Reduction in deep vein reflux after concomitant subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery and superficial vein ablation in advanced primary chronic venous insufficiency

BACKGROUND: Subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery (SEPS) and superficial vein surgery (SVS) have been the recommended treatment for advanced chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), despite a high prevalence of deep vein reflux in these patients. The anatomic and hemodynamic results of these procedures, however, remain uncertain. It is hypothesized that concomitant SEPS and SVS would result in a reduction of deep vein reflux in patients with advanced primary CVI. We investigated the effect of concomitant SEPS and SVS on deep vein reflux as well as the associated hemodynamic and clinical changes after surgery in a cohort of patients with advanced primary CVI. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 53 consecutive SEPSs with concomitant SVS procedures in 47 patients with advanced primary CVI. There were 25 men and 22 women with a mean age of 58 years at operation. Thirty-four procedures (64%) were performed for limbs with active venous ulcers (class 6), and the other 19 procedures were performed for 15 class 5 limbs, one class 4a limb, and three class 4b limbs, respectively. Duplex scan and air plethysmography were performed before operation, at 1 month, and at 1 year after operation. The patients were followed up regularly with clinical assessment, and the ulcer healing and recurrence rates were documented. RESULTS: The proportion of limbs with common femoral vein incompetence decreased from 68% to 28% at 1 month and to 32% at 1 year after operation. The proportion of limbs with deep vein incompetence at more than one site also decreased from 42% to 15% at 1 month and to 12% at 1 year after concomitant SEPS and SVS. Venous hemodynamics as measured by air plethysmography improved significantly after operation. The cumulative ulcer healing was 85% at 3 months and 97% at 6 months. With a mean follow-up of 31 +/- 16 months, all ulcers healed. Only three recurrent ulcers (6%) were detected during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Concomitant SEPS and SVS are effective in reducing deep vein reflux and results in hemodynamic and clinical improvements in patients with advanced primary CVI. Deep vein reconstruction procedures may not be necessary in these patients.     

Is the nihilistic approach to surgical reduction of superficial and perforator vein incompetence for venous ulcer justified?

OBJECTIVE: Twenty-five years ago, the senior author showed a 55% postoperative ulcer recurrence rate after open perforator ligation. Those data contributed to a nihilistic attitude toward incompetent perforating veins. Conversely, since the introduction of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS), we have undertaken ablation of superficial and perforator reflux as initial treatment in patients with ulcers (C6) or healed ulcers (C5). This report outlines our long-term results. METHODS: Between December 1994 and November 1999, SEPS was performed on 51 limbs in 45 patients with C5/C6 disease. Sixteen limbs underwent SEPS alone, and 35 had additional surgery on the greater saphenous vein (GSV), the lesser saphenous vein, or the tributary varicies. Data were collected according to the reporting standards in venous disease. Preoperative duplex scan of deep, superficial, and perforating veins was performed. Data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method, Mantel-Cox log-rank test, or t test. RESULTS: Of the 51 limbs that underwent SEPS, the GSV was stripped in 28. Twenty-nine were C6, and 22 were C5. Etiology was primary (Ep) in 25 limbs and secondary (Es) in 26 limbs. All limbs had duplex scan evidence of perforator incompetence (Ap), and deep insufficiency (A(D)) was seen in 39 cases (76%). Reflux predominated (P(R)). The clinical follow-up period was 0 to 82 months (median, 38 months). Venous disability scores improved from 9.8 before surgery to 4.2 at last follow-up (P <.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed 74% healing at 6 months. The presence of an ulcer more than 2 cm in diameter, secondary etiology, and SEPS without concomitant GSV stripping were associated (P <.05) with delayed healing. Among patients in whom ulcers healed or who were seen with healed ulcers, the 5-year ulcer recurrence rate was 13%. Lesser saphenous vein reflux was the only factor that correlated with increased ulcer recurrence. Deep system reflux as measured with duplex scan valve closure times did not correlate with the rate of ulcer healing or recurrence. CONCLUSION: Nihilism has no place in the management of venous disease in the 21st century. An aggressive approach to superficial and perforating vein reflux in this cohort of patients with C5 and C6 disease resulted in rapid ulcer healing and low 5-year recurrence rates. Prior saphenous vein stripping, large ulcers, and secondary etiology were associated with delayed healing. A less aggressive posture toward lesser saphenous vein reflux contributed to a higher recurrence rate in this subgroup of patients. These risk factors are useful in counseling patients as to their expected postoperative course; however, no combination of factors should a priori preclude surgical intervention in this group of patients.     

Subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery combined with saphenous vein ablation: results and critical analysis

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the results of subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS) combined with ablation of superficial venous reflux. METHODS: Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed for 74 consecutive limbs (65 patients) in which this combination treatment was performed at a university medical center. Preoperatively, 58 lower extremities had an open venous ulcer (CEAP clinical class 6 [C(6)]) and 16 had healed ulceration (C(5)). Preoperative and postoperative ulcer care remained constant. Main outcomes measured included perioperative complications, ulcer healing, and ulcer recurrence. Clinical severity and disability scores were tabulated before and after surgery. Mean patient follow-up was 44 months. RESULTS: Greater saphenous vein (GSV) stripping and varicose vein excision accompanied SEPS in 57 limbs (77%), and SEPS was performed alone or with varicose vein excision in 17 limbs that had previously undergone GSV stripping. Postoperative complications occurred in 12 limbs (16%), all with C(6) disease (P =.04). Ulcer healing occurred in 91% (53 of 58) of limbs with C(6) disease at a mean of 2.9 months (range, 13 days-17 months). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ulcer healing was negatively affected by previous limb trauma (P =.011). Ulceration recurred in 4 limbs (6%) at 7, 20, 21, and 30 months, respectively. This was associated with a history of limb trauma (P =.027) and preoperative ultrasound evidence of GSV reflux combined with deep venous obstruction (P(R,O); P =.043). Clinical severity and disability scores improved significantly after surgery (both, P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Most venous ulcers treated with SEPS with ablation of superficial venous reflux heal rapidly and remain healed during medium-term follow-up. Ulcer healing is adversely affected by a history of severe limb trauma, and ulcer recurrence is similarly affected by a history of limb trauma in addition to superficial venous reflux combined with deep venous obstructive disease. Overall, there was marked improvement of postoperative clinical severity and disability scores compared with those obtained before surgery.     

Mid-term recurrence rate of incompetent perforating veins after combined superficial vein surgery and subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the mid-term (mean, 3.7 years) clinical results and the results of duplex Doppler sonographic examinations of subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery (SEPS) in patients with mild to severe chronic venous insufficiency (clinical class 2-6) and assessed the factors associated with the recurrence of insufficient perforating veins (IPVs). METHODS: Eighty patients with mild to severe chronic venous insufficiency undergoing SEPS were evaluated, and duplex findings, as well as clinical severity and disability scores before and after the operation, were compared. Patients with prior deep vein thrombosis (<6 months) or prior SEPS were excluded from this study. RESULTS: There were 27 men and 53 women with a median age of 59.8 years (range, 34.3-80.0 years). The distribution of clinical classes (CEAP) was as follows: class 2, 13.1% (12 limbs); class 3, 22.8% (21 limbs); class 4, 19.6% (18 limbs); class 5, 21.7% (20 limbs); and class 6, 22.8% (21 limbs). The etiology of venous insufficiency was primary valvular incompetence in 83 limbs (90.2%) and secondary disease in 9 limbs (9.8%). Concomitant superficial vein surgery was performed in 89 limbs (95.7%). Twenty (95%) leg ulcers healed spontaneously within 12 weeks after operation, whereas one patient required additional split-thickness skin grafting. Eighteen patients had previous surgery of the great and/or short saphenous vein before SEPS. During a mean follow-up of 3.7 years, recurrence of 22 IPVs was observed in 20 (21.7%) of 92 limbs, and recurrent leg ulcers were observed in 2 (9.5%) of 21 limbs. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to predict factors influencing the recurrence of IPVs (recurrent superficial varicosis, secondary disease, active or healed leg ulcer [C5/6], compression treatment, and previous operation). On multivariate analysis, previous surgery (P = .014) was identified as the only significant factor for the recurrence of IPVs. CONCLUSIONS: SEPS is a safe and highly effective treatment for IPVs. Within a median follow-up period of 3.7 years, only 2 of 21 venous ulcers recurred, both in patients with secondary disease. Nevertheless, we observed recurrence of IPVs in 21.7% of the operated limbs. On multivariate analysis, patients who had undergone previous surgery were found to have a significantly higher rate of recurrence.     

腔镜深筋膜下交通静脉结扎治疗下肢静脉曲张

目的　观察腔镜深筋膜下交通静脉结扎 (SEPS)在下肢静脉曲张治疗中的疗效。　方法　 1 999年 1 1月～ 2 0 0 0年 1 2月手术治疗静脉曲张 1 0 8例 ,其中 34例 41侧患肢行 SEPS。男 1 6例 ,女 1 8例 ,年龄 2 0～ 79岁。病程 1～45年 ,平均 1 6.1年。双下肢病变 7例。 2 6例 30侧患肢有静脉性溃疡 ,溃疡直径 1 .5～ 1 2 .0 cm不等 ;8例 1 1侧患肢有色素沉着 ,皮肤病损 1个月～ 1 5年。根据病情分别或同时选用大隐静脉高位结扎和抽剥、小腿曲张浅静脉连续环形缝扎、股静脉瓣膜外修复成形和 SEPS术。　结果　 34例手术顺利 ;术后 1 9侧患肢溃疡 1个月内愈合 ,7侧患肢溃疡 3个月内愈合 ,4侧患肢行游离植皮后溃疡愈合。经术后 9～ 2 2个月的随访 ,溃疡无复发。　结论　 SEPS促进了静脉性溃疡的愈合 ,是治疗下肢静脉功能不全的重要方法之一。     

Systematic review of outcomes after surgical management of venous disease incorporating subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery

INTRODUCTION: In the United States more than 6 million persons have chronic venous insufficiency and more than 500,000 have venous ulcers. Patients in whom conservative therapies fail may improve after surgical treatment of superficial and perforating venous disease, but the degree of this benefit is uncertain. PURPOSE: We performed a systematic review of health outcomes in patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency treated with surgical management that incorporated subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS), to quantify the overall rates of surgical outcomes. METHODS: Published studies in English reporting venous ulcer healing and recurrence outcomes after SEPS were obtained from a MEDLINE search. Data regarding patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were abstracted from each study, and the outcomes were combined by using a random effects model. RESULTS: Our search identified 20 studies, 1 randomized trial and 19 case series, involving 1140 treated limbs. CEAP classification was secondary cause (E(S)) in 36%, deep venous involvement (A(D))in 56%, and obstructive (P(O)) in 12%. Overall, after surgical treatment including SEPS, with or without concomitant superficial venous ablation, ulcers in 88% of limbs healed. Ulcers recurred in 13%, at mean time of 21 months. Risk factors for nonhealing and recurrence included postoperative incompetent perforator veins, pathophysiologic obstruction, secondary cause, and ulcer diameter greater than 2 cm. Complications and their overall rates after surgical treatment including SEPS were wound infection (6%), hematoma (9%), neuralgia (7%), and deep venous thrombosis (1%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that surgical management of venous ulcer including SEPS, with or without saphenous ablation, leads to an 88% chance of ulcer healing and a 13% chance of ulcer recurrence over the short term. Randomized controlled trials are needed to discern the contributions of compression therapy, superficial venous surgery, and SEPS in the treatment of venous ulcer disease.     

Endoscopic subfascial perforator vein surgery for patients with severe, chronic venous insufficiency

Before 1985, surgery on incompetent perforator veins in patients with severe, chronic, venous insufficiency and venous ulcerations was generally performed utilizing long skin incisions through diseased skin and subcutaneous tissues. Known as "the Linton operation," wound infections and poor healing complicated this procedure. In 1985 G. Hauer demonstrated a new surgical technique for identifying and ligating incompetent perforator veins using an endoscopic approach in the limbs' subfascial space. This seminal contribution marked the advent of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS). From 1996 to 2003 our group prospectively collected data on 86 patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) who underwent a SEPS procedure. Preoperative assessment consisted of color-flow duplex ultrasound scanning and ascending and descending phlebography. The patient's ages ranged from 42 to 82 years (mean 60). A total of 98 limbs underwent the SEPS procedure from the cohort group of 86 patients. The CHEAP classification of the limb disease was used: 45 limbs were classified as group C5, 53 limbs group C6. Ninety-eight SEPS procedures were performed without significant morbidity on 86 patients. Of the 53 limbs in class C6, 41 had ulcer healing within 12 weeks. The remaining 12 limbs in class C6 had ulcer healing within 6 months. In this latter group, 9 had ulcers greater than 4 cm in widest diameter. These patients underwent a split-thickness skin graft at the time the SEPS procedure was performed. The grafts have remained intact after 2 years in this cohort group. The results of this study demonstrate that the SEPS procedure incorporated into the overall treatment plan for patients with CVI produces excellent healing with minimal postoperative complications. The study also underscores the important role incompetent perforator veins have in the formation of venous ulcers.     

内镜下交通支结扎治疗下肢复发性静脉性溃疡

摘要：目的: 探讨内镜深筋膜下结扎交通支治疗下肢复发性静脉性溃疡的疗效。方法:手术治疗50例(56条)下肢复发性静脉性溃疡患者，行内镜下交通支静脉离断术，对术后溃疡愈合情况进行1~3年随访。 结果:55条下肢溃疡在10~49d内愈合，1条90d未愈，行小隐静脉高位结扎术后溃疡愈合。随访1~3年，6个月后复发1例，抗炎换药后愈合。18个月后2条复发，再行小隐静脉高位结扎术后溃疡愈合。 结论:腔镜深筋膜下交通支静脉结扎术安全有效，损伤小，并发症少，是治疗下肢复发性静脉性溃疡较为有效的方法。     

Mid-term results of endoscopic perforator vein interruption for chronic venous insufficiency: lessons learned from the North American subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery registry. The North American Study Group

PURPOSE: The safety, feasibility, and early efficacy of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency were established in a preliminary report. The long-term clinical outcome and the late complications after SEPS are as yet undetermined. METHODS: The North American Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery registry collected information on 148 SEPS procedures that were performed in 17 centers in the United States and Canada between August 1, 1993, and February 15, 1996. The data analysis in this study focused on mid-term outcome in 146 patients. RESULTS: One hundred forty-six patients (79 men and 67 women; mean age, 56 years; range, 27 to 87 years) underwent SEPS. One hundred and one patients (69%) had active ulcers (class 6), and 21 (14%) had healed ulcers (class 5). One hundred and three patients (71%) underwent concomitant venous procedures (stripping, 70; high ligation, 17; varicosity avulsion alone, 16). There were no deaths or pulmonary embolisms. One deep venous thrombosis occurred at 2 months. The follow-up periods averaged 24 months (range, 1 to 53 months). Cumulative ulcer healing at 1 year was 88% (median time to healing, 54 days). Concomitant ablation of superficial reflux and lack of deep venous obstruction predicted ulcer healing (P <.05). Clinical score improved from 8.93 to 3.98 at the last follow-up (P <. 0001). Cumulative ulcer recurrence at 1 year was 16% and at 2 years was 28% (standard error, < 10%). Post-thrombotic limbs had a higher 2-year cumulative recurrence rate (46%) than did those limbs with primary valvular incompetence (20%; P <.05). Twenty-eight of the 122 patients (23%) who had class 5 or class 6 ulcers before surgery had an active ulcer at the last follow-up examination. CONCLUSIONS: The interruption of perforators with ablation of superficial reflux is effective in decreasing the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and rapidly healing ulcers. Recurrence or new ulcer development, however, is still significant, particularly in post-thrombotic limbs. The reevaluation of the indications for SEPS is warranted because operations in patients without previous deep vein thrombosis are successful but operations in those patients with deep vein thrombosis are less successful. Operations on patients with deep vein occlusion have poor outcomes.     

冷光源引导下泡沫硬化剂注射小腿曲张浅静脉在下肢静脉溃疡治疗中的应用探讨

目的探讨冷光源引导下泡沫硬化剂注射小腿曲张浅静脉联合腔镜深筋膜下交通支静脉离断术(SEPS)及大隐静脉高位结扎抽剥术治疗下肢交通静脉功能不全所致的静脉溃疡中的作用效果。 方法选取2012年6月至2013年5月就诊的42例(46条患肢)小腿交通静脉功能不全合并浅静脉曲张的静脉溃疡患者,行SEPS术及大隐静脉高位结扎抽剥术,并在SEPS术的冷光源引导下行小腿曲张静脉泡沫硬化剂注射术。 结果共注射263条曲张浅表静脉。随访期间所有患者静脉溃疡均愈合。9例患者的9条下肢(9/46,19.57%)在术后4周内出现局部疼痛,口服止疼药可缓解。22例患者的24条下肢(24/46,52.17%)共46条静脉(46/263,17.49%)在术后1 ~ 2周出现沿治疗曲张静脉行程的黄褐色色素沉着,于3 ~ 6个月内自行消失。3例患者3条下肢(3/46,6.52%)共11条静脉(11/263, 4.18%)在治疗后1周出现沿曲张静脉分布的红、热、痛和压痛,诊断为浅表性静脉炎,外用多磺酸黏多糖乳膏后缓解。经过注射的263条曲张静脉中,245条(245/263,93.16%)达到治疗成功标准,18条(18/263,6.84%)达到部分成功标准,无一条静脉未成功注射。 结论冷光源引导下的小腿曲张静脉泡沫硬化剂注射联合SEPS术及大隐静脉高位结扎抽剥术是良好的治疗交通静脉功能不全所致静脉溃疡的方法,其长期作用效果有待进一步观察。     

Surgical treatment for advanced chronic venous insufficiency in Hong Kong

Advanced chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is an important health problem. In Hong Kong, with its predominantly Chinese population, most patients have primary CVI because deep vein thrombosis is less common. Nevertheless, 80% of the limbs with advanced CVI had reflux in both the superficial and deep vein systems. This showed that advanced CVI in this population is a multisystem pathological condition affecting both the superficial and deep vein systems. In the present study, it was hypothesized that the abnormal hydrostatic forces in the superficial and perforating vein systems are the significant pathologic forces leading to advanced CVI, although deep vein incompetence is common. This deep vein incompetence can be contributed to significantly by venous overload as a result of superficial reflux (reflux circuit of venous overload). This is well supported by the abolition of deep venous reflux as well as significant haemodynamic improvement as measured by air plethysmography after superficial vein surgery in limbs with mixed superficial and deep venous incompetence. Recently, subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery (SEPS) was introduced as a minimally invasive technique to interrupt incompetent calf perforators. Preliminary local experience showed that SEPS with concomitant superficial vein surgery was associated with a 97% ulcer healing at a mean follow up of 15 months. Significant haemodynamic improvement was also shown by air plethysmography. However, recurrent ulcers were noted in 15% of the limbs. Thus, SEPS with superficial vein surgery where appropriate can be the optimal operative treatment strategy for advanced CVI in the local population, although ulcer recurrence remains a concern.      

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目的：探讨下肢原发性静脉返流性疾病的综合外科治疗效果,方法：从1996年2月至2000年9月,对患者肢原发性静脉返流性疾病的108例126条肢体进行了综合性外科手术治疗,所有肢体均行浅静脉手术,83例97条肢体在浅静脉手术同时行股静脉瓣外修复成形成,22例26条同时行股静脉瓣膜外修成形术＋腔镜筋膜下交通静脉结扎术（SEPS）,3例3条同时行SEPS。结果：80．2％（１０１／１２６）的患肢静脉性跛行,酸胀,疼痛等症状消失,１９．８％（２５／１２６）的患肢状明显改善,所有肢体静脉曲线消失,行浅和深静脉系统手术的肢体中有１０条合并溃疡,术后３－６个月,有８条溃疡愈合,２条明显缩小,在浅或（和）深静脉手术基础上加作ＳＥＰＳ的２３例２６条肢体的静脉性溃疡,有２４条术后１４－３2d愈合,２条也明显缩小,全组经彩超复查８９．７％的肢体深静脉瓣膜功能恢复正常,结论：对重度下肢原发性静脉返流性疾病人的浅静脉,深静脉和交通静脉三个系统的疾病变同时综合性的给予外科治疗,可大大提高临床疗效。     

New approaches to an old and vexing problem: improving the results of SEPS: an overview

Lipodermatosclerosis and chronic ulceration have been longstanding and vexing problems caused by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). While traditional approaches have been mainly medical with the use of compression, bedrest, and elevation; operative therapy for CVI has now been shown to cause earlier healing with fewer ulcer recurrences. The development of subfascial endoscopic surgery (SEPS) promises a more elegant approach applicable to outpatient or day surgery. However, in a recent trial, early results showed a 22% ulcer recurrence at 30 months, which did not compare favorably with traditional approaches. We have used extrafascial perforator interruption for SEPS recurrence and have now modified our SEPS approach particularly for low-lying ulcers. This overview suggests use of a combination of SEPS with an extrafascial perforator division when skin change relates to retro or submalleolar perforating veins. Several procedures, rather than one intervention may be required in CVI to prevent or divert transmission of venous hypertension to areas of affected skin, including saphenous stripping, staged valveplasty and treatment of iliac occlusions.     

内镜筋膜下交通静脉结扎治疗慢性下肢静脉性溃疡的临床体会

目的:探讨内镜筋膜下交通静脉结扎术(subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery,SEPS)治疗慢性下肢静脉性溃疡的临床效果。方法:回顾分析78例,86条下肢慢性静脉性溃疡患者行内镜深筋膜下交通静脉离断+大隐静脉高位结扎并抽剥术的临床资料。结果:患者术后均恢复良好,浅静脉曲张消失,溃疡愈合,未发生明显并发症,随访1~3年,无皮肤溃疡及浅静脉曲张复发。结论:大隐静脉高位结扎剥脱术+SEPS治疗下肢静脉性溃疡有效,患者创伤小、康复快,效果好。     

True long-term healing and recurrence of venous leg ulcers following SEPS combined with superficial venous surgery: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The role of perforator surgery remains unclear in the management of patients with leg ulcers. The aim of this study was to assess long-term healing and recurrence rates of leg ulcers following surgical intervention with combined Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (SEPS) and superficial venous surgery. METHOD: Case series with prospective long-term follow-up of 90 consecutive patients operated on with open (CEAP C6) or healed (CEAP C5) venous ulcers in 97 legs. Popliteal vein reflux was present in 21 legs. All 97 legs were treated with SEPS and 87% had additional superficial venous surgery. Patients were follow-up for a median of 77 months (range 60-112 months) with a minimum of 5 years. RESULTS: 87% of all ulcerated legs healed. The three and five year recurrence rates were 8% and 18% respectively among survivors. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis previous vein surgery was the only factor significantly associated with recurrent ulceration (p=.004). CONCLUSION: SEPS combined with superficial venous surgery leads to healing with a low recurrence rate in patients with open and healed venous ulcers. Previous venous surgery was found to be a significant risk factor for ulcer recurrence. This result emphasizes the importance of assiduous technique for varicose vein surgery and suggests a continuing role for perforator surgery in leg ulcer patients.     

Recurrence of chronic venous ulcers on the basis of clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathophysiologic criteria and air plethysmography

INTRODUCTION: Leg ulcers associated with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) frequently recur after healing. The risk of recurrence has not been well defined for patients in different anatomic and hemodynamic groups. We reviewed the risk of ulcer recurrence on the basis of clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathophysiologic criteria and hemodynamic characteristics of the affected limb as assessed with air plethysmography (APG). METHODS: Ninety-nine limbs with class 6 CVI were assessed clinically and with standing duplex ultrasound scanning and APG for the definition of clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathophysiologic criteria. Leg ulcers were treated with high-pressure compression protocols. Surgical correction of venous abnormalities was offered to patients with appropriate conditions. After ulcer healing, the limbs were placed in compressive garments and followed at 6-month intervals for ulcer recurrence. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 54.3 years, and 46% of the patients were female. Corrective venous surgery was performed in 37 limbs. The mean follow-up time for all 99 limbs was 28 months. The ulcer recurrence rate with life table was 37% +/- 6% at 3 years and 48% +/- 10% at 5 years. The patients who underwent venous surgery had a significantly lower recurrence rate (27% +/- 9% at 48 months) than did those patients who had not undergone surgery (67% +/- 8% at 48 months; P =.005). The patients with deep venous insufficiency (DVI; n = 51) had significantly higher recurrence rates (66% +/- 8% at 48 months) than did the patients without DVI (n = 48; 29% +/- 9% at 48 months; P =.006). This difference was significant even after accounting for the effects of surgery (P =.03).The hazard ratio of ulcer recurrence increases by 14% for every unit increase in the venous filling index (VFI; P =.001). This remains significant even after accounting for the effects of surgery (P =.001). The combination of DVI and a VFI of more than 4 mL/s yields a risk of ulcer recurrence of 43% +/- 9% at 1 year and 60% +/- 10% at 2 years. CONCLUSION: Leg ulcers associated with CVI have a high rate of recurrence. Ulcer recurrence is significantly increased in patients with DVI and in patients who do not have venous abnormalities corrected surgically. The VFI obtained from APG is useful in the prediction of increased risk for recurrence, particularly in association with anatomic data.     

Clinical outcomes and changes in venous hemodynamics after subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery

Background: We evaluated the clinical results of subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery (SEPS) in patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) (clinical class 4–6) and assessed the hemodynamic changes associated with SEPS using air plethysmography (APG). Methods: Forty-five patients with severe CVI who had undergone SEPS were evaluated. Clinical score and venous hemodynamics, as measured by APG before operation and at 1 month and 1 year after operation, were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Patient satisfaction (on a visual analogue scale of 0 to 100%) was also assessed. Results: There were 29 men and 16 women; their mean age was 60 years (range, 37–83). Thirty-five patients (78%) had active venous ulcers; the ulcers mean size was 7.8 ± 11.9 cm² and the mean duration of ulceration was 9 ± 10 months. There were no hospital deaths. Postoperative complications were uncommon (one groin wound infection and one case of thrombophlebitis). At a mean follow-up of 15 ± 9 months, 34 ulcers (97%) had healed. The cumulative ulcer healing was 82% at 3 months. There were five recurrent ulcers (15%). Significant improvement was seen in the clinical scores (10 ± 3 before operation, 6 ± 4 at 1 month, and 4 ± 3 at 1 year after operation). The venous filling index was also significantly improved after operation; this improvement was maintained at 1-year follow-up (7.36 ± 6.23 ml/sec before operation, 3.63 ± 3.90 ml/sec at 1 month, and 3.14 ± 2.06 ml/sec at 1 year). The degree of patient satisfaction was also remarkable, with 74 ± 17% and 90 ± 12% satisfaction at 1-month and 1-year follow-up, respectively. Conclusions: SEPS is a safe and effective treatment for patients with severe CVI. It leads to hemodynamic improvement, with rapid ulcer healing, and it is associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction.     

筋膜下内镜交通支离断术治疗下肢静脉性溃疡的体会

目的:探讨深筋膜下内镜交通支静脉离断术(subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery,SEPS)治疗下肢静脉性溃疡的可行性及应用价值。方法:回顾分析2008年12月至2011年4月为7例(8条肢体)下肢静脉性溃疡伴下肢静脉交通支瓣膜功能不全患者行大隐静脉剥脱术及SEPS的临床资料。结果:7例(8条肢体)手术均获成功,曲张静脉团块消失,下肢静脉血淤滞得到解决,色素沉着减轻,溃疡愈合。术后随访1～3年,无一例复发。结论:SEPS适于治疗下肢静脉交通支瓣膜功能不全的下肢静脉性溃疡患者,手术创伤小、安全、简单、易行,疗效确切,应用价值较高。     

Development of perforator vein surgery from the Linton and Cockett procedure to endoscopic dissection

Interruption of incompetent perforator veins (PV) is regarded as one of the principles of therapy in cases of severe stages of chronic venous insufficiency. This paper is to demonstrate the development of PV surgery from the original procedure (termed the radical Linton's operation after its originator) to minimal invasive approaches as the subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS). Subfascial or epifascial interruption is frequently complicated by poor postoperative wound healing (sometimes more than 50%) even in cases with smaller incisions as the former Linton's procedure. PV interruption by hooks and special knives has been in wide use, however, the procedure is not as precise as a direct subfascial approach. The blind subfascial perforator interruption and fasciotomy by Hach has been advocated in severe forms of chronic venous insufficiency. It was Hauer at the beginning of the eighties who introduced a video-controlled surgical approach using a scope with fiberoptic lighting and video camera. At this time, a variety of instruments and modified techniques exists, but the effect of SEPS on venous hemodynamics and clinical outcome is not totally proven due to an additional reflux or obstruction in the deep or saphenous veins and concurrent epifascial surgery. A lower rate of complications of the endoscopic procedures is described, however, there is still a rate of about 5% hematoma and about 7% delayed wound healing. SEPS is an important adjunct in severe cases of PV insufficiency with chronic venous ulcers and lipodermatosclerosis. SEPS will fail in circular crural ulceration where the lesion should be totally excised and covered with skin transplantation. Up to now there is no study to demonstrate the efficacy of SEPS in patients with primary saphenous vein incompetence without deep reflux.     

Safety,feasibility, and early efficacy of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery: A preliminary report from the North American registry

Purpose: The North American Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (NASEPS) Registry was established to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of minimally invasive endoscopic Linton operations for treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 151 patients who underwent attempt at 158 SEPS in 17 medical centers in the United States and Canada between June 1993 and February 1996.Results: SEPS was completed on 155 limbs of 148 patients, 81 male and 67 female (mean age, 56 years; range, 27 to 87 years). Three procedures were aborted. Seven patients had bilateral procedures (data from one limb were analyzed). One hundred four limbs (70%) had active ulcers, and 22 (15%) had healed ulcers. A single endoscopic port without insufflation was used in 66 procedures (45%) and laparoscopic instrumentation, with two or three ports, in 82 (55%), with CO₂ insufflation in 78 (53%). A tourniquet was used on 112 patients (76%). Concomitant venous procedures were performed in 106 patients (72%; saphenous stripping in 71, high ligation in 17, varicosity avulsion in 85). No early deaths or thromboembolism occurred. Complications included wound infections (9), superficial thrombophlebitis (5), cellulitis (4), and saphenous neuralgia (10). Seven patients with wound infection had open ulcers; nine of 10 with neuralgia had concomitant procedures. A roll-on tourniquet caused skin necrosis in one patient. The clinical score improved from 9.4 to 2.9 after surgery (p < 0.0001). Mean follow-up was 5.4 months; 31 patients had ≥6 months follow-up. Ulcers healed in 88% (75 of 85); recurrence or new ulcer was reported in 3% (4 of 120).Conclusions: The SEPS modified Linton operation appears safe, with no postoperative deaths or early thromboembolism. Wound infection after SEPS remains important. Early results indicate rapid ulcer healing. Prospective evaluation of long-term results is warranted. (J Vasc Surg 1997;25:94-105.)