SEPS FAQ :
What is A Venous Ulcer?
A venous ulcer is an open sore or wound on the surface of the skin caused by problems with the veins, or venous system. Venous Ulcers usually occur on the inside of the lower leg in the ankle area.
What Causes a Venous Ulcer?
A venous ulcer can result when a valve or calf muscle does not work properly and causes the blood to backflow. This is called "reflux." Backflowcauses increased pressure in the vein and the surrounding tissure. The leg becomes swollen from this increased pressure.
Also, this pressure causes skin changes. The skin can become discolored, darker, tight, shiny, and hard.
If an external injury, bump, or even a slight scratch affects this damaged tissue, an ulcer can form.
An ulcer is very hard to heal because of the underlying pressure caused by swelling. skin changes prevent oxygen and nutrients from reaching the skin surface to help heal the ulcer.
What treatments can help my venous ulcer heal?
There are several non-surgical treatments that can help reduce swelling and heal the wound including: elevation, leg positioning, stretch wraps, Unna boots, multi-layer wraps, compression stocking, and compression pumps.
However, because these treatments do not address the underlying disease, many alteratives must be used everyday for an entire lifetime. If proper treatment is not followed strictly, the ulcer will not heal or new ulcers may develop. There are also surgical alternatives which can help heal the wound.
What is SEPS?
Seps is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat the underlying condition that causes venous ulcers. During SEPS procedure, abnormal perforator veins are disconnected. Abnormal perforator veins have improperly functioning valvesthat can cause ulceration. By disconnecting these abnormal veins, blood flow is redirected to healthy veins. This improves circulation in the leg and leads to ulcer healing.
What are the benefits of SEPS?
By Addressing the underlying cause, the SEPS procedure may:
- Enable the ulcer to heal in a relatively short period of time (4 to 8 weeks)
- Reduce the chance of developing new ulcers
What Happens before surgery?
Before the procedure, a technician may use an ultrasound machine and a marking pen to map on your leg the location of the veins that are not working properly.
Before the procedure begins, you are given general, spinal, or local anesthesia to ensure you will not feel pain during the surgery. You and your doctors will discuss which is best for you.
What happens during surgery?