✦ CONVENTIONAL VEIN SURGERY

High Ligation and Stripping

Q: Why was stripping recommended over laser?

Stripping is preferred for very large veins, recurrent disease where laser has failed, or specific anatomical situations. Dr. Tejasree decides the most suitable approach based on Doppler mapping and clinical examination.

Q: Is stripping painful?

Modern technique with regional anaesthesia and good post-operative pain control makes recovery comfortable. Some bruising and tenderness along the vein course are common and settle over 2–3 weeks.

Q: How long is the recovery?

Most patients are discharged in 1–2 days, return to office work in 1–2 weeks, and resume gym or heavy exercise after 4 weeks.

Q: Will varicose veins come back after stripping?

Recurrence rates are low when stripping is well done with good technique. Lifestyle measures, weight control and compression stockings further reduce the risk of new varicose veins.

Conventional surgical treatment in which the diseased great or small saphenous vein is tied off at its root and removed — used in select large or complex varicose veins.

60–90 min PROCEDURE

1–2 Days HOSPITAL STAY

>90% SUCCESS RATE

1–2 Weeks RETURN TO WORK

What is High Ligation and Stripping?

High Ligation and Stripping is the conventional surgical treatment for large or complex varicose veins. The diseased great or small saphenous vein is tied off at its junction with the deep vein system (high ligation) and then removed (stripped) along its course using a specialised stripper. While modern minimally invasive options like EVLA and RFA have replaced stripping in many cases, this technique still has a role in select patients with very large veins, recurrent disease, or specific anatomical considerations. Dr. Tejasree Vengala performs high ligation and stripping at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad, when this approach offers the best outcome for the patient.

Suitable for select patients with very large diseased saphenous veins, recurrent varicose veins after previous treatment, or specific anatomical situations where minimally invasive techniques are not feasible.

How the Procedure Works

Anaesthesia & Marking

Surgery is performed under spinal or general anaesthesia. The varicose veins are carefully marked while the patient is standing.

Saphenofemoral Junction Ligation

A small incision is made in the groin to identify and tie off the great saphenous vein at its junction with the deep femoral vein.

Vein Stripping

A specialised stripper is passed through the vein and used to remove the diseased segment along its course.

Branch Vein Treatment

Visible bulging tributaries are treated with ambulatory phlebectomy in the same sitting.

Closure & Compression

Wounds are closed with absorbable sutures, compression bandages applied, and patients are discharged within 24–48 hours.

Outcomes

60–90 minDURATION

1–2 DaysHOSPITAL STAY

>90%SUCCESS RATE

3–4 WeeksFULL RECOVERY

Who Needs This Treatment?

→Complete removal of large diseased saphenous vein
→Effective for very large or complex varicose veins
→Useful in select recurrent disease after previous treatment
→Long-established technique with proven results
→Combined with phlebectomy in the same sitting
→Reliable option when minimally invasive techniques are not suitable

Stripping is a long-trusted operation, and even today it has its place in carefully chosen patients. The art is knowing when laser or radiofrequency will serve the patient better — and when an honest, well-done open operation is the right call.

— — Dr. Tejasree Vengala, Consultant Proctologist & Laparoscopic Surgeon, Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was stripping recommended over laser?+

Is stripping painful?+

How long is the recovery?+

Will varicose veins come back after stripping?+

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

Book a consultation with Dr. Tejasree Vengala and get a personalised treatment plan.

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