Complication Rate of Long Stripping of the Greater Saphenous Vein

Aims: To evaluate the procedure of stripping by invagination of the long saphenous vein in the management of varicose veins. Design: Prospective study of 1,300 patients treated by stripping of the long saphenous vein by the invagination technique. Setting: Three quarters of the patients were treated at a private clinic and one quarter in a university hospital in Brussels, Belgium. Patients underwent stripping of the long saphenous vein under local or regional anaesthesia. Main outcome measures: The occurrence of peroperative haemorrhage, postoperative haematoma in the track of the long saphenous vein, when assessed by clinical examination and dysthaesia in the distribution of the saphenous nerve assessed by neurological examination. Results: In a total of 1,300 patients operated on using the author's technique there were only 6 haematomas in the track of the long saphenous vein and no serious peroperative haemorrhage was encountered. In 4 patients disturbances in the sensation in the area supplied by the saphenous nerve were detected. Conclusion: Stripping the long saphenous vein by invagination provides a safe alternative to conventional methods which may cause excessive damage to structures around the vein.