High Ligation Surgery
Vein ligation is a surgical procedure that is used to treat large and small varicose veins that are caused because of faulty valves within the vein and helps relieve leg pain and leg cramps that are associated with varicose veins. High Ligation as it is often referred to was very popular before the minimally invasive RF and laser devices were developed.
Dr. Darling perfoms this procedure in our office under local anesthesia. It involves a small groin incision. The tissue is dissected down to the Great Saphenous Vein where it meets the common femoral vein. The Great Saphenous Vein is then tied off with suture.
The idea is to sever the connection between the Superficial veins (Great Saphenous Vein) and the deep veins (Common Femoral Vein). If the superficial vein in the leg is large in diameter it may not respond fully to endovenous ablation. High ligation ensures complete treatment of the superficial vein in the leg.
If the ligation is unsuccessful in reducing or eliminating the flow of blood through a disease vein, and the remaining vein under the point of ligation is also faulty, and shows multiple damaged valves, then a procedure called Vein Stripping surgery will follow, and that vein is then removed from the leg. The doctor may find the need to ligate and tie off several veins in the area and let healthy veins re-route the blood as needed.