Why is this procedure done?
Doctors may use a vein in place of another blood vessel that is unhealthy. The procedure to remove the vein is called a vein excision. The doctor chooses a healthy vein. This will depend on what system or body part needs a vein graft. It often comes from a blood vessel in the leg. The doctor will most often do this procedure and replace the unhealthy vein during the same surgery. ‚
View OriginalView Original
What will the results be?
A healthy vein will be available for another procedure like a heart bypass operation. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- Ultrasound of your legs
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- When you are asleep, the doctors put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe.
- The surgery may be done in one of two ways:
- Open procedure ¢ ˆ ’ The doctor will make a long cut on your leg. Then, the doctor will be able to clearly see the vein. The small branches will be tied off. A special tool will be used to stop any bleeding. The doctor will take the vein out.
- Endoscopic procedure ¢ ˆ ’ Your doctor will make 2 to 3 small cuts in your leg. Both of these cuts are near the ends of the vein. A scope with a tiny camera is put through one of the small cuts to look at the vein. Your doctor will put small surgical tools into the holes to do the procedure. Then, the vein will be taken out.
- Your doctor will close your cut with stitches and cover it with bandages.
What happens after the procedure?
- The doctor will wrap your leg with bandages to lessen the swelling and prevent bleeding.
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may need to stay at the hospital until you have recovered from your procedure.
- The staff will help you begin to walk around. This will prevent blood clots.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure that you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- The doctor most often removes the vein as part of another surgery to fix the blood supply to another part of the body. Follow all of your doctors instructions for the other surgery.
- Wrap your wound with bandages or compression stockings.
- Keep your feet raised when you are sitting down. Prop your feet on pillows or a footstool.
- You may feel pain in your wound. Your doctor will give you drugs to relieve the pain.
- Take daily walks around your block. This may prevent blood clots.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Together you can make a plan for more care. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Scarring, if open procedure was done
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, more sputum or change in color of sputum, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain could be a sign that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs. Call for emergency help or go to the ER right away.
- Very bad numbness and tingling
- Trouble breathing
- Very bad dizziness
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚