Crossectomy

Also called high saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal ligation. Surgical procedure for varicose veins usually performed under general anaesthesia. The trunk veins are exposed through an incision in the skin, tied off, and cut off at the site where they meet the deep vein system thus interrupting the blood flow. All side branch veins in the area, including the healthy ones, are also cut off during the procedure. Operations on the great saphenous vein (see trunk veins) are performed in the groin and those on the small saphenous vein (see trunk veins) in the hollow of the knee. Surgery at the level of the knee is more complicated than in the groin.

Crossectomy is usually combined with further surgical procedures such as stripping. You may need to stay up to 3 days in hospital after the operation and will generally be off work for 1-2 weeks.

If varicose veins reappear in the same place and further surgery is necessary, the second operation is technically more difficult and associated with significantly more complications.