When the source of the reverse blood flow was due to damaged valves in the saphenous vein, the vein was removed by a surgical procedure known as vein stripping. Under general anesthesia, all or part of the vein was tied off and pulled out. The legs were bandaged after the surgery but swelling and bruising lasted from days to weeks. Now that ablation has been proved to be effective, vein stripping should be regarded as a procedure of the past. It carries higher risk, greater pain, greater disability, longer recovery, greater cost, and, historically, less effectiveness than modern treatment.
About the Author: Dr. Daniel Monahan
Daniel L. Monahan, M.D. opened Vein Surgery and Treatment Center of Northern California in 2001. The name changed to Monahan Vein Clinic in 2011. He is board-certified in surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Treating vein disease is not something to learn in a weekend course. Dr. Monahan’s formal training included more experience in vein treatment than typical surgical training, and he carried this expertise into his practice.