Vein centre

In our veins and vascular centre the various venous diseases can be treated with the most up to date methods.

• What causes varicose veins?
• What is the result?
• What are the most common varicose vein diseases?
• What treatment options are there?
• You can make an appointment here

What causes varicose veins?

A major cause of this disease is a weakness of the connective tissue with weakening of the vein wall. In most cases, this is innate. Suffering is mainly intensified by obesity, prolonged standing, pregnancy and lack of exercise.

What is the result?

The expansion of the vein results in a “sinking” of the blood to the legs. The consequential damage becomes noticeable as “heavy legs”, tingling sensations, swelling of the ankles after prolonged standing or in the evening. Left untreated, the disease can be transferred to the deep veins and develop into the final stage, the clinical picture of open sores (ulceration).

What are the most common varicose vein diseases?

• Trunk varicose veins

In trunk varicose veins, one of the so-called saphenous veins is affected. (Anterior saphenous vein: inside of the thigh and leg; rear trunk vein: back of the lower leg). If untreated this can cause painful complications and lesions and eventually venous ulceration.

• Branch varicose veins

This form of varicose veins often occurs in conjunction with trunk varicose veins and optically irritates depending on the extent, functionally depending on propagation.

• Spider varicose veins

These are very small, dilated veins in the skin. These usually have only cosmetic significance, although they may indicate an invisible trunk varicose vein.

What treatment options are there?

• Open surgical procedures

In this surgery, a small incision is made in the groin and the varicose vein is supressed and severed in the region of its junction with the deep vein. With the help of a probe, the diseased portion of the vein is then pulled out (stripping). Further small incisions are used to remove the extended side branches. The procedure is performed either as an outpatient or inpatient.

• Endovenous radiofrequency treatment (VNUS closure)

Under ultrasound guidance a radiofrequency probe (VNUS) is introduced through a puncture into the extended trunk vein. This is then sealed in the withdrawal procedure by the heat of 120° C occurring at the probe tip. The protein structure of the vein wall is thereby destroyed and the vein shrinks in the treated section. A stable closure clot forms in the centre. This technique is particularly suitable for the saphenous vein of the thigh to below the knee. It is frequently combined with other methods (sclerotherapy, miniphlebectomy). In principle, the procedure can be carried out with general anaesthesia, but also under local or regional anaesthesia.

Endovenous radiofrequency therapy does not lie within the scope of the statutory health insurance. Therefore on indication or treatment request, the patient must negotiate with their health insurance on an individual basis or apply for a cost transfer.

The procedure is performed outpatient or inpatient.

• Sclerotherapy (obliteration)

By means of injecting a sclerosing agent into the varicose vein, an artificial phlebitis is provoked that leads to conversion of the enlarged vein into connective tissue. This method is preferred for branch and spider veins, for cosmetic reasons. The sclerosing agent can be foamed, whereby the effect is intensified (foam sclerotherapy). In severe and extensive findings several treatments are required, because the amount of sclerosing drug used must be limited each time.

Sclerotherapy falls under individual health services (IGeL), which does not belong to the scope of the statutory health insurance except for medically justified exceptions.

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Anaesthesia is not necessary.

• Stocking compression

For all the described treatments of varicose veins, a compression treatment is recommended for 1-2 weeks with support stockings of a specific compression type. These are prescribed individually and in most cases should be thigh length.

Patient flyer (PDF)
Phlebologie Guide

You can make an appointment here

Centre for Vascular Medicine and Polyclinic of the Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Ismaninger Str. 22
D-81675 München
Tel.: 089 4140-6666

If you have already had tests, please bring these to your appointment, gladly in CD format if available.