The natural history of ultrasound-detected recurrence in the groin following saphenofemoral treatment for varicose veins.

Objective: This prospective study sought to track the natural history of duplex ultrasound (DUS) detected varicose vein recurrence in the groin after surgical intervention during a 5-year period.

Methods: Patients were recruited from a previous prospective trial investigating outcomes after high ligation and stripping with and without patch saphenoplasty. Follow-up examinations of the lower limb venous systems using DUS, air plethysmography, and clinical assessment were carried out at 1, 6, 12, and 36 months.

A prospective study of the fate of venous leg perforators after varicose vein surgery.

Objective: To describe the fate of perforator veins after surgical treatment of varicose veins and factors that influence this.

Methods: This prospective study of 104 patients assessed perforator veins by using duplex ultrasound scanning in 145 limbs before superficial vein surgery for varicose veins. Veins were marked preoperatively with ultrasound guidance and ligated with an open procedure; those missed were later treated with sclerotherapy.