Venesection

What is Venesection?

Venesection is a medical practice in which a measured volume of blood is removed out of vein. It is performed either because of some therapeutic intentions (to treat some conditions) or some diagnostic intentions (to gather blood samples).

It is also one of the oldest medical operations that are still applied in certain cases nowadays.

Indications / When It’s Done

Venesection is primarily performed to decrease the total amount of blood or decrease the iron or red blood cells that are not needed in the body.

Common conditions include:

• Polycythemia vera (excessive number of red blood cells in blood)
• Hemochromatosis (iron overload)
• Porphyria cutanea tarda (a sort of porphyria)
• Sickle cell crisis (uncommonly, in special protocols)
• Cyanotic heart disease (to lower viscosity of blood)

Procedure of Venesection

Preparation

• Patient sits or lies down.
• Vital signs checked.
• Consent obtained.

Site Selection

• Usually in the middle of the cubital vein (inside the elbow).

Cannulation

• A large-bore needle or cannula is inserted.

Blood Removal

• 350-500 ml of blood removed over 10-15 minutes.

Post-procedure

• Pertussus of puncture site.
• Patient to take rest and have fluids.

Benefits of Venesection

• Lowers the hematocrit (thickness of blood).
• Reduces iron overload in human body.
• Enhances the symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and fatigue in the conditions that consist of excess blood cells.

Frequency

• Varies by condition.
• Example: Hemochromatosis can require venesection every week initially, and then every 2 to 3 months.

Venesection Side Effects

The following is a narrower description of the Side Effects of Venesection (Therapeutic Phlebotomy):

Common Side Effects

These are generally weak and momentary:

• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy- because of the momentary decreased blood volume.
• Fatigue/weakness- usual following big-volume blood removals.
• Pain or bruising in puncture site- due to needle insertion.
• Nausea or sweating- associated with vasovagal reaction.

Less Common Side Effects

• Low blood pressure (hypotension) - can result in fainting.
• Headache - due to fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
• Muscle cramps - when the fluid is not replaced sufficiently.

Rare Side Effects

• Infection - at the puncture site but very exceptional with sterile technique.
• Thrombophlebitis - inflammation of the vein in use.
• Iron deficiency anemia - when overdone without observing the iron levels.
• Nerve damage - very uncommon, when surrounded nerves are impacted when the needle is inserted.

Factors Affecting Venesection Cost in India

The various factors affecting cost of Venesection in India are detailed as follows:

Type of Facility

• Private Hospitals/Clinics: The cost is more expensive because of infrastructure, personnel and the quality of services.
• Specialty Centers: Centers which specifically deal with hemochromatosis or polycythemia might be more expensive with specialised monitoring.

Complexity of Procedure

• Simple blood withdrawal is less expensive, which is known as Standard Venesection.
• Monitoring Therapeutic Venesection: Costs should be higher in the case of monitoring of vital, hematocrit or iron levels.
• High Volume or Multiple Sessions: The more the sessions, the higher the cost.

Location of Hospital/Clinic

• Metropolitan Cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai): Urban infrastructure and overheads increase the costs.
• Tier-2/Tier-3 Cities: Reduced costs because of reduced operation costs.

Physician Expertise

• Skilled Professionals: This may be charged at a higher price by experienced specialists, and hematologists or highly experienced physicians.
• General Physicians/Nurses: Less experienced employees can save money, yet it is still being done in a safe manner.

Diagnostic Tests and follow up

• Pre-procedure Tests: CBC (Complete Blood Count), Iron Studies, Liver Function Tests.
• Follow-Up Care: Monitoring Vital and Repeat Blood.
• The expenses are higher in case several lab analyses are involved.

Frequency of Sessions

• Single Session: cheaper.
• Maintenance or Regular Therapy: Long-term therapy is an expensive therapy that accumulates after repeated therapy.

Amenities/Services at the hospital

• Individualized attention, air-conditioning, and expedited services can add to the total bill.
• Other centers would incorporate the nursing care and follow-up in the fee and others would charge.

Best Hospitals for Venesection in India

• Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
• Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
• Max Hospital, Saket

Conclusion

Venesection is a safe, effective and well proven medical technique applied mainly in the treatment of diseases such as polycythemia vera, hemochromatosis and other blood disorders. It helps to reduce the thickness of the blood, decrease iron, and the general symptoms by extracting a certain volume of blood. Venesection in India differs in cost depending on the kind of hospital, where the practice is performed, the expertise of the physicians, the diagnostic tests and the frequency of the sessions. It is relatively safe, although temporary side effects (dizziness, fatigue, bruising, and so on) can be experienced, but severe complications are not common in a situation where the procedure is conducted within a well-grounded medical environment. On the whole, venesectomy is an easy, yet, highly effective treatment method of blood-related conditions, and the advantage of rapid recovery and limited downtime is an added bonus.

Venesection in India with GetWellGo

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• Complete transparency
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• Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for Venesection treatment.
• Expert doctor with a strong track record of success
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food

FAQ

1. Is venesection painful?

• The pain is generally insignificant and resembling a standard blood draw. Puncture site can cause some discomfort to patients.

2. What is the time required in the procedure?

• The process normally lasts 15-20 minutes of which an extra rest period of 15-30 minutes follows.

3. What is the frequency of venesection?

Depends on condition, frequency. For example:

• Hemochromatosis: Weekly at first, and then maintenance at 2-3 month intervals.
• Polycythemia vera: Every 24 -48 hours initially then as recommended by a physician.

4. Can I eat or drink before venesection?

• Yes, it is advisable to eat lightly and to drink a lot of fluids before the procedure to minimize the chances of feeling dizzy.

5. What is the difference between venesection and blood donation?

• Venesection is done with medical supervision and is therapeutic in nature and done because of health reasons. Blood donation is performed at will and is intended only to transfuse and not necessarily in the health of the donor.