Treatment for Small Saphenous-type Varicose Veins with Endothermal Ablation Incorporating High Ligation of the Saphenopopliteal Junction

Abstract

To avoid nerve injury during endothermal ablation of the small saphenous vein (SSV), the ablation should be limited to the area just before the SSV crosses through the deep fascial sheath in the popliteal fossa. Although the saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) typically is located in the popliteal fossa at the knee crease, it sometimes terminates more proximally and/or has some anatomical abnormalities; thus, with conventional surgery, a recurrence in the untreated, proximal part of the SSV is possible due to inadequate treatment. Therefore, we developed a method of endothermal ablation of the SSV incorporating a high ligation of SPJ. This method might produce good long-term results.