Strong Heart and Vascular Center

Division of Vascular Surgery

Vein Stripping

Vein stripping is the traditional surgical procedure for removing varicose veins. It begins with an incision in the groin region. Through this incision, we ligate, or tie off the saphenous vein and small veins with stitches. Then we make a second incision either below the knee or at the ankle and do the same thing on that end. When both ends of the vein are loose, we thread a thin, wire instrument (the stripping tool) through the vein from the groin to the second incision. Then we tie the stripping tool to the vein and pull (or “strip”) the vein from the leg.

Vein stripping used to be standard practice for removing large, bulging varicose veins. Now, it is not our first choice. Vein stripping requires general or spinal anesthesia and several incisions. Following the procedure, there is usually some discomfort a necessary recovery period.