The vast majority of patients undergoing varicose vein surgery do not suffer any significant complications. The majority of post-operative anxiety relates to the extent of bruising in the leg which is often significant and entirely normal for this type of procedure. Possible complications of open varicose vein surgery include; •Early complications: •Local oWound related (rare): typically related to the groin wound - Bleeding/oozing: - Sometimes where the vein is stripped in the thigh during sapheno-femoal junction ligation a lumpy feeling will remain for the first 1-2 months post surgery where blood has filled the tissue void and gradually reabsorbs. - Infection - Fluid collection oInjury to surrounding structures - During sapheno-femoral junction ligation: Nerve damage causing numbness in the ankle and calf region. This resolves in the majority of cases - During sapheno-popliteal junction ligation: Sural nerve injury following this surgery is very rare. If it occurs it may be noticed by the client as either pins and needles or numbness around the outer ankle region immediately following the surgery. This will often fully resolve with time. oResidual varicose veins: - Occasionally after the initial operation there may remain residual varicose veins. These can be often treated with local injections during follow-up. - Small spider veins may temporarily become more prominent most varicose vein surgery. oBlood clot in leg (deep vein thrombosis (DVT)): - You will receive a dose of heparin during your surgery to reduce the risk of peri-operative DVT. It is important clients follow post-discharge recommendations of regular mobilisation, compression stockings etc. to mitigate the risk of DVT during the first six weeks post surgery. - Damage to the deep venous system: This is extremely rare and our surgeons have not encountered this as a complication of their surgeries. •Systemic oSystemic complications are rare from this type of surgery •Late complications •Recurrent varicose veins: oIf your surgeon reviews your leg 10 years post-surgery he/she will identify recurrent varicose veins. These most likely will not be to the same extent as before your surgery and may not be causing symptoms, but the brutal reality of varicose vein surgery is that they do recur over time. •Scarring oThere will be a scar evident in the groin (sapheno-femoral junction ligation) or behind the knee (sapheno-femoral junction ligation) - this will gradually fade with time to a fine white line. However if the client sunbaths the scar will not tan thereby becoming more prominent in the summer months.