Saphenous sparing evolution

Abstract

While Saphenous stripping became the gold standard technique for varicose veins treatment in the second part of last century, soon, leaving the Saphenous stem in place for surgical simplification and, successively, for arterial bypass use became a subject of research, showing uncertain responses. Ultrasound facilities allowed better hemodynamic knowledge; a new hemodynamic approach (CHIVA) appeared that limited venous ablation and redirected the blood to the deep system normalizing the pressures, allowing Great Saphenous Vein preservation. Even new technologic evolutions (thermal, chemical), created for venous ablation, could be converged toward this conservatory attitude simply changing the mental scheme.