Background: Data on long-term outcomes of varicose vein surgery are sparse, and 'success' rates vary substantially depending on the method of assessment. This study used a variety of methods to evaluate patients 10 years after operation.
Methods: A consecutive cohort of 100 patients was identified, of whom 70 (151 operated limbs) were reviewed--50 by clinical and Doppler examination, and all by structured questionnaire.
Results: A few months after operation, symptoms were 'cured' or 'much better' in 89% of patients, and remained so at 10 years in 77%. Only 30% patients were completely free of recurrent varicose veins at 10 years (both by self- and clinician-assessment): 44% had 'just a few' varicosities while 26%, had varicose veins 'as badly as before'. Only 24 patients (34%) were not 'generally pleased' at 10 years, because of continuing symptoms (3), recurrent varicosities (13), and other miscellaneous reasons.
Conclusions: Although some recurrence of varicose veins is frequent 10 years after operation, surgery provides long-term relief of symptoms in the great majority of patients.