What treatment do you recommend for swelling and stasis dermatitis 12 years after stripping of greater saphenous veins?

I had greater saphenous vein stripping done 12 years ago. I wear 30-40 mmHg compression knee high stockings. Lately I have had numerous abdominal surgeries and have not had injections or worn the hose regularly. I have discoloration and skin changes. My ultrasounds have shown venous insufficiency but no clots. Although I have resumed wearing the hose, stasis dermatitis is not improved. What do you recommend? I am 64.

Answers from doctors (4)


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jul 18, 2019

Most likely the stasis dermatitis will not improve and this is a permanent condition. Bleaching creams do very little to improve this.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Most likely the stasis dermatitis will not improve and this is a permanent condition. Bleaching creams do very little to improve this.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Illinois Vein Specialists

Published on Mar 30, 2017

I recommend getting evaluated by a competent vein specialist. I have seen and treated hundreds of patients in my practice after vein stripping who are still having symptoms. It is likely the stripping was not effective and further treatment will be required. All of my patients who had prior stripping are now healing well with significant improvement, so I would expect the same would be true for you.

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Answered by Illinois Vein Specialists

I recommend getting evaluated by a competent vein specialist. I have seen and treated hundreds of patients in my practice after vein stripping who are still having symptoms. It is likely the stripping was not effective and further treatment will be required. All of my patients who had prior stripping are now healing well with significant improvement, so I would expect the same would be true for you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Center for Vein Care

Published on Mar 23, 2017

The treatment depends on what the ultrasound findings show. There is a need to make sure the great saphenous vein is absent and there are no other saphenous veins present. You also need a good evaluation of the deep veins of your leg in the abdomen to make sure there is no underlying venous blockage in the iliac veins. If all above is good and only thing present is recurrent varicose veins, then treatment would include removal of the varicose veins and/or injections.

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Answered by Center for Vein Care

The treatment depends on what the ultrasound findings show. There is a need to make sure the great saphenous vein is absent and there are no other saphenous veins present. You also need a good evaluation of the deep veins of your leg in the abdomen to make sure there is no underlying venous blockage in the iliac veins. If all above is good and only thing present is recurrent varicose veins, then treatment would include removal of the varicose veins and/or injections.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


I would treat the venous insufficiency. There are likely some perforator veins and neovascularity which is a regrowth of veins over time since you strippings. A venous reflux ultrasound to evaluate for insufficiency would be the first step. Whomever u want to treat you should perform another ultrasound so they can look at specific areas themselves because not all "ultrasounds" are created equal. Then depending on the findings, a combination of RF ablation, ambulatory phlebectomy, and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy would be the treatment.

Answered by HeartCare Associates Vein Center (View Profile)

I would treat the venous insufficiency. There are likely some perforator veins and neovascularity which is a regrowth of veins over time since you strippings. A venous reflux ultrasound to evaluate for insufficiency would be the first step. Whomever u want to treat you should perform another ultrasound so they can look at specific areas themselves because not all "ultrasounds" are created equal. Then depending on the findings, a combination of RF ablation, ambulatory phlebectomy, and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy would be the treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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