[The treatment of lower limb varices by stripping and cross sectioning of the saphenous vein at the National Hospital of Niamey: 31 operated limbs].
OBJECTIVE
The authors reported the results of surgical procedure of lower limbs varicose (LLV) by stripping and crossectomy of saphenous vein at the National hospital of Niamey.


METHODS
It is a prospective study during 5 years and half from January 2001 to June 2006. It concerned the all the patients with LLV who underwent a stripping-crossectomy of the great saphenous vein (GVS) and short saphenous vein (SSV) and elastic stocking. The anaes's clinical classification is used.


RESULTS
The series included 27 patients (31 limbs): 20 males and 7 females (Ratio: 2.8). The average age was 32.4 years (ranged: 21 to 58 years). The mean duration of symptoms was 4.2 years (ranged: 3 to 12 years). According the ANAES's classification we found 63% of patients in stage B, and 37% in stage C. We performed 35 stripping crossectomy (28 for GSV and 7 for SSV) with avulsions accessory veins in 6 cases (14%), incompetent perforator ligature in 2 cases (4.6%) and complementary sclerotherapy in 19 cases (61.3%). The postoperative complications including haematomas (9.7%), wound infections (6.5%) and paraesthesia of saphenous nerve (6.5%) were subsequently resolved with treatment. The mean duration of hospitalization was 11 days (ranged: 4 to 18 days). After a mean follow-up period of 3 years (ranged: 6 months to 6 years) the recurrent varices rate was 6.5% (2 cases) due to leg perforators in 1 case/2 and 4 cases (9.7%) of residual ankle oedema.


CONCLUSIONS
The LLV concerned young people. The results were good and recurrent rate is low after stripping and crossectomy for varicose stage B and C according ANAES's classification. The surgical procedure needed minute clinical and paraclinical assessment.
Service de Chirurgie générale, digestive et vasculaire A, Hôpital National de Niamey BP: 238-Niamey, Niger. r.sani@caramail.com
R
R
Sani
H
H
Bako
E
E
Adehossi
F P
FP
GBaguidi
C
C
Onuhua
L
L
Kollé
M
M
Amadou
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009548:Niger; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult