Long-Term Recurrence and Nerve Injury After Total and Partial Stripping of the Great Saphenous Vein by External Phleboextractor

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of an external phleboextractor (EP) in improving the results of total and short stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV) with particular reference to saphenous nerve injury occurring during the operations. Two hundred fifty-seven consecutive patients affected by varicose veins in the lower limbs (of which 22 had bilateral diseases) underwent total (Group A) or partial (Group B) saphenectomies by means of the Corcos' EP. The interventions were selected on the basis of type of reflux diagnosed by clinical and Doppler ultrasound examinations. The results were assessed 6 months and 3 years after operation. One hundred four limbs were evaluated in Group A and 160 limbs in Group B. After 3 years, 101 limbs in Group A (97.1%) and 155 in Group B (96.8%) had excellent-to-good results in terms of recurrent varices. Neurological examinations were comparable between Group A (11 saphenous nerve injuries = 10.6%) and Group B (10 nerve injuries = 6.3%). This study shows that total or short stripping of the GSV reduced varicose vein recurrence and neural compli cation using the EP.