Long term review of procedures for venous perforator insufficiency

In a retrospective review of 108 patients treated for perforator insufficiency, we evaluated 99 limbs of 80 returning patients, 80 per cent of whom had had the operation at least five years before. In 64 of the patients reviewed, good to excellent results were achieved. These patients did not have a recurrence of the ulceration, eczema or prominent varices. Two instances of recurrent ulceration and one of incipient ulceration were discovered in the study. Wound complications were a problem because of the nature of the skin problems encountered. We concluded that division of incompetent perforating veins combined with excision of the superficial venous system yields good results.