Babcock's operation

 The affected veins in the superficial venous system are pulled out through small incisions in the skin (stripped). This procedure is also known as "Babcock's procedure" or "Babcock's stripping". The American doctor Babcock described the method for the first time in 1907. This classic method is used to remove the affected segments of the worst affected long saphenous vein that runs from the ankle up to the inguinal fold.

Babcock's operation

The saphenous vein can only be removed, if the deep venous system is healthy. This is first checked by an ultrasound examination (Doppler ultrasonography), sometimes also with contrast medium X-rays (phlebography). Several days before the procedure, patients should not drink any alcohol or take medicines that delay blood clotting. These include most painkillers.

📖 Clinical Surgery: With Student Consult Access 

After the procedure, the incisions are closed and a compression dressing wrapped tightly around the leg. Anti-embolism garments, such as mediven struva.

After vein stripping

After the procedure, patients must wearing compression stockings for at least three months. They should also avoid long periods of standing or sitting. During a series of follow-up examinations, the doctor checks the course of healing and the treatment outcome. Vein stripping is considered a very safe method for treating varicose veins. Possible side effects of the procedure, which usually disappear after a short time or can be prevented by compression stockings.

Professor William Wayne Babcock (1872-1963) 

William Wayne Babcock 

Professor William Wayne Babcock (1872-1963) is considered as a leading figure of American surgery during early 20th century. He introduced many innovative surgical techniques such as Babcock operation for the treatment of varicose veins, the Babcock-Bacon operation for the treatment of cancer of the rectum and sigmoid colon preserving anal sphincters, the “soup bone” cranioplasty technique, and the nerve disassociation technique for the relief of certain forms of paralysis or parasthesia due to injury or inflammation. He invented many surgical instruments such as Babcock forceps, which is widely used in everyday surgical practice, the Babcock probe, and also sump drain and lamp chimney sump drain, which also bear his name. In 1947, he received the Master Surgeon Award from the International College of Physicians and Surgeons and in 1954 the American Medical Association presented him with the Distinguished Service Medal.

References

1: Laios K. Professor William Wayne Babcock (1872-1963) and His Innovations in

Surgery. Surg Innov. 2018 Oct;25(5):536-537. doi: 10.1177/1553350618781618. Epub

2018 Jun 18. PMID: 29909745.

2: Cugnenc PH, Grassin P, Parc R, Loygue J. Place et résultats de l'opération de

Babcock dans le traitement du cancer du rectum. A propos de 170 interventions

[Contribution of Babcock's operation to the treatment of rectal cancer. Results

in 170 cases (author's transl)]. J Chir (Paris). 1981 Feb;118(2):121-6. French.

PMID: 7228920.

3: Lill G, Hernández-Richter HJ, Golestan C. Zur Frage der Operationstechnik bei

Crossektomie und Varizenstripping nach Babcock [Operation technic in crossectomy

and Babcock's stripping of varices]. Med Welt. 1977 Feb 18;28(7):331-3. German.

PMID: 846365.

Tags:  babcock operations manager, babcock operations, babcock's operation definition, operation babcock drug bust, babcock business operations management, babcock & wilcox nuclear operations group, babcock ranch town operations llc, babcock operation, babcock surgery, babcock's, operation nach babcock