A correct crossectomy of the small saphenous vein, as stipulated by Hach and Mumme, is seldom carried out in literature. The two authors thoroughly describe the technical procedure of a high, flush ligation of the saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ). The risks and problems of the surgery are described and illustrated.A retrospective cohort study with the aim of conducting a flat small saphenous crossectomy yielded the following findings in 187 operated legs: small saphenous remainder stumps with clinically relevant recurrence in 2.1 %, small saphenous neovasculature with clinically relevant recurrence in 1.1 %, junction stump or neovasculature without clinically relevant recurrence in 1.6 % of cases. In summation, the total amount of actual recurrences was 4.8 %.