Varicose veins (dilated and tortuous veins that can easily be seen in patient’s legs) is a very common condition. Largely they don’t cause major problems and can be managed by General Practitioners with simple measures such as wearing special stockings. However, occasionally they cause significant symptoms or disfigurement (cosmesis) which may threaten a patient’s employment or cause significant loss of quality of life. Also on occasions they can lead to damage to the skin on the legs and this may predispose patients to the development of ulcers.  In these situations, Vascular Surgeons are often asked to see and manage these patients.  Surgery is offered to those patients who meet certain criteria and when other treatments such as compression stockings have failed. Unfortunately, because this condition is so common it is only those patients with more severe disease who can be offered surgery.