Summary

Our aim is to describe the results of a new short stripping technique for the treatment of the incompetent great saphenous vein (GSV) using a new developed surgical device. Patients, methods: 397 patients (498 legs) were treated with the InvisiGrip® Vein Stripper, which removes the GSV through a single groin incision, endovascular cutting and antegrade stripping by inversion. We reported the surgical success rate and postprocedural complications. Results: The mean age was 51 years, 74% were women. The success rate for removal of the GSV was 95%. The 23 failures were half patient related, half device related. In 82% of the strippings, one or two attempts were needed to successfully remove the GSV, which was done by invagination in 80%. Age, gender, BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and male GSV diameter were not associated with the number of attempts. Superficial wound infection, haematoma and temporary saphenous and femoral nerve injury occurred in 6 (1.6%), 0, 3 (0.8%) and 7 (1.9%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: The InvisiGrip® is highly successful for the removal of the GSV using short inverting stripping. Furthermore, it is simple, safe, associated with good cosmetic results and no preoperative selection of patients is necessary.