Saphenous Vein Removal

The saphenous vein (commonly referred to as the "greater saphenous vein") is the large vein in the leg that carries blood to the heart. The saphenous vein can become varicose, a condition in which the veins swell and become twisted, and their valves begin to leak and no longer work properly. In this case, a surgical method known as "vein stripping" is commonly used.

Vein Stripping

• The Mayo Clinic describes "vein stripping" as the standard outpatient procedure to treat varicose veins from which patients can recover in full after two weeks. In this procedure, incisions are made at the ankle, knee and groin, and the greater saphenous vein is removed. In doing so, the flow of blood to the heart is rerouted through other, healthier veins. Complications are not typical in otherwise healthy patients following this procedure.

Endovenous Thermal Ablation

• The Mayo Clinic describes endovenous thermal ablation as a newer alternative to vein stripping that is a "minimally invasive" procedure in which a catheter is inserted into the varicose vein, and then the tip of the catheter is heated. After removal of the heated catheter, the vein collapses and seals by scarring, which reroutes the blood to healthier veins. Patients should be able to recover in full after only a few days.

Other Procedures

• There are numerous other methods to treat varicose veins. The Mayo Clinic identifies these other methods as sclerotherapy, which is the deliberate scarring by injection in the varicose vein, causing it to contract and reroute the blood to healthier veins; laser surgery, which targets varicose veins and ultimately destroys them, rerouting the blood; coil embolization, which also utilizes a catheter insertion, but alcohol is injected into the vein, damaging the lining and causing it to scar closed and reroute the blood; ambulatory phlebectomy, in which varicose veins are removed by puncturing the skin; and endoscopic perforator vein surgery, which is usually used only when leg ulcers are present and involves the insertion of a small video camera that guides the surgeon to identify and close perforated veins.

Clinical Research

• A 2001 study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham titled "The Durability of Endoscopic Saphenous Vein Grafts" explored the long-term effects of patients who have had their greater saphenous vein removed. The researchers concluded that while the removal of the vein and the bypassing of the blood flow via alternate routes may cause injury, the procedure allows patients to maintain a satisfactory flow of blood in the lower extremities. A separate 2009 study by the University of Ankara in Turkey titled "Should Complete Stripping Operation to the Ankle be Avoided in the Treatment of Primary Varicose Veins due to Greater Saphenous Vein Insufficiency?" explored the risk of vein injury following the removal of the greater saphenous vein and concluded that the benefit of the procedure outweighed the risk of injury, and that the procedure is still an adequate treatment.