Varicose veins requiring operative treatment have been more common recently, but there are not enough studies among children dermographics because most patients belong to the adult population. We concentrated on varicose vein of under 18 years old, and here intend to report cases of our clinical experiences.

From January 2003 until December 2014, there were 6 children under 18 years old who required varicose vein management. Data was collected by the investigation of medical records retrospectively, including preoperative symptoms, diagnostic tools, treatment methods, results of treatment, and complications.

The mean age was 11 years (range, 3-17 years), and gender ratio was 1:2 (2 male, 4 female). The involved legs were on the right in 3 cases, on the left in 2 cases, and on both in 1 case. The most common symptoms were venous bulging and tortuosity in 6 cases, and other symptoms were Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome in 2 cases, pain and fatigue in 1 case, port-wine stain in 1 case, and telangiectasia in 1 case. Duplex sonography was performed to confirm venous reflux in all cases. The additional venography was performed to check for anatomical variation in 1 case, and three-dimensional CT in 2 cases. Treatments were high ligation and stripping in 3 cases, and endovenous laser therapy in 3 cases. Additionally, remnant varicosities after first operations were treated by endovenous laser therapy in all cases. During the mean postoperative follow-up period of 60 months, complications included edema of the foot and petechia in 2 cases each, and were not severe.

Operative treatments including high ligation and stripping, and endovenous laser therapy are very effective for the management of varicose vein in the pediatric population, with improvements in quality of life including relief of symptoms and management of the cosmetic aspect.