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Objectives: To assess the effect of varicose vein surgery on the venous function of the lower limb and to determine the ability of strain-gauge and photoplethysmography in discriminating between normal and abnormal venous function. Design: Prospective randomized trial with follow-up to 1 month postoperatively. Study group: Fifteen patients presenting for varicose vein surgery and 10 controls with no evidence of venous insufficiency. Interventions: Venous investigations were carried out preoperatively and at 1 month postoperative appointments. Main outcome measures: The effect of varicose vein surgery on lower limb venous function and the ability of plethysmography to distinguish normal from abnormal venous function. Results: Significant differences were found between pre- and postoperative venous refilling times (VRT) in patients attending for varicose vein surgery ( p><0.01). Significant differences were also found between control and case preoperative VRTs. No significant differences were found between pre- and postoperative, and case/control venous outflow (VO) and venous capacitance (VC) values. Conclusion: Varicose vein surgery improved the venous function in all of the lower limbs investigated. Photoplethysmographic venous refilling times were found to be a useful, reproducible measure, able to distinguish normal from abnormal venous function.