A prospective study of incidence of saphenous nerve injury after total great saphenous vein stripping.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Total stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is a validated surgical strategy of treating patients with primary varicose veins (PVV). An often cited, but not well documented and studied, complication of total stripping is postoperative damage of the saphenous nerve (SN).

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the incidence of SN damage and to assess the therapeutic efficacy after total stripping of the GSV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing total stripping of the GSV because of PVV in the entire lower limb were enrolled. Pre- and postoperative neurologic examination was performed to identify potential sensory neurologic deficits.

RESULTS: Total stripping of the GSV in 69 limbs occurred because of pain (9%) or a tired feeling in the limbs (77%) or for cosmetic reasons (14%). The overall incidence of postoperative sensory neurologic deficits was 7 and 6%, respectively, after 6-week follow-up and both 3% after 3-month follow-up. In 99% of the patients, total stripping of the GSV resulted in reduction of the primary signs and symptoms.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of SN damage after total stripping of the GSV is low. Thus, total stripping of the GSV resulted in improvement of the primary complaint in almost all patients. Total stripping of the GSV is an effective surgical strategy in treating PVV.