The anatomic relationship between the long saphenous vein and the saphenous nerve. Relevance for radical varicose vein surgery.

Radical surgery for varicose veins often includes total stripping of the long saphenous vein. Some surgeons now claim, however, that stripping of the distal part of that vein can be avoided, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the saphenous nerve. Dissection of 60 cadaver legs to demonstrate the relationship between the long saphenous vein and the saphenous nerve indicated that stripping performed from the groin to immediately below the knee would minimize the risk of nerve damage.