Barrier Patch Implantation during Redo Surgery for Varicose Vein Recurrences in the Groin: 1-Year Results

Background: Rerecurrences after redo surgery for recurrent varicose veins in the groin are a common problem. The present report looks at the efficacy of an additional barrier patch implantation in reducing these rerecurrences. Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was conducted. This included 67 patients with 86 legs who underwent redo-groin surgery for symptomatic recurrences. In addition, a polytetrafluoroethylene-barrier patch was placed at the former saphenofemoral junction. All patients had undergone ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein a mean of 13.9 years earlier. All patients were examined by duplex ultrasound before and 1 year after the procedure. Results: Perioperatively, minor complications occurred in 5.8% of cases, the groin infection rate was 2.4%. In 85 of 86 legs, the duplex follow-up examination was performed after 1 year. This revealed an overall rerecurrence rate of 12%, of which only 2.4% were caused by recurrent neovascularization in the groin bypassing the barrier patch. The remaining 9.6% were caused by different sites of reflux (pelvic veins and perforators). Conclusions: Redo-groin surgery with additional barrier patch implantation seems to be a safe and effective way to prevent rerecurrences in the groin. In our experience, it provided very promising 1-year results with a very low rate of recurrent neovascularization.