Prognosis of reflux of the below-knee great saphenous vein after surgical or endovenous treatment of reflux of the above-knee great saphenous vein

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ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the prognosis of preoperative reflux in the below-knee great saphenous vein (BK-GSV) after surgical or endovenous treatment of reflux of the above-knee GSV (AK-GSV) with concomitant stab avulsion of tributary varicosities and correlation between the results of preoperative duplex ultrasound (DUS) and postoperative reflux status of the BK-GSV. MethodsFrom August 2015 to May 2018, there were 63 limbs (59 patients) with untreated primary varicose vein with reflux in the whole length of the GSV included in this study. The treatment methods were conventional surgery and radiofrequency ablation. Patients underwent DUS and assessment of Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Symptom Severity (AVVSS) score before treatment and at 6 and 12 months after treatment. ResultsReflux in the BK-GSV persisted in 51% (32/63) of limbs at 6 months and 51% (18/35) at 12 months after treatment of reflux of the AK-GSV combined with stab avulsion of tributary varicosities. The reflux status of the BK-GSV after treatment was independent of diameter (P = .65 at 6 months and P = .68 at 12 months) and duration of reflux of the BK-GSV (P = .76 at 6 months and P = .95 at 12 months) on preoperative DUS. The percentage improvement in the VCSS and AVVSS score, respectively, was 46% and 58% in the group of competent BK-GSV and 54% and 80% in the group of incompetent BK-GSV at 6 months (P = .52 for VCSS; P = .28 for AVVSS score) and 95% and 90% in the group of competent BK-GSV and 87% and 92% in the group of incompetent BK-GSV at 12 months (P = .15 for VCSS; P = .84 for AVVSS score). ConclusionsAlthough preoperative reflux in the BK-GSV persists in half of limbs after treatment of reflux of the AK-GSV combined with stab avulsion of tributary varicosities, clinical results and quality of life improve regardless of reflux status of the BK-GSV. The postoperative reflux status of the BK-GSV is independent of diameter and duration of reflux of the BK-GSV on preoperative DUS.