A postoperative duplex scan of the SFJ 1 year after varicose vein surgery to the great saphenous vein predicts which patients are most likely to have a good outcome 5 years after surgery. The 1-year duplex scan is a reliable diagnostic tool for future studies evaluating the effect of new methods of treating sapheno-femoral incompetence.

The use of a silicone patch at repeat operation to treat recurrent varicose veins caused by new incompetence at the level of the saphenofemoral junction is associated with a lower incidence of recurrent thigh varicosities and neovascularization compared with a control group in which no additional barrier technique was used.

Stripping of the SSV significantly reduced the rate of SPJ incompetence after one year without increasing the rate of complications.

Interposition of an anatomical barrier by closing the cribriform fascia after SFJ ligation reduced ultrasound detected neovascularisation at the SFJ after one year. In primary varicose vein operations application of an anatomical barrier technique (without prosthetic patch) is an alternative option to prevent postoperative neovascularisation.

Patch saphenoplasty can cause early and late postoperative complications in the groin, which are usually minor. In exceptional cases, major complications may cause important morbidity and may be difficult to handle.