Endoscope-assisted management of primary varicose veins of the long saphenous vein and its tributaries

Objective: Primary varicose veins of the long saphenous vein and its tributaries were managed in 104 limbs of 101 patients with the assistance of endoscopic surgery. Methods: Patients were divided into four clinico-anatomical types according to normal veins involved in the varicosities. With good illumination and magnified monitor viewing by means of a surgical endoscope, the varicositic trunk, varicositic tributaries, incompetent perforating veins and healthy veins could be clearly visualized and identified. Through two or more access incisions (2.5-3.0 cm in length), the varicose veins were completely dissected, divided and removed. The incompetent perforating veins were clipped and divided. In all cases, the mean number of incisions in each limb was 3.0. Results: The most common cause of morbidity was maceration of the incision wound. Transient numbness may have presented at the dissected area, but there were no signs of injury to the saphenous nerve. Conclusions: There was very little possibility of recurrence, because no residual varicosities or incompetent perforating veins remained after this operation. Recurrence presented in only one case at follow up, three months postoperatively. Patients were satisfied with the minimal surgical scarring and complete absence of disfiguring varicosities in the limb. (C) 2004 Royal Society of Medicine Press.