Endoscope-assisted correction of primary varicose veins

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the possibilities and results of a pplication of endoscopic surgery in the operation of primary varicose veins . With good illumination and magnified viewing, the varicosities, incompete nt perforating veins, and healthy veins were clearly visualized. The incomp etent perforating veins were clipped and divided securely. The varicose vei ns and tributaries were dissected and removed completely after being clippe d and divided. The healthy veins were preserved if possible. Primary varico se veins in 43 limbs of 37 patients were operated. The operation was conduc ted through one access incision in 31 limbs (72%), two incisions in 11 limb s (25%), and three incisions in 1 limb. The mean number of incisions was 1. 3 in each limb. Hematoma formation occurred in 1 patient due to the slippin g of one clip on the third postoperative day. The other patients had uneven tful postoperative courses. All 37 patients were reviewed 4 to 30 months po stoperatively. Only one limb had recurrent varices at a new site. Ninety-se ven percent of limbs (42 of 43) had no recurrence of varicose veins. Sevent y-eight percent of patients (29 of 37) were extremely pleased with this ope ration. Although the other 22% of patients (8 of 37) appreciated this opera tion, they were not completely satisfied because some preoperative complain ts persisted. In this series, the recurrent rate of varicose veins was low (1 in 43 limbs) and postoperative scarring was minimized, in addition to th e advantages of endoscopic surgery. These results demonstrate that endoscop ic surgery is a worthy alternative procedure for correcting primary varicos e veins.