Correction of Superficial Incompetence with Selective Saphenous Vein Repair (SSVR)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a prospective, five-year follow-up study, selective saphenous vein repair (SSVR) (combined use of plication of the incompetent saphenofemoral junction [SFJ] and selective ligature of incompe tent veins). The effects of SSVR were evaluated by ambulatory venous pressure measurements refilling time (RT) and color duplex to detect the number of incompetent venous sites. From a group of 400 consecutive patients studied for venous incompetence 54 subjects were randomized in an SSVR and a control group. Criteria of inclusion were SFJ incompetence with presence of valve cusps and incompetence of two to five venous sites in the territory of the long saphenous. After five years 22 patients in the SSVR group and 21 in the control group completed the study. SSVR increased RT (p < 0.02), and the number of incom petent sites was decreased after five years (p < 0.02). In the control group RT was shorter and the number of incompetent sites increased (p < 0.05) after five years. In conclusion SSVR appears to be an effective, physiological treatment with good long-term (five-year results) on incompetence and on the prevention of new incompetent sites.