“…Most patients had unligated tributaries close to the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ), reflecting inadequate primary surgery leaving saphenous stumps. Neovascularization, the most commonly observed duplex‐detected recurrence following open surgery, rarely leads to symptomatic recurrence and a need for repeat treatment, unless it originates from a remnant saphenous stump (an intact SFJ). Because of this, the concept of ‘flush ligation’ of the great saphenous vein (GSV) at the femoral vein has always been considered essential, as failure to do so substantially increases the risk of late symptomatic recurrence and the need for repeat intervention.…”