[Complications in surgery of varicose veins]

Complications after varicose vein operations are rare. Minor complications such as lesions of cutaneous nerves, e.g. saphenus or sural nerve, hematomas, lymphogenic fistulas or postoperative edemas are reported and can be treated conservatively. Major complications like injuries to the femoral vein must be considered in about 1% and injuries to the femoral arteries in 0.02%. This means, for example, for the FRG 50 serious venous and 10 serious arterial injuries with the possibility of limb loss/year. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonal infarction occurred in 3300 of our varicose vein operations, in 0.15% and 0.06% respectively. Knowledge of vascular surgery and anatomy with all variations of the venous systems are mandatory for varicose vein surgery.