Surgical Management of Primary Varicose Veins.

Purpose: This study was carried out to evaluate the surgical outcome of patients with lower limb primary varicose veins. Material and methods: During the 4-year period between July 2006 and July 2010, 42 consecutive patients with primary varicose veins were surgically treated at North and West surgical Departments of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Medical records and computerized data were retrospectively reviewed focusing on patient’s age, sex, clinical features, investigations, type of surgical procedure, and complications. Results: Records of 42 patients with 54 limbs were reviewed. Majority of patients belong to 3 rd (8) and 4 th (15) decade of life. The data revealed 24 females and 18 males. Twelve patients presented with right leg involvement, 18 had left leg disease and 12 had bilateral limb disease. Family history was present in 18 patients, 12 patients had professional history and in 11 patients pregnancy was the causative factor. Duplex ultrasonography proved to have edge in diagnosing incompetent perforators (09) as compared to clinical examination. Flush ligation ( saphenofemoral(38) and saphenopopliteal(12) veins), stripping (38 long saphenous and12 short saphenous veins) and stab avulsions were the procedures carried out. Haematoma /Bruising (12), residual varices(8) and hypertrophic scar (8) were the commonest complications. Residual varices were treated with injection sclerotherapy Conclusion: Duplex scan and expertise in varicose (flush ligation and stripping of involved vein)surgery can reduce the incidence of recurrence of varicose veins