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Transilluminated powered phlebectomy for varicose veins

 
Guidance issued
 
IPG Number: IPG37

Summary

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on transilluminated powered phlebectomy for varicose veins.

Description

Transilluminated powered phlebectomy is used to treat varicose veins. Varicose veins are a visible surface manifestation of an underlying syndrome of venous insufficiency.

Most patients with venous insufficiency have symptoms that may include feelings of fatigue, heaviness, aching, burning, throbbing, itching and cramps in the legs.

Transilluminated powered phlebectomy is intended as an alternative to traditional phlebectomy for symptomatic varicosities of the leg and as an adjuvant to surgical removal of the saphenous vein.

Transilluminated powered phlebectomy is performed under general, regional or local anaesthesia. An endoscopic transilluminator is inserted underneath the skin illuminating the vein clusters that need to be resected. A suction device with guarded blades (resector device) is then introduced via another incision at the other end of the varicose vein and the varicosities are cut and removed by suction. Once removal of the veins is complete a second stage anaesthetic is then injected to minimise bruising, pain and haematoma formation. The incisions are then closed with sutures or tape. The resector device can also be inserted through the first incision, minimising the number of incisions made during the procedure.

OPCS code:

L87.7 Transilluminated powered phlebectomy of varicose vein of leg

Excludes: Combined operations on varicose vein of leg (L84)

The NHS Classifications Service of NHS Connecting for Health is the central definitive source for clinical coding guidance and determines the coding standards associated with the classifications (OPCS-4 and ICD-10) to be used across the NHS.   The NHS Classifications Service and NICE work collaboratively to ensure the most appropriate classification codes are provided.  www.connectingforhealth.co.uk/clinicalcoding

Details

Arrangement:
Special
Topic area:
Cardiovascular
Surgical procedures
Specialty:
General surgery
Specialist advice has been sought from:
Vascular Surgical Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Date notified to NICE:
18 February 2003
Guidance issue date:
28 January 2004

Contact details:

Project manager (for general enquiries or comments)
(for general enquiries or comments)
Ben Doak
Technical lead
(for procedure specific enquiries or comments)
Sally Wortley
ip@nice.org.uk
Contact Address:

Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA

Links: