ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the treatment of patients with varicose veins. In the United States, an estimated 23% of the adult population has varicose veins, and 6% has more advanced chronic venous disease, including skin changes and healed or active venous ulcers. Open surgical treatment of varicose veins with high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV) or small saphenous vein combined with excision of large varicose vein clusters has been the standard of care for over a century. GSV reflux is the most common form of venous insufficiency in symptomatic patients and is most frequently responsible for varicose veins of the lower extremity. The first objective in the treatment of varicose veins is therefore elimination of GSV reflux by its removal from the circulation. Radio frequency ablation for the treatment of varicose veins was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 1999.
