About Curtis J. Edwards, MD, FACS Expertise Semi-retired, general and vascular surgery questions, veins arteries and questions related to the thorax. Seventeen years practice experience. I ran the non-invasive vascular lab at a major teaching hospital prior to attending medical school. While in private practice treated diseases of the peripheral veins and arteries including venous injection and ablation procedures, and arterial bypass grafting, and endarterectomy.
Experience Seventeen years private practice, general, peripheral vascular, non-cardiac thoracic surgery (semi-retired). Aviation medicine.
Organizations College of Surgeons, AMA, Aerospace Medical Assoc.
Education/Credentials BA,MD, American Board of Surgery, Fellow American College of Surgeons, Senior FAA Aerospace Medical Examiner
Expert: Curtis J. Edwards, MD, FACS Date: 3/4/2008 Subject: vascular surgery/temple area
Question I had heavy head trauma on my left temple, after the swelling went down the bump appeared and would not go away. The doctor said its the templar vein, it formed a weak spot or a pocket and since the blood is constantly pushing against it, it won't heal itself. The procedure he is going to take is cutting on the vein on either side of the pocket and then tying them off. Is this a correct procedure? I don't know if I feel comfortable with them basically cutting off that whole section of my vein. Is there any other procedure that can be done?
Answer I have not examined you or the patient in question, reviewed the medical record, associated laboratory studies, or imaging. What follows is offered to you for information purposes, only and does not constitute treatment. I advise an examination from a qualified healthcare professional before undertaking any course of treatment.
I believe you are referring to the superficial temporal vein. This vein drains blood from your scalp and is interconnected with many other veins performing the same function.
Ligation of the vein should cause no problem as generous alternate venous drainage exists throughout the scalp. I have performed the procedure on many patients at the time of temporal artery biopsy for temporal arteritis. A patient has never experienced a problem.
