Are there long-term side effects or considerations in removing the saphenous vein?

Jul 03, 2012

These veins are non-functional so removing them is usually beneficial. Occasionally, this vein can add increased demand on other veins and there is the possibility of it becoming somewhat more prominent. The greatest possible long term drawback or consideration would be if you needed this vein later in life for some kind of bypass surgery. This is the vein that has typically been used for leg bypass that goes below the knee and is often used in heart surgery. Other, better options, such as arm arteries are used more frequently today. Also, by the time you would be in the age group for bypass surgery, your veins would probably be too distended to be useful.