J Korean Soc Vasc Surg.
2001 Apr;17(1):155-160.
Evaluation and Treatment of Recurrent Varicose Veins
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea.
Abstract
- Recurrent (or residual) varicose veins are a major health care problem. Recurrence rates after surgery of 20~40% have been cited. New mode of technological investigations teach that allows us to modify operations to reduce or prevent recurrence of varicose veins. Clinical examination is inaccurate in determining saphenofemoral and saphenopopliteal incompetence. Continuous-wave doppler examination to the clinical assessment does improve the evaluation but the technique is flawed because of a likelihood of false-positive findings. The colour duplex scan yields findings that correlate reasonably closely with those of varicography. Darke SG (1991) classified recurrent varicose veins into 3 specific categories and Stonebridge PA (1995) also defined recurrence according to varicography. Recurrent varicose veins are associated with technically unsatisfactory surgery at the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction and failure to remove the great saphenous vein in the thigh. Reoperation which re-ligate the recurrent trunks and cover the saphenofemoral junction with fascia or prosthetic mesh can minimize further recurrence.
