Purpose: The purpose of this study was to know the changes of sapheno-femoral confluence after great saphenous vein stripping to treat varicose vein.
Method: From June 2007 to April 2008, 117 patients underwent clinical review, preoperative duplex scan and saphenofemoral ligation with great saphenous vein (GSV) stripping to treat varicose vein. We checked the size, reflux and neovascularization by duplex scan at 1 month to 12 months postoperatively (mean time: 223.88±120.99 days).
Result: A cumulative total of 33 saphenofemoral confluences (28 patients, women: 19 patients) were studied. There were no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative saphenofemoral confluences in duplex scan (for example: the size of femoral vein, saphenous vein and sapheno- femoral junction). In preoperative duplex scan, there were 21 reflux positive tributaries. After operation (high ligation and GSV stripping), there were 4 reflux positive tributaries.
Conclusion: There was no change in size of saphenofemoral confluences. There was no evidence of recurrence in reflux tests. We could find neovascularization at sapheno-femoral confluence. But there was no recurrent varicose vein. To know the relation of recurrence with neovascularization, further studies are needed. (J Korean Soc Phlebol 2009;8: 1-4)

Keywords: Varicose vein, Recurrence, Duplex scan