Rajindra Hospital starts minimally invasive procedure for varicose veins

Tribune News Service
Patiala, July 21

To provide advanced and affordable healthcare, the Department of Surgery has started a minimally invasive procedure known as radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins at the Government Rajindra Hospital.

A workshop was held under the supervision of Dr Ashwani Kumar, head, Department of Surgery, to kick start the procedure. Vascular surgeons Dr Anil Luther and Dr Amit Mahajan from the CMC, Ludhiana, were invited for the workshop, who flagged the procedure.

“Varicose veins is tortuous dilatations of superficial veins of mainly lower limbs. They are quite prevalent in general population especially in professions requiring prolonged standing,” said Dr Ashwani.

“Since these dilated veins cause pain and discomfort and may also lead to skin changes, including venous ulcer in the long run, patients generally seek treatment for the same,” he added.

Earlier, doctors at Rajindra Hospital used to do classic open trendlenberg procedure as a treatment for the varicose vein, he said. Now, Rajindra Hospital had started a new minimally invasive technique of radiofrequency ablation, he added.

“This minimally invasive procedure costs Rs1 to Rs1.5 lakh in private hospitals due to high cost of the fibre. But, in Patiala medical college it is available at a negligible cost. Our aim is to provide the best and advanced surgical techniques to even those, who cannot bear hefty expenses,” he said.