgical facelift result with a procedure that doesn’t involve cutting but honestly, in this case, I think we got pretty close to a facelift result and closer than I was expecting.
First we remove some fat from under the chin and jawline before the quantum goes in to tighten the skin. I have included a picture of the neck after the we had removed fat from both sides, but only applied the quantum to her right side. You can see how much difference there is when I try to pinch the skin. In the non-treated skin I skin still pinch an inch (or two) but on the treated side there is very little to pinch, because the tissues have shrunk down so much.
The patient tolerated the procedure very well under simple local anaesthetic without sedation and we had a nice chat throughout. Afterwards she had a cup of tea and then went home with her husband half an hour later.
I have been very excited about The Quantum Lift for a while, but I’m only getting more excited the more I do. I really believe this is a massive step towards an effective way to rejuvenate the lower face and neck whilst avoiding traditional facelift scars.
Everyone knows we do lots of sophisticated facial work in the clinic. But did you know we also now do a lot of breast work too?
This is one of our patients who wanted breast augmentation. She specifically wanted more upper pole fullness so Kavita selected a 325cc high profile implant from Mentor, but placed them under the muscle to give a more natural take off. Mentor are considered the gold standard for breast implant quality and we only use their implants in the clinic.
The patient is just a few weeks post-op, so there is still a little bit of settling to go but she is already delighted with the shape and size. The key to breast surgery is listening to the patients concerns and then tailoring the procedure to get them the result they want - which is something the very fabulous Miss Kavita excels at.
What do you think?
The SMAS Facelift is back at McKeown Medical!�
Patients tell us all the time that they want to get rid of their jowls and facial sagging, but are hesitant about a lengthy surgical procedure or taking several weeks away from work and social commitments. The SMAS Facelift is an excellent alternative for patients who want meaningful improvement without the bigger commitment. �
It`s a technique that lifts and repositions the deeper tissues of the face while removing excess skin. Until Deep Plane became more popular in the last 10 years, SMAS was the gold standard. Compared with Deep Plane, it takes about 3 hours instead of 6-8, can be done under local anaesthetic, has a shorter recovery, and lower risk of nerve injury. For many patients with moderate facial ageing, it produces excellent, long-lasting results at £12,000, all performed by the phenomenal @bramhallplasticsurgery.�
This is one of our patients who had a SMAS Facelift with eyelid surgery five years ago. She`s maintained her results with HA fillers, like many of our surgical patients do, but otherwise her results are still going strong. That`s what SMAS can give you.
Every face ages differently and every patient has different circumstances. Some need the extensive correction of Deep Plane, especially if they have a heavy neck. Others are better suited to SMAS, particularly if you want a less invasive option with quicker recovery.
The right choice depends on your anatomy, your concerns, and your lifestyle. If you’d like to know more about the SMAS facelift, drop your questions in the comments or send us a DM!
So here she is! The one we’ve all been waiting for 😍 This is Lorraine 5 days after her Quantum lift. She’s still at home recovering because she had her body done too (more on that soon), so she’s not been back in the clinic for proper after photos yet. But she’s already delighted and sending the dreamteam these selfies from home. She’s obviously still very early and a bit swollen, but I think we can all see where this is heading already! I’m very excited for Lorraine… and for all of our lovely patients who are already booked for Quantum. This is a game changer for loose skin!
Thank you to this lovely patient for allowing us to share her upper blepharoplasty results, by the phenomenal @bramhallplasticsurgery .
This patient is 62 and came to us feeling self-conscious about the heaviness and puffiness of her upper eyelids. She`d found herself regularly raising her eyebrows just to lift the skin away from her eyes and had noticed a shadow appearing when she looked upwards and outwards, which was beginning to affect her peripheral vision.
Heavy upper eyelids can really knock people`s confidence, especially in social situations and in photos, and yet it`s one of the most straightforward areas to address.
The procedure itself takes around 45–60 minutes and is carried out while patients are awake under local anaesthetic. The scars sit within the natural crease of the eyelid, making them almost impossible to spot once healed
This is just 2.5 months post-surgery, and her scars are already settling beautifully. They`ll continue to fade over the next 12 months.
What do you think?