Saphenofemoral recurrence - a follow-up study after 34 years

Objective: Investigation on the ultimate recurrence rate of crossectomy. Me thod: Reexamination (history, inspection, duplexsonography) of 125 legs 34 years after crossectomy. Result: On inspection there appeared to be 47% rec urrencies, but an color coded duplexsonography the recurrence rate amounted to 60%. In 42,4% the recurrencies had their origin exactly at the site of the former ligation at the site of the former saphenofemoral junction. In 1 7,6% they appeared as a tortous cluster or cord and in 24,8% or a single lu men varix. In further 17,6% the recurrence did not stem from the former sit e of ligation but from elswhere in the neighbourhood of the former saphenof emoral junction. Conclusion: This long term follow-up study confirms the re currence rate after crossectomy published in the literature so far. With co lor coded duplexsonography recurrences are detected more frequently than by clinical investigation. To our knowledge a recurrence rate after a mean of 34 years has never been published so for. These data may serve or a basis for the upcoming studies on the causes for recurrence after correct crossec tomy and their prevention.