Varicose Vein Surgery

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High Ligation and Short Segment Stripping of the Greater Saphenous Vein. This is done when the groin valve is leaking and the Greater Saphenous Vein is varicose. This entails a 5 cm incision in the groin and a 1 cm incision below the knee removing the vein in-between after ligating the vein at its junction with the Femoral vein. This is followed by injections in approximately four (4) weeks.

Ligation of the Greater Saphenous Vein: On occasion the "top most" valve of the Greater Saphenous Vein becomes incompetent. In this case, ligation is indicated, as the ligation will protect the Greater Saphenous Vein from becoming varicose. This procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic.

Short Segment Stripping of the Greater Saphenous Vein can be done under femoral nerve block (applying local anaesthetic to the main nerve of the leg) and light sedation; or general anaesthesia (you are asleep). If both legs need to be stripped, either a general anaesthetic (to put you to sleep) or spinal anaesthetic (to numb the legs) is given.

Risk of operation is minimal and is from potential damage to the main artery or vein of the leg. Risk of local nerve block or general anaesthesia is likewise minimal and will be explained to you in detail by the anaesthetist.

All procedures are done at the Mineral Springs Hospital, telephone number 403.762.2222. You will be asked to complete documents and may have to undergo tests prior to surgery to ensure safety.


	You are not to eat or drink after midnight on the day prior to surgery.
	In most cases you can go home 4-6 hours after surgery.
	Please have someone to take you home even if only local anaesthesia is used.

You may go home the day of the surgery

Remove the dressing on the second day after surgery, then you may shower. Under the "mepore" dressing are "steri strips" which should be left on for one week. Do not sit in the tub/bath for one week.

Sutures are absorbable. Only the suture outside the skin in the groin needs to be cut during the post-operative check, one week after surgery.

Mobilise the leg/legs operated on as soon as possible i.e. immediately after discharge.

There are no restrictions to gentle activities.

Keep your support stockings or tensor bandages on for several days after surgery. You may remove them at night.

Minor discomfort is experienced along the path of the removed Greater Saphenous Vein due to bruising. This will disappear in 2-3 weeks.

Follow-up 1 week after surgery with Dr. MacDonald, the referring physician, or your own physician, whichever is most convenient for you.


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