Can interposition of a silicone implant after sapheno-femoral ligation prevent recurrent varicose veins?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether a silicone implant at the sapheno-femoral ligation site could prevent recurrent varicosities.


METHODS
Two non-randomised groups of patients were studied prospectively. In group A 173 patients and 212 limbs had sapheno-femoral ligation, while 172 patients and 210 limbs additionally had a piece (2x3cm) of silicone sheet sutured to the saphenous stump to cover the anterior half of the common femoral vein. The implant was fixed in apposition to the deep vein by carefully closing the cribriform fascia. Colour duplex scanning was performed after 2 and 12 months.


RESULTS
In the no implant group neovascularisation was observed in 35 (17%) after 12 months, but only in 13 (6%) limbs treated with a silicone implant (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Interposition of a partition of silicone implant seems to lower the incidence of neovascularisation one year after saphenofemoral ligation. This technique may constitute an efficient method to prevent recurrence at the correctly ligated saphenous stump.
De Maeseneer
M G
MG
Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium.
Giuliani
D R
DR
Van Schil
P E
PE
De Hert
S G
SG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D012828:Silicones; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*
D012828:Silicones