Safen Ven Striping Uygulamasında Safen Sinir Hasar Sıklığının Değerlendirilmesi

Objective: The saphenous nerve injury could occur during saphenous vein stripping operation by the mass effect of the olive attached on the stripping wire. In this study we report the incidence of this complication after stripping of the long saphenous vein and the precautions which can be taken. Material and Methods: Between February 2006 to October 2008 125 patients had saphenous vein stripping and excision of varicose cluster/s. The mean age was 37.6±14.6 (17-75) and the %69.6 (n=87) of the patients were man. All the patients were evaluated with Doppler USG. The patients were divided into two groups; Group 1 had complete long saphenous vein stripping (n=64), Group 2 had partial long saphenous vein stripping (n=61). The saphenous nerve injury was evaluated by simple neurological tests (sensitivity, touching, vibration) at postoperative 2nd month follow-up. Results: The mean hospital stay was 1 day. There was no operative mortality and the incidence of complications (bleeding, hematoma, infection and edema) was not different in two groups. No nerve tissue was inspected with the saphenous vein after the stripping operation. There was saphenous nerve injury in 6 patients in complete saphenous stripping group and no saphenous nerve injury in partial saphenous stripping group. In long term follow-up four patients symptoms were disappeared and two patients" symptoms were decreased. Conclusion: In saphenous vein stripping; choosing partial stripping in appropriate patients; if not possible, dissecting saphenous nerve carefully at the distal end and using a smaller olive size in saphenous stripping the saphenous nerve injury incidence can be minimalized.