Optimising a varicose vein service to reduce recurrence.

Abstract

A prospective observational study of 63 legs in 49 patients was undertaken to evaluate the adequacy of primary varicose vein surgery performed by surgical trainees. Appropriate surgery was carried out by a surgical senior house officer (SHO) under direct consultant supervision. All patients underwent pre- and postoperative duplex scanning. The preoperative duplex scan demonstrated incompetence of the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) or long saphenous vein (LSV) in 59 limbs, a mid-thigh perforator (MTP) in 11 limbs, and saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) in 5 limbs. Surgery successfully abolished all sites of pre-existing reflux. The postoperative duplex scan revealed that 17 new sites of reflux, not identified preoperatively, had developed in 12 limbs. With a consultant-led service and accurate preoperative identification of sites of reflux, the surgical trainee can adequately perform varicose vein surgery. This would seem a reasonable approach to training and eliminating recurrence owing to inadequate surgery. The development of new sites of reflux within 6 months of varicose vein surgery may be owing to altered venous haemodynamics consequent upon this surgery.