Superficial vein surgery and SEPS for chronic venous insufficiency

Venous insufficiency in its severe forms leads to skin changes which, in turn may be treated by surgical therapy. Interventions are directed towards correction of the underlying abnormal venous physiology. This involves removal of varicose veins and ablation of incompetent axial veins and relevant perforating veins. In performing ablation of saphenous vein reflux, techniques include high ligation with stripping, radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser therapy, and foam sclerotherapy. Incompetent perforator interruption can be accomplished surgically by subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) or controlled sclerotherapy using ultrasound. A variety of techniques have emerged to manage the varicose veins themselves. Surgical treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with high ligation in the groin and inversion stripping of the great saphenous vein to the knee combined with stab avulsion of varicose veins continues to be the standard in treatment of varicose veins. There are few comparisons of sclerotherapy of perforating veins with SEPS, but SEPS has become the most popular of surgical options.     

Foam sclerotherapy for the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency

Foam sclerotherapy has been refined over the past decade to become a safe and effective treatment for varicose veins and venous insufficiency. Using duplex ultrasound guidance, it can be used to treat large and small varicosities, saphenous trunks, incompetent perforating veins, and venous stasis ulcerations. Serious complications are rare, and in experienced hands, efficacy rivals that of traditional surgical ligation and stripping. Disadvantages of the technique are the need in many cases for more than one treatment session, and lack of US Food and Drug Administration approval of all currently available sclerosants. Foam sclerotherapy offers advantages of low cost, quick patient recovery, and ease of use; as such, it is an important tool for modern vein treatment.     

The influence of superficial venous surgery and compression on incompetent calf perforators in chronic venous leg ulceration.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have suggested that perforating vein incompetence is reduced by surgery to superficial veins. This study analysed the effect in a randomised clinical trial. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of duplex data. METHODS: Patients in this study were part of the ESCHAR randomised controlled trial. All patients had chronic venous leg ulceration with superficial venous reflux. Patients were treated with compression bandaging alone or compression plus superficial venous surgery. Legs were assessed using colour venous duplex prior to treatment and at 3 and 12 months. RESULTS: Of 500 patients recruited to the ESCHAR trial, 261 were included in this study. One hundred and forty six of 261 legs were treated with compression alone and 115/261 underwent compression and superficial venous surgery. In the compression group, more legs had incompetent perforators at 12 months (77/131) compared to baseline (61/146, p =0.010, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test for paired data in 131 legs). Following surgery, significantly fewer legs had incompetent calf perforators (59/115 vs 44/104 at 12 months, p =0.001, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test for paired data in 104 legs). In addition, significantly fewer legs in the compression and surgery group developed new perforator incompetence in comparison to the group treated with compression alone (12/104 vs 36/131, p =0.003, Chi-Squared test). CONCLUSION: Surgical correction of superficial reflux may abolish incompetence in some calf perforators and offer protection against developing new perforator incompetence.     

内镜筋膜下交通静脉结扎术治疗重度慢性下肢静脉功能不全51例

目的总结内镜筋膜下交通静脉结扎术 (subfascialendoscopicperforatorsurgery ,SEPS)治疗重度慢性下肢静脉功能不全的临床经验。方法从 1999年 11月至 2 0 0 2年 8月采用SEPS治疗重度慢性下肢静脉功能不全 5 1例 ,共 6 4条肢体。采用临床分级、静脉功能评分、彩色多普勒超声、彩色多普勒剖面流速图、静脉造影、空气体积描记仪等方法在手术前后对患肢状况进行分析。结果术后随访率 90 6 % (5 8 6 4 ) ,随访 3～ 35个月。全组浅静脉曲张未见复发 ,有 4 0条肢体溃疡愈合(97 6 % ) ,愈合时间平均 (32± 5 )d ,手术前后静脉功能综合评分均值分别为 (13 9± 1 7)分vs.(6 4± 0 8)分、手术前后彩超剖面流速图静脉返流量均值分别为 (6 1 2± 7 7)ml svs.(45 6± 5 7)ml s和空气体积描记仪 3项指标术前后均值比较均差异有显著意义 (P <0 0 1)。结论SEPS对于重度慢性下肢静脉功能不全 ,特别是合并静脉性溃疡者具有良好疗效 ,如同时行浅静脉缝扎和深静脉瓣膜修复成形可取得更好的疗效。     

内镜下交通支静脉离断术治疗下肢慢性静脉病

目的　探讨内镜下交通支静脉离断术治疗下肢慢性静脉病的早期临床疗效。　方法　回顾性分析应用内镜下交通支静脉离断术治疗 2 6例 (34条肢体 )下肢慢性静脉病临床资料。　结果　每条肢体离断功能不全交通支静脉 1～ 5支 ,平均 3 5支 ,术后临床评分 (2 4 8± 0 2 5 )分较术前 (6 5 4± 0 93)分明显降低 (t=2 1 4 97,P <0 0 1 )。平均随访 1 2月 ,1 4 / 1 6条肢体(87 5 % )溃疡于术后 2 0天～ 4 5天内愈合 ,愈合后无溃疡复发。　结论　内镜下交通支静脉离断术操作简单、安全、有效 ,尤其适合静脉性溃疡患者     

Role of superficial venous surgery in the treatment of venous ulceration.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the ability of superficial venous surgery to heal venous ulcers in lower legs with isolated superficial venous incompetence. METHODS: This was a prospective study of patients recruited from a venous ulcer assessment clinic. Ulcers were considered venous if the ankle : brachial pressure index was greater than 0.8 and duplex imaging showed venous reflux. Patients with isolated superficial venous incompetence were offered saphenofemoral and/or saphenopopliteal surgery. Neither perforator surgery, skin grafting nor postoperative compression hosiery or bandaging was used. RESULTS: A total of 122 legs with normal deep veins underwent superficial venous surgery. Ninety procedures (74 per cent) were done under local and 32 (26 per cent) under general anaesthesia. Sixty operations (49 per cent) were done as a day case. The median time to healing was 18 (95 per cent confidence interval 14-21) weeks and the cumulative 6-, 12- and 18-month healing rates were 57, 74 and 82 per cent respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with venous ulceration and isolated superficial venous incompetence, superficial venous surgery can produce ulcer healing in the majority of patients without the need for perforator surgery, postoperative compression bandaging or skin grafting.     

Compression therapy for chronic venous insufficiency

Compression therapy provides a means to treat venous stasis, venous hypertension, and venous edema. Different methods of compression therapy have been described periodically over the last 2,000 years. In addition to static compression, specialized compression pumps have been developed and a technique of massage called manual lymphatic drainage has emerged to treat primary and secondary lymphedema. Objectives of compression therapy are to reduce the swollen limb to minimum size, maintain that size, and allow the patient to participate in the care of his limb whenever possible. Reduction therapy is achieved by limb elevation, compression pumps as necessary, and compression wraps. Maintenance therapy largely consists of compression wraps or compression stockings. Nonelastic devices have found a place in treating severe lymphedema but it should be emphasized that periodic follow-up must be done during maintenance therapy so that adjunctive maintenance measures can be added as needed.     

Prevention or reversal of deep venous insufficiency by aggressive treatment of superficial venous disease

Background

This study of patients who received either aggressive or less-aggressive treatment for superficial venous disease was undertaken to determine its effects on deep venous insufficiency (DVI).

Methods

From 1998 to 2004, we treated 1,500 consecutive patients with superficial venous disease at our outpatient care center. A total of 100 patients were available for the study; the remaining patients were not available for the complete follow-up duplex scans 6 months after therapy, irrespective of the therapeutic results. Sixty-four patients underwent aggressive therapy, which included high ligation with partial selective perforation-invagination (PIN) axial stripping of the greater saphenous vein, ambulatory stab phlebectomy of the varicose veins, and transdermal treatment of the spider veins. Thirty-six patients underwent less-aggressive treatment, which included high ligation with selective partial PIN axial stripping of the greater saphenous vein and ambulatory phlebectomy of varicose vein clusters but no spider vein treatment.

Results

Follow-up duplex scanning after aggressive treatment of superficial venous disease showed improvement or complete reversal of DVI in the majority of patients. This improvement was defined as a marked decrease in the size of the deep veins in 80% of patients and a decrease of the reflux closure time of the deep venous valves in 83% of patients. Only 28% of patients receiving less-aggressive treatment without transdermal laser therapy of the spider veins showed improvement in their reflux valve closure time; the remaining 72% were unchanged or deteriorated.

Conclusions

Aggressive treatment of superficial venous disease can prevent or even eliminate deep vein insufficiency (DVI).     

The clinical impact of iliac venous stents in the management of chronic venous insufficiency.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was the presentation of the results of iliac venous stent placement in the management of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). METHODS: Balloon dilation and stent placement for the relief of iliac vein stenoses was performed in 304 limbs with symptomatic CVI. Sixty-one limbs had concomitant saphenous vein ablation. The median age was 52 years (range, 14 to 83 years). The ratio of postthrombotic to nonthrombotic CVI was 1 to 0.9. The CEAP classification clinical scores were: C(2), 24; C(3), 158; C(4), 60; C(5), 13; and C(6), 49. Associated reflux was present in 57% of the limbs. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis. Intravascular ultrasound scanning was routinely performed because transfemoral venography had poor sensitivity for the detection of iliac vein stenosis. RESULTS: The actuarial primary and secondary stent patency rates at 24 months were 71% and 90%, respectively. The median degree of swelling (graded 0 to 3, for none, pitting, ankle edema, to gross leg edema) declined from grade 2 to grade 1 after surgery (P <.001). The limbs without any swelling increased from 12% before stenting to 47% after stenting (P <.01). The pain level recorded on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 declined from a median level of 4 to 0 after stent placement (P <.001). The limbs that were completely free of pain increased from 17% before stenting to 71% after stent placement (P <.001). Stasis dermatitis/ulceration was present in 69 limbs. The improvement in swelling and pain was similar in ulcerated and nonulcerated limbs. The cumulative recurrence-free ulcer healing rate was 62% at 24 months. The rate of ulcer healing was similar whether or not concomitant saphenous ablation was performed. Quality of life has significantly improved. CONCLUSION: The correction of iliac vein outflow obstruction with the placement of stents results in the significant relief of major symptoms of CVI. The procedure is minimally invasive, can be performed on an outpatient basis, has minimal complications with a high patency rate, and does not preclude subsequent open surgery for the correction of restenosis or the associated reflux. If these preliminary results are sustained for a long-term period, stent placement for the correction of iliac vein stenoses may represent a useful advance in the management of CVI.     

Diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency

An orderly diagnostic approach is needed to establish specific anatomic and etiologic diagnoses in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. It begins with the history and physical examination, including Doppler examination of the veins, in the office. When the severity of the problem warrants further investigation, the vascular laboratory can be used to assess the degree of physiologic change via pressure, volume, and flow studies. Diagnosis of obstructive and incompetent states can be established, and the one distinguished from the other. Ascending phlebography is used to demonstrate the anatomy of the veins, competence of the perforators, and the presence of postthrombotic deep vein changes. Descending phlebography is used in selected cases to diagnose specific incompetence of the valves in the superficial femoral, deep femoral, and greater saphenous veins. A complete venous evaluation defines which veins are patent, where the valves are located and if they are competent, and provides physiologic pressure and volume studies to correlate with the clinical state. Problems caused by primary valve incompetence are separated from those caused by postthrombotic recanalization or occlusion. On the basis of these findings, specific therapy can be tailored to the problem at hand.     

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.     

Role of superficial venous surgery in patients with combined superficial and segmental deep venous reflux.

OBJECTIVES: superficial venous surgery heals chronic venous ulceration (CVU) in the majority of patients with isolated superficial venous reflux (SVR). This study examines the role of superficial venous surgery in patients with combined SVR and segmental deep venous reflux (DVR). METHODS: combined SVR and segmental DVR was diagnosed by venous duplex in 53 limbs in 49 patients (24 men and 25 women of median age 66, range 27-90, years). Fourteen limbs had varicose veins (CEAP class 2-4) and 39 (74%) had active CVU (CEAP class 6). Duplex ultrasound was performed before and three months after local anaesthetic superficial venous surgery. Perforator vein surgery, skin grafting and compression bandaging or hosiery were not used. RESULTS: forty-two limbs with long saphenous vein (LSV) reflux underwent sapheno-femoral disconnection, 10 with short saphenous vein (SSV) reflux underwent sapheno-popliteal disconnection and one limb with LSV and SSV reflux had sapheno-femoral and sapheno-popliteal disconnection. Segmental DVR was confined to the superficial femoral vein (SFV) in 16 limbs, below knee popliteal vein (BKPV) in 25 and gastrocnemius vein (GV) in 12 limbs. Overall, duplex demonstrated post-operative resolution of segmental DVR in 26 of 53 (49%) limbs. Resolution of segmental SFV reflux occurred in 12 of 16 (75%) limbs compared with 14 of 37 (38%) limbs with segmental BKPV or GV reflux (p=0.018). Segmental DVR resolved in 19 of 39 (49%) limbs with CVU and ulcer healing occurred in 30 of 39 (77%) limbs at 12 months with a median time to healing of 61 (range 14-352) days. Segmental DVR resolved in 14 of 30 (47%) limbs with a healed ulcer: 7 of 9 (78%) limbs with SFV and 7 of 21 (33%) with BKPV or GV reflux (p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: these data demonstrate that in patients with combined SVR and segmental DVR, superficial venous surgery alone corrects DVR in almost 50% of limbs and is associated with ulcer healing in 77% of limbs at 12 months. These findings suggest an extended role for superficial venous surgery in the management of patients with complicated venous disease.     

Optimal therapy for advanced chronic venous insufficiency

INTRODUCTION: While definitive therapy awaits level I evidence, controversy persists regarding the optimal operation for treatment of advanced chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). We propose a pragmatic approach to the correction or amelioration of venous hypertension resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic venous reflux. We evaluated a strategy of balloon dissection, subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery (SEPS) with routine posterior deep compartment fasciotomy, including ligation and stripping of the superficial system, for use when reflux is documented at duplex ultrasound (US) scanning. METHODS: This is a cooperative, multicenter, retrospective review of 832 patients stratified by CEAP classification. The series consisted of 300 patients with C4 CVI, 119 patients with C5 CVI, and 413 patients with C6 CVI. A subset of 92 patients with C4 disease were prospectively randomized, and ambulatory venous pressure (AVP) was determined preoperatively and postoperatively. All patients underwent duplex US scanning to document reflux in the deep, superficial, and perforating venous systems. Efficacy, safety, and durability were evaluated over follow-up of 1 to 9 years (mean, 31/2 years). Uniformity was attempted by adoption of the senior author's protocol and technique through on-site preceptorship in each surgeon's operative theater. RESULTS: This technique interrupted 3 to 14 (mean, 7) incompetent perforating veins per patient. Of the 832 patients undergoing SEPS, 460 (55%) underwent saphenous vein ligation and stripping at the same operation. In 92% ulcers healed or were significantly improved within 4 to 14 weeks. In 64 (8%) patients, ulcers failed to heal or there was no benefit from the operation. Thirty-two patients (4%) experienced recurrent ulceration or skin deterioration at 6 months-2 years (mean, 15 mo). Repeat SEPS was successful in 25 of these 96 patients, and deep valve repair was successful in 4 patients. In the 92 randomized patients with C4 disease, 41 refused postoperative AVP, leaving 51 compliant patients. The SEPS group (n = 25) had significantly reduced AVP (P <.01) compared with the control group (n = 26). Complications in 825 patients were less than 3% and consisted mostly of transient neurologic disorders (eg, paradysthesia), but deep venous thrombosis occurred in 2 patients, with pulmonary embolus in 1. No operative deaths occurred. Follow-up for 1 to 9 years (mean, 31/2 years) demonstrated durability. CONCLUSION: The efficacy, safety, and durability of this operative protocol proved beneficial in our clinical experience with 832 patients during 9 years of follow-up. The SEPS subset of randomized patients with C4 disease experienced significant decrease in AVP, objectively supporting the effectiveness of reflux surgery in advanced CVI. Until definitive level I evidence is available, this operative technique is advocated as optimal therapy for CVI.     

静脉腔内射频闭合治疗下肢静脉曲张和深静脉瓣膜功能不全

静脉内激光治疗下肢静脉曲张取得较大进展,但仍存在某些不足[1]。我科于2004年引进美国“维纳斯”数控射频闭合仪(VNUS Closure System,VNUS Medical TechnologiesInc,San Joes,Calif,USA)治疗原发性下肢静脉曲张和下肢深静脉瓣膜功能不全,现将临床资料总结如下。1资料和方法1.1一般资料2004年9月~2006年1月我科共用静脉腔内射频闭合治疗下肢慢性静脉疾病45例,49条下肢。男28例,女17例,年龄18~73岁,平均52岁。术前行顺行静脉造影,诊断为原发性下肢静脉曲张45条下肢,原发性下肢深静脉瓣膜功能不全4条下肢。1.2手术方法44例采用持续硬…