Abstract
Objective:
To compare the postoperative morbidity of conventional stripping with inverting stripping of the long saphenous vein in a randomised prospective trial.
Methods:
One hundred and thirty-six patients with primary uncomplicated long saphenous vein incompetence were randomised to either conventional or inverting stripping of the long saphenous vein. Blood loss, operating time and length of vein stripped were measured intra-operatively. Number and size of haematomas, bruising and diameter of thethrombosed channel were assessed 1 week postoperatively by clinical examination and by duplex ultrasonography. Pain, mobility and analgesia consumption were noted in a daily diary for the postoperative week.
Results:
Blood loss was significantly lower in the inverting group than in the conventional group, with a median of 50 ml for the conventional group and 20 ml in the inverting group (p<0.0001, Mann-Whitney U-test). Operating time in the inverting group (median: 20 min, interquartile range (IQR): 15–25 min) was shorter than in the conventional group (median: 25 min, IQR 20–30 min; p = 0.0001). The percentage of length of vein removed was greater in the inverting group (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups as regards size of haematoma, bruising, or diameter of thrombosed channel, nor was there a difference in postoperative pain, mobility or analgesia consumption.
Conclusions:
Inverting stripping used less operating time and there was less blood loss perioperatively. There did not appear to be any further benefits to inverting stripping of the long saphenous vein during the early perioperative period.
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