Closure of the Cribriform Fascia: An Efficient Anatomical Barrier Against Postoperative Neovascularisation at the Saphenofemoral Junction? A Prospective Study

Anatomic description of the distal great saphenous vein to facilitate peripheral venous access during resuscitation: a cadaveric study

The distal great saphenous vein is a popular site for venous access by means of percutaneous cannulation or venous cutdown in a hemodynamically unstable patient. The aim of this study was to precisely define the surface anatomy and dimensions of the distal part of the great saphenous vein to facilitate the aforementioned procedures. Cross-sectional anatomy of the distal saphenous vein was studied in 24 cadaveric ankles sectioned at a horizontal plane across the most prominent points of the medial and lateral malleoli. The curvilinear distance from the most prominent point of the medial malleolus to the center of the saphenous vein, its widest collapsed diameter and skin depth were obtained. The great saphenous vein was located at a mean distance of 24.4 ± 7.9 mm anterior to the medial malleolus. The mean widest collapsed diameter was 3.8 ± 1.5 mm. The mean distance from the skin surface to the vein was 4.1 ± 1.2 mm. These measurements could be used to locate the saphenous vein accurately, particularly in hemodynamically unstable patients with visually indiscernible veins.

Endoglin and Other Angiogenesis Markers in Recurrent Varicose Veins

Background: Surgery on varicose veins (crossectomy and stripping) may lead to recurrence, with clinical and socioeconomic repercussions. The etiopathogenesis of varicose veins has yet to be fully understood. Objective: Study the expression of endoglin and other molecules involved in the neovascularisation process in patients suffering from this disease. Methods: Total of 43 patients that have undergone surgery for varicose veins (24 primary and 19 recurrent). Endoglin and other molecules were identified on the venous wall (proximal -saphenofemoral junction- and distal), via real-time RT-PCR, and in serum, via ELISA: endoglin (Eng), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), its receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR1 or FLT1), (VEGFR2 or FLK), and the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1A). All the patients signed a consent form. Results: The recurrent group recorded a higher expression of Eng, VEGF-A, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 at the level of proximal venous wall compared to the primary group. HIF-1A did not record any differences. As regards the determination of the distal venous wall, no markers recorded differences between the groups. Among the serum determinations, only sFLT1 recorded a significant drop among the patients with recurrent varicose veins. Conclusions: Patients with recurrent varicose veins record a higher expression of endoglin and other markers of angiogenesis in proximal veins. Endoglin in the blood (sEng) serves no apparent purpose in recurrent varicose veins.

Recrossektomie und Barrier-Implantation

Ein häufiger Ausgangspunkt für die Rezidivvarikosis ist die Crossenregion. Ziele der Recrossektomie und Barrier-Implantation sind die Ausschaltung der Refluxquelle sowie die Rezidivprophylaxe. Der Eingriff ist technisch anspruchsvoll. Der laterale Zugangsweg unter Umgehung der narbigen Mündungsregion sowie des Lymphknotenpakets und die langstreckige Präparation des Stumpfes dienen der Komplikationsvorbeugung. Das Absetzen des Stumpfes auf Niveau der tiefen Vene, die Durchstechungsligatur mit nicht resorbierbarer Naht und die Invertierungsplastik des Stumpfendothels sind die entscheidenden OP-Schritte der Recrossektomie. Die Barrier-Implantation mittels PTFE-Patch fungiert als mechanisches Hindernis zwischen tiefem und oberflächlichem Kompartiment und trägt wesentlich zur Rezidivvermeidung bei.

"Quality of Life after Varicose Vein Surgery in Patients with High-ligation and Stripping, External Valvuloplasty and Sapheno-femoral Redo Surgery"

BACKGROUND

High-ligation and stripping (HL/S) and external valvuloplasty (eVP) with the implantation of an external device to restore the valve's function, are surgical methods to eliminate reflux at the saphenofemoral junction. Furthermore, redo-surgery (RedoS) can be performed in terms of same side groin recurrences. It is unclear, if there is a difference in quality of life (QoL) between these 3 surgical treatment options. Therefore, it was the aim of our study to elucidate QoL in patients before and after surgical treatment at the saphenofemoral junction by comparing HL/S, eVP, and RedoS.

METHODS

A total of 303 participants (156 HL/S, 81eVP, 64 RedoS) were recruited during the daily clinical routine. QoL was measured at admission and 6 weeks after the surgical procedure by means of SF-12 (12 item short form health survey) and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The mean value of Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire was 14.5 (SD 2.1) preoperatively and 4.9 (SD 3.3) postoperatively in the HL/S group, 16.4 (SD 1.4) preoperatively and 6.8 (SD 2.5) postoperatively in the eVP group and 15.5 (2.2) preoperatively and 5.8 (SD 4.2) postoperatively in the RedoS group, which was statistically significant (P< 0.05) in all groups. Postoperatively, the mean values were statistically significant within the groups. Concerning physical aspects of the SF-12 we found a significant improvement in the RedoS group, while mental aspects were significantly better in the HL/S and eVP group postoperatively. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance of these SF-12 differences is questionable under consideration of the minimal important difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Varicose vein surgery leads to a significant improvement of QoL in all groups. The implantation of an external patch could have a negative influence in QoL.

Lymphbahnen am Bein

Zu den Komplikationen der Varizentherapie zählt auch das Lymphödem. Pittaluga und Chastanet fanden nach chirurgischer Intervention in nur 0,25 % ein Lymphödem. Flessenkämper und Mitarbeiter konnten zeigen, dass dieses, je nach verwendeter Therapiemethode, in 2,8 % (hohe Ligatur und Stripping) bis 9,2 % (endovenöse Laserablation) auftritt. Einer der möglichen Gründe für diese Lymphödeme könnte eine direkte Schädigung der (sub)inguinalen Lymphgefäße sein. In einer anatomischen Studie fand sich an einem Präparat eine feine „VSM-Entnahmenarbe“ am medialen linken Oberschenkel, vermutlich nach einer Crossektomie. Alle Kollektoren, die die Narbe durchquerten, obliterierten an der Narbe, während sie auf die großen inferolateralen Lymphknoten zogen. Seitlich der Narbe hatten sie ein normales Aussehen und konnten rekanüliert werden. Bislang hat die (anatomische) Forschung diesem Aspekt wenig Beachtung geschenkt; dabei zeigte sich jedoch, dass auch unterhalb der Fascia saphena, parallel zur V. saphena magna, mehrere Lymphgefäße verlaufen.

In der hier präsentierten explorativen anatomischen Untersuchung wurden 20 untere Extremitäten von 10 Individuen verwendet.

An den rechten Präparaten wurde eine akribische und soweit wie möglich schichtweise Präparation der Subinguinalregion durchgeführt. Die linken Präparate wurden gefroren und zur Hälfte longitudinal und zur anderen Hälfte transversal geschnitten. Die so erhaltenen Schnitte wurden auf den genauen Verlauf der Fascia lata, der Fascia cribrosa und der Fascia saphena untersucht und die genaue Lage der Lymphknoten und -bahnen wurde festgestellt.

Eine extensive Intervention an der proximalen V. saphena magna, sei es bei der klassischen Crossektomie oder bei diversen endovenösen Verfahren, deren jeweiliges Agens über die Venenwand selbst hinausreichen kann, kann zu einer zumindest teilweisen Schädigung von begleitenden Lymphgefäßen führen. Zumeist wird wohl die Gesamttransportkapazität der oberflächlichen Lymphbahnen des Beins nicht unter die anfallende Lymphlast gesenkt; jedoch kann eine vorbestehende Beeinträchtigung oder auch eine später auftretende weitere Minderung der Gesamttransportkapazität in einem Lymphödem resultieren.

[Pros and cons of classic crossectomy with stripping compared to endoluminal treatment : Competition or team play?]

The chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) of the leg veins is one of the most common diseases in our society. Thus, it is important to know the clinical picture of CVI and the pros and cons of the different treatment options. Of the various treatments available for varicose veins (conservative therapy, operative procedures, endoluminal techniques, foam sclerotherapy), an evidence-based, treatment option should be individually chosen for each patient. In this article, the pros and cons of surgery are compared with endoluminal therapy in order to draw practical conclusions for the treatment decision.

Die LaVaCro-Studie: Langzeitergebnisse der Varizenoperation mit Crossektomie und Stripping der V. saphena magna

Hintergrund: Multizentrische Langzeitstudien mit hohen Fallzahlen nach Crossektomie und Stripping der Vena saphena magna (VSM) liegen nicht vor. Den in mehreren Studien und Registern erhobenen Daten zu den Rezidivraten der endovenösen Therapieverfahren stehen außerordentlich heterogene Daten der operativen Therapie gegenüber.

Methode: In einer von der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Venenoperationen (VOP-AG) der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Phlebologie (DGP) initiierten prospektiven Multizenterstudie wurden in 12 Zentren 841 Patienten (1 070 Extremitäten) mit einer Stammvarikose der VSM aufgenommen und entsprechend einem streng standardisierten Protokoll operiert. Primärer Endpunkt ist das hämodynamisch relevante saphenofemorale Rezidiv, definiert als eine Vene in der Crossenregion (Durchmesser >5 mm, Reflux >0,5 sec) mit einer Verbindung zur V. femoralis communis Sekundäre Endpunkte sind die Rate duplexsonografisch nachweisbarer pathologischer Crossenrefluxe (Durchmesser <5 mm, Reflux >0,5 sec.), perioperative Komplikationen und neu aufgetretene Varizen nach dem REVAS Klassifikation. Die klinischen und duplexsonografischen Kontrollen erfolgten 7 bis 14 Tage, 3 bis 4 Monate und ein Jahr postoperativ. Hiernach sind jährliche Kontrollen vorgesehen.

Ergebnis: Die Rate klinischer Rezidive lag 3–4 Monate postoperativ bei 1,1 % und ein Jahr postoperativ bei 6,4 %. Die Rate duplexsonografischer Rezidive im Crossenbereich betrug nach 3–4 Monaten 0,53 % und nach einem Jahr 2,24 %. Davon waren lediglich zwei (0,29 %) ein Jahr postoperativ hämodynamisch relevant (Durchmesser >5 mm).

Schlussfolgerung: Die unter standardisierten Bedingungen vorgenommene Crossektomie und Stripping-Operation weist im Verlauf bis zu einem Jahr eine geringe Rezidivrate auf.

Is there a continuing role for traditional surgery?

Despite recent NICE guidance there remains a definite role for surgery in the management of varicose veins. A lot of the available evidence that has driven the transformation of care towards endovenous treatments is of good quality yet published by enthusiasts. No endovenous studies have reported long term results as far out from intervention as the open studies, yet in the meta-analysis from Murad et al, the authors suggested from their results that when surgery was compared with all endoluminal ablation therapies, surgery was associated with a non-significant reduction in the risk of varicose vein recurrence (RR0.63; 95%CI 0.37--1.07). Much of the longer-term data on recurrence following open surgery for primary varicose veins dates back well over 15 years ago. This is prior to the inclusion of routine duplex assessment and sub-specialty designation. The recent Cochrane review (13 randomised controlled studies, 3081 patients). The overall conclusion was that UGFS, EVLT and RFA were at least as effective as surgery in the treatment of the LSV. This meta-analysis did not include the CLASS (Comparison of LAser, Surgery and foam Sclerotherapy as a treatment for varicose veins) trial in which measures of clinical success were similar among the groups. Only 48% of the patients screened were eligible for the CLASS study and of these, only 24% of the eligible patients agreed to take part in the study. Similarly in the study by Carradice out of a total of 772 patients assessed for suitability, 442 did not meet the inclusion criteria. There is no doubt that endovenous surgery will increasingly become first line treatment for patients with symptomatic superficial venous reflux specifically in patients with SSV reflux. However, given the device related limitations with endothermal techniques specifically with regard to adverse anatomical features allied to the poorer results of UGFS within the treatment of LSV reflux, there is without doubt still a role for more traditional open surgical techniques that can be delivered with good short and long term outcomes and still being delivered in a cost effective manner.

Hemodynamics-based treatment of varices: A therapeutic concept counteracting the intrinsic tendency of varicose veins to recur

Varicose vein disease is characterized by tenacious tendency to recur. Measures recommended to prevent recurrences (flush ligation at the saphenofemoral junction, removal of incompetent great saphenous vein in the thigh, and insertion of mechanical barriers in the fossa ovalis) did not succeed in preventing recurrence. Reflux recurrence is triggered by the hemodynamic phenomenon called hemodynamic paradox. Abolition of saphenous reflux removes the hemodynamic disturbance of any degree of severity but at the same time it releases the pathological process leading to recurrent reflux. This process is induced by drainage of venous blood from incompetent superficial thigh veins into deep lower leg veins during calf pump activity, which evokes the development of ambulatory pressure gradient between the femoral vein and incompetent segments of the saphenous system in the thigh. The pressure gradient sets off biophysical and biochemical events inducing recurrent reflux. The designed therapeutic strategy consists of reliable abolition of saphenous reflux and of hindering the pathological drainage of venous blood at the knee level in order to preclude development of the hemodynamic preconditions for reflux recurrence. In this way, the dividing line of the ambulatory pressure gradient would be kept below the knee, as is the case with healthy people.

Role of PTFE Patch Saphenoplasty in Reducing Neovascularization and Recurrence in Varicose Veins

Varicose veins have a high recurrence rate following surgery. Besides poor surgical technique, majority of these recurrences are attributable to neovascularization after both primary and repeat surgery. Authors have studied the effectiveness of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch interposition between the ligated vein stump and the overlying soft tissue at saphenofemoral junction in decreasing recurrence of varicose veins after initial surgery. Study was conducted on 50 patients of varicose veins with saphenofemoral junction incompetence. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, group A and group B alternately. In group A, standard surgical procedure was done followed by PTFE patch application. In group B, same surgical procedure was applied as in group A, with the exception of PTFE patch application. Patients in both groups were given similar postoperative care. A full venous duplex ultrasound assessment was performed in all the patients postoperatively. Neovascularization was observed in five patients (20 %) of group B, while it was not seen in any of the patients in group A at 1-year follow-up. This difference in neovascularization across the two groups was found to be statistically significant with a p value of 0.0251. Hence, authors concluded that patch saphenoplasty helps in reducing recurrence in varicose veins by decreasing neovascularization at saphenofemoral junction.

Safety and Effectiveness of Endovenous Laser Ablation Combined With Ligation for Severe Saphenous Varicose Veins in Japanese Patients

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), which is a relatively new therapeutic option for saphenous varicose veins of the legs, is less invasive than conventional stripping surgery with ligation. In this study, we evaluated the safety and effectiveness of EVLA combined with ligation for severe saphenous varicose veins that were graded as ≥ C4 by the CEAP classification. We treated 119 Japanese patients (141 limbs) between July 2005 and December 2007 utilizing a 1320-nm Nd:YAG laser. The obliteration rate of the treated veins was found to be 100% over the entire follow-up period (2.5 years). Consistent with this finding, all of the patients exhibited improved skin lesions (ie, skin pigmentation and ulceration). No major complications, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and nerve injury, were observed. A questionnaire survey with a reasonable response rate (66.4%) demonstrated that subjective symptoms and minor complications that were initially observed after EVLA, such as mild pain, numbness, indurations, and localized hot flashes, were remarkably improved by the end of the follow-up period. Furthermore, high levels of patient satisfaction were noted. Thus, EVLA combined with ligation constituted a safe and effective strategy for treating severe saphenous varicose veins in Japanese patients.

Same Site Recurrence is More Frequent After Endovenous Laser Ablation Compared with High Ligation and Stripping of the Great Saphenous Vein: 5 year Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial (RELACS Study)

OBJECTIVE

To compare the long-term clinical efficacy of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) with high ligation and stripping (HLS) as standard treatment for great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence.

DESIGN

Investigator initiated two centre randomized controlled trial with 5 year follow up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Interventions were performed on ambulatory and hospitalized patients at two vein centres, a university dermatology department (EVLA) and a specialized vein clinic (HLS). Four hundred patients suffering from GSV incompetence were assigned to EVLA or HLS of the GSV. One hundred and eighty five and 161 patients (=limbs), respectively, were treated per protocol. Main outcome measures were clinically recurrent varicose veins after surgery (REVAS classification, primary study objective), Duplex detected saphenofemoral recurrence, clinical venous severity scoring (Homburg Varicose Vein Severity Score), quality of life (Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire 2), side effects, and patient satisfaction 5 years after treatment.

RESULTS

Two hundred and eighty one legs (81% of the study population) were evaluated with a median follow up of 60.4 (EVLA) and 60.7 months (HLS). Overall, REVAS was similarly observed in both groups: 45% (EVLA) and 54% (HLS), p = .152. Patients of the EVLA group showed significantly more clinical recurrences in the operated region (REVAS: same site): 18% vs. 5%, p = .002. In contrast, more different site recurrences were observed in the HLS group: 50% vs. 31%, p = .002. Duplex detected saphenofemoral refluxes occurred more frequently after EVLA: 28% vs. 5%, p < .001. Both treatments improved disease severity and quality of life without any difference.

CONCLUSIONS

EVLA and HLS are comparably effective concerning overall REVAS, improvement of disease severity, and quality of life. In terms of same site clinical recurrence and saphenofemoral refluxes, HLS is superior to EVLA 5 years after treatment.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN18322872.

The hemodynamic paradox as a phenomenon triggering recurrent reflux in varicose vein disease

A curious hemodynamic phenomenon emerging as a consequence of the treatment of varicose veins can offer a reasonable explanation why varicose vein and reflux recurrences occur tenaciously irrespective of the applied therapeutic procedure. Saphenous reflux is the most important hemodynamic factor in varicose vein disease: it is responsible for the hemodynamic disturbance, ambulatory venous hypertension, clinical symptoms, and chronic venous insufficiency. Abolition of saphenous reflux eliminates the hemodynamic disturbance and restores physiological hemodynamic and pressure conditions, but at the same time it unavoidably evokes a pressure difference between the femoral vein and the incompetent superficial veins in the thigh during calf pump activity. The pressure difference increases flow and enhances fluid shear stress on the endothelium in pre-existing minor communicating channels between the femoral vein and the saphenous system in the thigh, which triggers release of biochemical agents nitride oxide and vascular endothelial growth factor; the consequence is enlargement (vascular remodeling) of the communicating channels, and ultimately reflux recurrence. Hence, the abolition of saphenous reflux creates preconditions for the comeback of the previous pathological situation. This phenomenon-starting the same trouble while fixing the problem-has been called hemodynamic paradox; is explains why varicose vein and reflux recurrence can occur after any mode of therapy.

Comparing endovenous laser ablation, foam sclerotherapy, and conventional surgery for great saphenous varicose veins

BACKGROUND

Many case series have been published on treatments of varicose veins, but comparative randomized controlled trials remain sparse.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the anatomic success rate, frequency of major complications, and quality-of-life improvement of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS), and conventional surgery (CS), after 1-year follow-up.

METHODS

A total of 240 consecutive patients with primary symptomatic great saphenous vein reflux were randomized to EVLA, UGFS, or CS, consisting of high ligation and short stripping. Primary outcome was anatomic success defined as obliteration or absence of the treated vein on ultrasound examination after 1 year. Secondary outcomes were complications, improvement of the "C" class of the CEAP classification, and improvement of disease-specific (Chronic Venous Insufficiency Quality-of-Life Questionnaire) and general (EuroQol 5) quality-of-life scores.

RESULTS

More than 80% of the study population was classified as C2 or C3 venous disease. After 1 year, the anatomic success rate was highest after EVLA (88.5%), followed by CS (88.2%) and UGFS (72.2%) (P < .001). The complication rate was low and comparable between treatment groups. All groups showed significant (P < .001) improvement of EuroQol 5 and Chronic Venous Insufficiency Quality-of-Life Questionnaire scores after therapy; 84.3% of all treated patients showed an improvement of the "C" of the CEAP classification.

CONCLUSIONS

After 1-year follow-up, EVLA is as effective as CS and superior to UGFS according to occlusion on ultrasound duplex. Quality of life improves after treatment in all groups significantly.

Successful reduction of clinical relevant neovascularization with a modified crossectomy combined with a barrier technique after 10-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the long-term results of stripping the insufficient great saphenous vein (GSV) with stump coagulation, closure of the cribriform fascia and some additional measures, which will be described in detail.

METHODS

Patients treated from 1998 to 1999 for varicose veins had been invited in 2009 for follow-up colour-coded duplex sonography and had been asked to answer a quality-of-life questionnaire. In 2009, the examinations for the study were conducted at a clinic of angiology by an independent and experienced sonographer.

RESULTS

From a total of 165 patients, 91 (136 limbs) had been willing to participate in the study. Duplex ultrasound after a mean follow-up of 10.7 years revealed only clinically non-relevant (∅ < 0.3 cm) neovascularizations in 1.5% of all treated legs. No clinical relevant varicosities from the groin had developed.

CONCLUSION

The crossectomy combined with stump coagulation and suture of the fossa ovalis, completed with some additional measures, is a successful method to reduce neovascularization and recurrent varicosities, even for redo-crossectomies, without increasing the risk of perioperative complications.

Estudo comparativo entre os achados do exame físico, do mapeamento com eco-color Doppler e da exploração cirúrgica na recidiva das varizes de membros inferiores a partir da junção safeno-femoral

CONTEXTO: A recidiva de varizes em membros inferiores é complicação frequente da safenectomia e sua incidência atinge até 80% dos casos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a sensibilidade do exame físico e do mapeamento com eco-color Doppler no diagnóstico da insuficiência do coto da veia safena magna, em doentes previamente operados, comparando-os com os achados da exploração operatória da junção safeno-femoral. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados prospectivamente 30 doentes envolvendo 37 membros submetidos previamente à safenectomia magna para tratamento de varizes e que foram reoperados por recidiva de varizes na região inguinal ou em face anterossuperior da coxa. Todos os doentes foram submetidos ao mapeamento com eco-color Doppler. Os dados foram comparados com os achados da exploração da crossa da veia safena magna na reoperação. RESULTADOS: A sensibilidade do mapeamento com eco-color Doppler para a presença de insuficiência do coto da veia safena magna foi de 70,3% (26 concordâncias dentre os 37 membros) e resultados falsos negativos ocorreram em 29,7% (11) membros avaliados (p=0,03). A sensibilidade do achado de varizes na região inguinal e na face anteromedial da coxa com a presença de insuficiência do coto da veia safena magna foi de 100% (37 concordâncias dentre os 37 membros) e não houve resultados falsos negativos. CONCLUSÕES: No doente já submetido à safenectomia magna, a presença no exame físico de varizes recidivadas em região inguinal e na face anteromedial da coxa é sugestivo de insuficiência do coto da veia safena magna, devendo-se realizar o mapeamento com eco color Doppler para o adequado planejamento da reexploração da crossa da veia safena magna.

Clinical and technical outcomes from a randomized clinical trial of endovenous laser ablation compared with conventional surgery for great saphenous varicose veins

Background

This report describes the clinical effectiveness and recurrence rates from a randomized trial of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and surgery for varicose veins.

Methods

Some 280 patients were randomized equally using sealed opaque envelopes to two parallel groups: surgery and EVLA. Inclusion criteria included symptomatic disease secondary to primary, unilateral, isolated saphenofemoral junction incompetence, leading to reflux into the great saphenous vein (GSV). Outcomes were: technical success, recurrent varicose veins on clinical examination, patterns of reflux on duplex ultrasound examination, and the effect of recurrence on quality of life, assessed by the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ). Assessments were at 1, 6, 12 and 52 weeks after the procedure.

Results

Initial technical success was greater following EVLA: 99·3 versus 92·4 per cent (P = 0·005). Surgical failures related mainly to an inability to strip the above-knee GSV. The clinical recurrence rate at 1 year was lower after EVLA: 4·0 versus 20·4 per cent (P &lt; 0·001). The number of patients needed to treat with EVLA rather than surgery to avoid one recurrence at 1 year was 6·3 (95 per cent confidence interval 4·0 to 12·5). Twelve of 23 surgical recurrences were related to an incompetent below-knee GSV and ten to neovascularization. Of five recurrences after EVLA, two were related to neoreflux in the groin tributaries and one to recanalization. Clinical recurrence was associated with worse AVVQ scores (P &lt; 0·001).

Conclusion

EVLA treatment had lower rates of clinical recurrence than conventional surgery in the short term. Registration number: NCT00759434 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Standard varicose vein surgery

This article examines the practice of standard varicose vein surgery including sapheno-femoral and sapheno-popliteal ligation, perforator surgery and surgery for recurrent varicose veins. The technique of exposure of the sapheno-femoral junction and the sapheno-popliteal junction is outlined and advice given on avoidance of complications for both. The evidence regarding methods of closure over the ligated sapheno-femoral junction is examined as is the requirement for stripping and the use of different types of stripper. The requirement to strip the small saphenous vein and the extent of dissection necessary in the popliteal fossa is also examined. Complications of standard varicose vein surgery are outlined. The frequency of wound infection, nerve injury, vascular injury and venous thromboembolism are listed and strategies to avoid these complications are examined.