The Effect of Long Saphenous Vein Stripping on Deep Venous Reflux

• Published in: European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery 2004-07, Vol.28 (1), p.104-107
• Main Authors: MacKenzie, R.K, Allan, P.L, Ruckley, C.V, Bradbury, A.W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Chronic venous insufficiency; Deep venous insufficiency; Extremities - blood supply; Extremities - diagnostic imaging; Extremities - surgery; Female; Femoral Vein - diagnostic imaging; Femoral Vein - pathology; Femoral Vein - surgery; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Popliteal Vein - diagnostic imaging; Popliteal Vein - pathology; Popliteal Vein - surgery; Postoperative Complications - diagnostic imaging; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Recurrence; Saphenous Vein - diagnostic imaging; Saphenous Vein - pathology; Saphenous Vein - surgery; Statistics as Topic; Stripping; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; Varicose veins; Varicose Veins - diagnostic imaging; Varicose Veins - surgery; Vascular Surgical Procedures; Venous Insufficiency - diagnostic imaging; Venous Insufficiency - surgery
• ISSN: 1078-5884; 1532-2165
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2004.03.009

Background. The addition of long saphenous vein (LSV) stripping to sapheno-femoral junction (SFJ) disconnection and multiple stab avulsions (MSAs) in the course of varicose vein (VV) surgery is associated with a significant reduction in recurrence, and a significant improvement in quality of life. It is hypothesised that these benefits relate, at least in part, to a favourable effect of stripping on deep venous reflux. Objective. To examine the effect of long saphenous vein (LSV) stripping on deep venous reflux (DVR). Methods. This was prospective study of 62 consecutive patients (77 limbs) CEAP class 2–6, undergoing SFJ disconnection and MSAs, with and without successful stripping of the LSV to the knee. A duplex ultrasound examination was performed pre-operatively and at a median (IQR) of 24 (23–25) months post-operatively. Completely stripped limbs were defined as those in whom complete stripping of the LSV to the knee was confirmed on post-operative duplex. Reflux ≥0.5 s. was considered pathological. Results. Pre-operatively, 32 (42%) limbs had deep venous reflux (DVR). Post-operative duplex at 24 months revealed that the LSV had been completely stripped in 29 (38%) limbs. In patients with pre-operative DVR, complete stripping was associated with a significant reduction in the prevalence of superficial femoral vein (SFV) (p