Stripping the long saphenous vein is recommended as part of routine varicose vein surgery as it reduced the risk of reoperation by 60% after 11 years, although it did not reduce the rate of visible recurrent veins.

The variation in management of short saphenous veins may be explained by the lack of definitive clinical trials in this area.

Paget Schroetter syndrome, or effort thrombosis of the axillosubclavian venous system, is distinct from other forms of upper limb deep vein thrombosis. It occurs in younger patients and often is secondary to competitive sport, music, or strenuous occupation. If untreated, there is a higher incidence of disabling venous hypertension than was previously appreciated. Anticoagulation alone or in combination with thrombolysis leads to a high rate of rethrombosis. We have established a multidisciplinary protocol over 15 years, based on careful patient selection and a combination of lysis, decompressive surgery, and postoperative percutaneous venoplasty. During the past 10 years, a total of 232 decompression procedures have been performed. This article reviews the literature and presents the Exeter Protocol along with practical recommendations for management.

When presented with detailed information about EVAR and OSR, most patients with small aneurysms would prefer EVAR.

INTRODUCTIONThe treatment options for varicose veins have increased over the last few years. Despite al ack of randomised trials comparing the various modalities, many surgeons are changing their practice. The aim of this study was to assess the current practice of surgeons in Great Britain and Ireland.MATERIALS AND METHODS Ap ostal questionnaire survey was sent to surgical members of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland and the Venous Forum of The Royal Society of Medicine. Of 561 questionnaires sent, 349 were returned completed (62%). RESULTS The types of varicose vein treatments offered by each surgeon varied widely in both NHS and private practice. The vast majority (96%) offered conventional surgery (CS) on the NHS. Foam sclerotherapy (FS) endovenous laser (EVL) and radiofrequency ablation (RF) were more likely to be offered in private practice than in NHS practice. Overall, 38% of respondents for NHS practice and 45% of respondents for private practice offered two or more modalities. Of the respondents who were not yet performing FS, EVL, or RF,1 9% were considering or had undertaken training in FS, 26% in EVL and 9% in RF. When asked to consider future practice, 70% surgeons felt that surgery would remain the most commonly used treatment. This was followed by FS (17%), EVL (11%) and RF (2%).CONCLUSIONS Over one-third of respondents are now offering more than one treatment modality for the treatment of varicose veins. Whilst there is movement towards endovascular treatments, the problem of cost has yet to be solved. At present, surgery remains the most popular modality in both the NHS and private practice; however,i mproved outcomes and patient preference may lead to ac hange in practice. WINTERBORNC ORBETT TREATMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS: THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE -AQ UESTIONNAIRE SURVEYAnn RC oll Surg Engl 2008; 90:5 61-564

In this study, insertion of a PTFE patch did not affect the rate of perioperative complications and it did not appear to contain neovascularisation.

The aim of this study was to assess different techniques of saphenofemoral ligation in the treatment of primary varicose veins. Methods: One hundred and eighty-two patients (210 legs) with primary saphenofemoral junction incompetence were randomised to standard saphenofemoral ligation (transfixion with an absorbable suture) (SSL) or flush saphenofemoral ligation (oversewing with 4/0 polypropylene) (FSL). All legs underwent additional great saphenous vein stripping and multiple phlebectomies. Patients underwent assessment preoperatively, and at 6 weeks, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively with clinical examination, duplex imaging and completion of the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Symptom Severity Score (AVVSSS). Results: A total of 148 patients (172 legs) attended follow-up at 2 years postoperatively. Recurrent varicose veins were visible in 30 legs (33 per cent) in the SSL group and 26 legs (32 per cent) in the FSL group (P Z 0.90). Neovascularisation was present in 20 groins (22 per cent) in the SSL group and 15 groins (19 per cent) in the FSL group (P Z 0.57). Nine cases of neovascularisation in the SSL group and five in the FSL group directly resulted in clinical recurrence (P Z 0.37). Conclusions: Flush ligation of the saphenofemoral junction confers no advantage over standard ligation with respect to clinical recurrence and neovascularisation.Registration number: ISRCTN20235689 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).

Background Surgeon burnout has implications for patient safety and workforce sustainability. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of burnout among surgeons in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional online survey was set in the UK National Health Service and involved 601 surgeons across the UK of all specialities and grades. Participants completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a bespoke questionnaire. Outcome measures included emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low personal accomplishment, as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). Results A total of 142 surgeons reported having contracted COVID-19. Burnout prevalence was particularly high in the emotional exhaustion (57%) and depersonalisation (50%) domains, while lower on the low personal accomplishment domain (15%). Burnout prevalence was unrelated to COVID-19 status; however, the greater the perceived impact of COVID-19 on work, the higher the prevalence of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Degree of worry about contracting COVID-19 oneself and degree of worry about family and friends contacting COVID-19 was positively associated with prevalence on all three burnout domains. Across all three domains, burnout prevalence was exceptionally high in the Core Trainee 1–2 and Specialty Trainee 1–2 grades. Conclusions These findings highlight potential undesirable implications for patient safety arising from surgeon burnout. Moreover, there is a need for ongoing monitoring in addition to an enhanced focus on mental health self-care in surgeon training and the provision of accessible and confidential support for practising surgeons.