As
explained in the introduction section, the Great Saphenous vein is
the source of the problem in most cases. The surgical
treatment entails stripping
of
the vein. That is being done through a
groin incision and a second
incision in the leg
. All the branches and all the
connections with the deep veins (Perforators)
will be torn including a number
of healthy veins. That is believed to be the main
reason for the high failure rate
of the surgical stripping which ranges between
30-73% after 5 years. As
early as one year, a significant number of patients develop
recurrence. With the stripping, most of the torn branches and
perforators go into spasm in an attempt to stop bleeding. That
is helped by the surgeon doing leg elevation and application of
compression. Despite these measures, a variable degree of
internal bleeding occurs. The
bleeding could be significant particularly in bilateral stripping.
That would result in a variable degree of thigh swelling and
bruising that takes any where from 2-6 weeks to resolve. The
surgery is done under general anaesthetic
The Drawbacks
from the surgical stripping include
-
High failure rate
30-73%
-
Wound infection 1-5%
-
Bleeding
-
Deep Vein Thrombosis
(Blood clot) 2-5%
-
Scars
-
Injury to lymphatic
vessels in the groin area
-
Complications from
the general anaesthetic
-
Lengthy time off work
