[Treatment of recurrent varices in the region of the long saphenous vein. A follow-up study].
BACKGROUND
The recurrence rate for varicosities is up to 40%, which leads to reoperation for many patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results after stripping the long saphenous vein in addition to the reoperation in the groin. The study was designed as a retrospective follow-up study and was set at the department of vascular surgery, Amtssygehuset i Gentofte.


METHODS
The operations were performed from January 1st to the end of December 2000 and consisted of reoperation in the groin and stripping of the long saphenous vein from groin to knee in 39 patients with 44 legs which had been operated. No patients had had their saphenous vein stripped earlier. The follow-up consisted of duplex scanning and the mean follow-up time was 18 months.


RESULTS
Thirty legs (68%) were cured, twelve (27%) had reflux in the thigh--eight from a Hunterperforant and four in a long saphenous vein duplication. Two (5%) had remaining reflux in the groin.


CONCLUSIONS
The recurrence rate in the groin (5%) is acceptable. Stripping of the long saphenous vein in addition to reoperation in the groin reduces the recurrence rate. The recurrence rate at the thigh is not acceptable and a possible explanation for this is the potential role of some kind of long saphenous vein duplications. Half of the patients with recurrence are offered a new operation. We believe that the operating surgeon should focus more on duplication of the vein at the pre-operative duplex scanning in order to reduce the recurrence rate further. New varicosities can arise from an insufficient Hunterperforant even when the whole superficial system is stripped.
Klitfod
Lotte
L
Karkirurgisk Afdeling B, Amtssygehuset i Gentofte, DK-2900 Hellerup.
Baekgaard
Niels
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards