Videoscopic ligation of the left ovarian vein for the treatment of the pelvic congestion syndrome

A 39-year old, multiparous woman presented for recurrent varicosis after bi lateral saphenectomy. She also complained of menses- and posture-dependent swelling of the legs and of pelvic heaviness. After excluding insufficiency of the saphenofemoral junction and of the perforator veins by means of col our-coded ultrasound, a selective renal phlebography documented a massive r eflux along the left ovarian vein. A videoscopic high ligation of the insuf ficient vessel was then performed using a retroperitoneal approach. Both pe lvic discomfort and venous insufficiency of the lower extremities subsided postoperatively.