Groin-to-Knee Downward Stripping of the Long Saphenous Vein

Objective: To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of downward stripping of the long saphenous vein. Design: Retrospective study in a series of patients treated surgically by the author. Setting: Department of Surgery, Nepean Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Patients: Patients presenting with clinical signs and symptoms of varicose veins attributable to sapheno-femoral incompetence. Interventions: Patients underwent flush sapheno-femoral ligation with stripping of the long saphenous vein using a downward stripping of the long saphenous vein between the groin and knee. Main outcome measures: Cosmetic appearance of the limb and presence or absence of neurological disturbance suggestive of injury to the saphenous nerve. Results: Satisfactory healing of all wounds was found. Good aesthetic results and no neurological complication was encountered. Conclusion: Groin to knee downward stripping of the long saphenous vein provides a safe and effective method for managing varices of the long saphenous vein.