[Recurrence after surgery of varices in the region of the long saphenous vein]

Abstract

The article documents that among patients with saphenofemoral reflux inadequate surgery on the saphenofemoral junction was the cause of recurrence in 40% and 43% respectively of patients treated at hospitals and in out-clinics, but in only 14% when operation was performed by a specialized vascular surgeon. The causes of recurrence are described in the literature as follows: inadequate ligation, recanalisation, neovascularisation, non-saphenofemoral reflux, long saphenous vein duplication, incompetent perforator veins and inadequate stripping of the long saphenous vein. Our examination of the past ten years of literature in this area leads to the conclusion that patients with varicose veins caused by saphenofemoral reflux should be examined clinically as well as with colour-Doppler-ultrasonography. The main cause of recurrence is insufficient surgery. The surgeon may reduce recurrence rates by combining stripping of the long saphenous vein to the knee including duplications with thorough ligation of the saphenofemoral junction and ligation of adjacent side-branches. Stab avulsions are obligatory.