Objective: To evaluate the outcome of re-operation in the groin for recurrent varicose veins. Design: Retropective follow-up study Setting: Department of Vascular Surgery, Gentofte University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. Methods and materials: Thirty-two patients with 43 operated legs. Operations were performed between January 1996 and the end of April 1997 and solely as a groin dissection; no stripping was done. Follow-up consisted of a clinical examination and duplex scanning with an ATL HDI 5000 scanner. Results: Sixteen cured legs, 17 with reflux beginning at mid-thigh, mainly a Hunter's perforating vein, and 10 with remaining reflux at the sapheno-femoral junction. Conclusion: Recurrence rate in the groin is acceptable. Stripping of the long saphenous vein is mandatory to bring down the recurrence rate from mid-thigh perforating veins. This is now standard procedure in our department.