FLUSH SAPHENOFEMORAL LIGATION AND MULTIPLE STAB PHLEBECTOMY PRESERVE A USEFUL GREATER SAPHENOUS-VEIN 4 YEARS AFTER SURGERY

Purpose: Flush saphenofemoral ligation, with multiple cosmetic stab ph lebectomy, successfully treats saphenofemoral reflux and superficial v aricosities. The long-term effect on the residual greater saphenous ve in (GSV) requires evaluation. Methods: Noninvasive tripler ultrasound assessment of the residual GSV for potential use as a vein graft was u sed. We evaluated the independent objective and subjective cosmetic ou tcomes. We also used analysis to determine the correlation between GSV reflux, symptoms, and cosmetic outcome. Results: Seventy-two limbs we re assessed at a median follow-up of 4 years (interquartile range 3 to 5 years). Fifty-nine Limbs had patent GSVs above and below the knee. The mean length patent was 51 cm, and the mean internal diameters abov e and below the knee were 3.6 and 2.8 mm, respectively. Zn 65% of case s the vein had suitable ultrasonic characteristics, suggesting that it would be suitable for use as a conduit for a vascular bypass graft. S ixty-two limbs were considered a symptomatic success and 61 an objecti ve cosmetic success. There was no correlation between the symptomatic rind cosmetic outcome and the presence of superficial GSV reflux (line ar regression analysis). Conclusions: These findings support the effec tiveness of the procedure of flush saphenofemoral Ligation and multipl e stab phlebectomy with regard to cosmetic and symptomatic outcome and may preserve the GSV for use as an autologous bypass graft.