Summary

The surgical treatment of varicose veins has been the general accepted state of the art for more than one hundred years. Prof Wolfgang Hach played a decisive role in the development of a scientific basis for the surgical treatment of varicose veins. This article gives a short overview of today's standard, highlighted by personal remarks from the author. More than ten yearsago endovascular methods were developed, and a modification of sclerotherapywith foam has been established. The differences of these treatments are shown and discussed subjectively. In conclusion, however, because of the uncertain long-term results, the author still prefers surgical treatment.