Experience with surgical treatment of ascendant varicophlebitis

: In ascendant varicophlebitis, the authors suggest not only crossectomy, but also radical removal of the dilated part of the great saphenous vein and of all thrombosed and non-thrombosed varicose veins in one session. They consider it important to clear the extension of the thrombosis by using an ultrasonic doppler flowmeter or the duplex scan technique; phlebography is needed only if deep venous affection is suspected. Cardinal questions of the operative technique are discussed. In cases of deep venous affection, thrombectomy is performed with Fogarty catheter. Antibiotics are generally held to be unnecessary, but early mobilisation and postoperative low-dose heparin prophylaxis are of great importance. No significant complications were detected after 37 interventions. Every patient was controlled one year after surgery. Residual complaints were found more rarely in the radically treated group. As concerns the quick and definitive recovery, mention is made of favourable economic consequences of the active surgical treatment.