superficial thrombophlebitis

Posted by lindybowers @lindybowers, Feb 28, 2023

After a botched varicose vein surgery, I now have a permanent scar called "a tattoo" where a giant hematoma formed and then turned into celluitis. Now its a dark brown raised area and has little feelings when touched. Also the laser machine was broken in the OR so the great vein in the leg wasn't sealed, and now I have a painful throbophlebitis in the right medial calf. I saw another vascular surgeon who didnt like that I came to see him and told me the acting surgeon was board certified. I told the second vascular surgeon I didn't trust the doctor and wanted an honest answer if I had a blood clot where it was so painful. Surgery was 8/29/22 and it's now 2/28/23. The second surgeon did a sonogram and said there was no blood clot BUT MAYO CLINIC DEFINES A THROMBOPHLEBETIS AS BEING A BLOOD CLOT. Who can I trust?

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 4, 2023

You're right, @lindybowers. According to the Mayo Clinic article, "Thrombophlebitis (throm-boe-fluh-BY-tis) is an inflammatory process that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, usually in the legs. The affected vein might be near the surface of the skin (superficial thrombophlebitis) or deep within a muscle (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). Causes of thrombophlebitis include trauma, surgery or prolonged inactivity."
- Thrombophlebitis https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombophlebitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354607

Are you taking blood thinners? Do compression stocking help?

lindybowers | @lindybowers | Mar 4, 2023

It hurts too much to wear compression stockings as they push down on the right remedial calf where the affected vein is swollen and painful. I finally got so fed up with being ignored at my medical center, I wrote to patient information and asked the question." why was the laser machine not working during my surgery? Who was supposted to make sure it was operating? The hospital? The vascular surgeon? Was it his machine? The OR's machine?" He walked out of the OR to tell my driver the laser machine was broken. My driver was not privy to my health care. I had NO idea that the GSV was not treated and sealed. Currently is has venous insufficency. It is leaking into the right remedial calf that has superficial thrombophlebitis, and where the vein is swollen and painful. By contacting the hospital 186 days later and sending pictures of the scars on my leg, and asking about the laser machine, has opened up a "complaint" which wasn't my intention. The bottom line, I don't trust the vascular surgeon. I was told I'd receive a letter in 30 days from the hospital with their findings. Meanwhile I'm very concerned about this pain/