title: Barrier Patch Implantation during Redo Surgery for Varicose Vein Recurrences in the Groin: 1-Year Results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rerecurrences after redo surgery for recurrent varicose veins in the groin are a common problem. The present report looks at the efficacy of an additional barrier patch implantation in reducing these rerecurrences.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted. This included 67 patients with 86 legs who underwent redo-groin surgery for symptomatic recurrences. In addition, a polytetrafluoroethylene-barrier patch was placed at the former saphenofemoral junction. All patients had undergone ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein a mean of 13.9 years earlier. All patients were examined by duplex ultrasound before and 1 year after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perioperatively, minor complications occurred in 5.8% of cases, the groin infection rate was 2.4%. In 85 of 86 legs, the duplex follow-up examination was performed after 1 year. This revealed an overall rerecurrence rate of 12%, of which only 2.4% were caused by recurrent neovascularization in the groin bypassing the barrier patch. The remaining 9.6% were caused by different sites of reflux (pelvic veins and perforators).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Redo-groin surgery with additional barrier patch implantation seems to be a safe and effective way to prevent rerecurrences in the groin. In our experience, it provided very promising 1-year results with a very low rate of recurrent neovascularization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery and Phlebology, Bethanien Hospital, Moers, Germany.
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Freis
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery and Phlebology, Bethanien Hospital, Moers, Germany. Electronic address: bruno.geier@rub.de.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geier
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery and Interdisciplinary Vein Center, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Achim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mumme
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery and Interdisciplinary Vein Center, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Strohmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Interdisciplinary Vein Center, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stücker
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery and Interdisciplinary Vein Center, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hummel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D006119:Groin / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene