Stab Phlebectomy
Removing bulging surface veins through punctures small enough that they need no stitches.
Stab phlebectomy, also called ambulatory or micro phlebectomy, removes bulging surface veins through a series of punctures about the size of a pen tip. A small hook lifts the vein out in segments. The openings are small enough that they close on their own without stitches.
This handles the ropey, visible veins sitting at the surface. Those branch veins are usually fed by a larger vein deeper down, so phlebectomy is most often done in the same session as ablation, after the source has been closed.
The area is numbed with local anesthetic, and the procedure takes about an hour depending on how many veins are being removed. You walk out the same day and wear compression stockings afterward. Bruising along the treated area for a couple of weeks is normal.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The things patients ask us most about stab phlebectomy, answered plainly.
No. The openings are small enough to close on their own, which is part of why this approach replaced the larger incisions used in the past.
Yes, and it usually is. Closing the underlying vein and removing the bulging branches in one session means one recovery instead of two.
A vein that has been removed is gone. Vein disease is progressive though, so other veins can become a problem later, which is why we follow up rather than treating you once and sending you off.
You will feel pressure and tugging rather than sharp pain, since the area is numbed. Soreness and bruising for a week or two afterward are normal.
When the veins are causing symptoms, generally yes. We verify your coverage before scheduling.
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