Background: This study aims to investigate the outcomes of the external banding application in patients with saphenofemoral junction insufficiency.

Methods: Between October 2005 and January 2011, 28 patients (16 females, 12 males; mean age 45.5 years; range 19 to 62 years) who were admitted with chronic venous insufficiency symptoms in our clinic and diagnosed with saphenofemoral junction insufficiency through Dopler ultrasonography (USG) were included. All patients were evaluated according to their medical history and examination before surgery and in 1, 2, 12, and 24 months following surgery. Doppler USG was used before and after surgery. Venous Clinical Scoring System was also performed.

Results: No surgery-related complication was seen in any patients. Of the patients, four were operated twice. Preoperative evaluation of the patient data clearly showed that the ratio of the diameter of the saphenous vein increased with increasing duration of reflux time. The mean score was 3.2 and 3.8 in group 1 and group 2, respectively, as assessed by the venous clinical scoring system at baseline. No patient had recurrent disease within the first three months of surgery. No pathological reflux was shown in Doppler USG findings.

Conclusion: External banding is a successful and satisfactory surgical modality, resulting in both relieving symptoms and fixing the diameter of saphenous vein by avoiding from reflux in eligible patients with saphenofemoral junction insufficiency.

Keywords : Banding; incompetent valve; chronic venous insufficiency