[Surgery of varicose veins. Surgical errors and complications]

It is necessary to distinguish between complications that cannot be avoided and those that can through knowledge of the special risks of the surgical procedure. Special complications that cannot be avoided include bleeding in the saphenous channel, loss of sensitivity, damage of lymphatic vessels, pigmentation of the leg, and the very rare postoperative pulmonary embolization. A preoperative diagnosis based on a careful physical examination, phlebography and Doppler ultrasound will help avert unnecessary mistakes.