Recurrent varicose veins due to neovascularisation: can they be prevented?

The authors analyse the problems of recurrent varicose veins on the basis of their own experience. The 5-year incidence of recurrent varicose veins ranges from 25 to 40% after internal saphenectomy. The recurrences should be classified in relation to the site and pathogenetic mechanism. The authors assess the effectiveness of a prevention method for sapheno-femoral stump recurrences. The study population consisted of 80 patients undergoing internal saphenectomy. In 34 (Group A) a traditional safenectomy was performed with short stripping, while in 46 (Group B) closure of the ostium with a flap of pectineal fascia was performed in order to prevent recurrences caused by neovascularisation. In Group A the recurrence rate was 27.1% as against 14.8% in Group B. Recurrences originating from the sapheno-femoral stump are mainly caused not only by an inadequate echo-colordoppler preoperative diagnosis and an inadequate or insufficient crossectomy, but also by neovascularisation. The pectineal flap method in our experience is a very simple, effective and complication-free technique to appreciably reduce recurrent varicose veins originating from the sapheno-femoral stump.     

Stripping the long saphenous vein reduces the rate of reoperation for recurrent varicose veins: five-year results of a randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible long-term clinical advantages of stripping the long saphenous vein during routine primary varicose vein surgery. METHODS: The study was designed as a 5-year, clinical and duplex scan follow-up examination of a group of patients who were randomized to stripping of the long saphenous vein during varicose vein surgery versus saphenofemoral ligation alone. The study was conducted in the vascular unit of a district general hospital. One hundred patients (133 legs) with uncomplicated primary long saphenous varicose veins originally were randomized. After invitation 5 years later, 78 patients (110 legs) underwent clinical review and duplex scan imaging. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients remained pleased with the results of their surgery (35 of 39 stripped vs 30 of 39 ligated; P = .13). Reoperation, either done or awaited, for recurrent long saphenous veins was necessary for three of 52 of the legs that underwent stripping versus 12 of 58 ligated legs. The relative risk was 0.28, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.13 to 0.59 (P = .02). Neovascularization at the saphenofemoral junction was responsible for 10 of 12 recurrent veins that underwent reoperation and also was the cause of recurrent saphenofemoral incompetence in 12 of 52 stripped veins versus 30 of 58 ligated legs. The relative risk was 0.45, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.26 to 0.78 (P = .002). CONCLUSION: Stripping reduced the risk of reoperation by two thirds after 5 years and should be routine for primary long saphenous varicose veins.     

双下肢静脉曲张治疗策略

双侧下肢静脉曲张是较常见的下肢慢性静脉疾病，其治疗策略随着手术技术和微创技术的发展也随之发生改变。传统的高位结扎剥脱术创伤较大，在治疗双下肢静脉曲张病人时往往采用分期手术的策略，目前通过选择合适的病人以及改变手术策略可实现在不增加并发症风险的情况下完成双下肢静脉曲张的同期剥脱处理。随着腔内射频闭合术（RFA）和腔内激光灼闭术（EVLA）的推广应用，这类热损伤闭合静脉主干的微创治疗方法能更好地应用于双下肢静脉曲张的同期处理，既有理想的主干闭合率，也能在降低并发症、改善下肢静脉相关症状、提高病人生活质量方面有较好的效果。腔内机械化学闭合术（MOCA）和氰基丙烯酸盐黏合剂注射闭合作为非热闭合的腔内微创技术，在双下肢静脉治疗方面可能会有一定的前景。     

微波腔内治疗下肢静脉曲张的研究

目的:探讨微波腔内闭合大隐静脉治疗静脉曲张的临床疗效。方法:将陕西省咸阳市第一人民医院普外科收治的36例病人(40条肢体)行微波腔内闭合曲张静脉;50例(60条肢体)行传统剥脱术的病人为对照组。比较两组病人手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间及术后恢复情况。结果:两种治疗均可有效治疗下肢静脉曲张,但微波治疗组比对照组具有更短的手术时间、更少的术中出血量及更少的手术切口,且病人术后住院时间亦明显缩短,微波治疗具有更低的术后下肢瘀血发生率;且其下肢麻木发生率亦低于对照组组,但无统计学差异(P=0.13)。结论:微波腔内闭合术治疗下肢静脉曲张具有安全、操作简捷、创伤小、恢复快等优点。     

Varicose disease of lower limbs: our actual orientation

A retrospective analysis of a series of patients treated during 5 years was made evaluating, on the basis of the clinical and ultrasonographic examination, the results obtained in the treatment of the varicose disease of the lower limbs for each one of three surgical methodic employed (crossectomy, long or short stripping) as well as patients compliance. All the patients previously underwent ultrasonographic examination to evaluate the reflux rank of the internal saphena and to point out every insufficient veins. On the basis of specific indications, from routinary pre-operative and anaesthesiologic examinations, all the patients were operated. Totally, 784 operations were performed. Thanks to the follow-up, carried out through an objective evaluation (echocolor-Doppler) and subjective one (degree of satisfaction fullfilled through some tests), it is concluded that the most favourable method, among those used, is that of short stripping with wrapping up a silk thread, in accordance to Van der Stricht.     

Use of homologous vein grafts for chronic hemodialysis

The Authors propose using of homologous saphenous vein grafts, coming from a normal saphenectomy by stripping in patients affected by primary varicose veins. The graft is preserved in a particular solution at 4 degrees C in a normal refrigerator and transplanted in uremic patients, which have no more vessels suitable for creating a conventional arteriovenous fistula.     

Invaginated axial stripping and stab avulsion (hook) phlebectomy: a definitive outpatient procedure for primary varicose veins

The classical high ligation and ankle-to-groin intraluminal saphenous vein stripping requires hospitalization, general anaesthesia, long convalescence, loss of income, unacceptable scarring and possible permanent nerve injury. This report describes the technique of invaginated axial stripping in conjunction with tributary stab avulsion (hook) phlebectomy. Using femoral block anaesthesia with supplemented local infiltration, the varicose tributaries are avulsed, through multiple stab incisions only 1.5–3 mm long, with specially designed hooks. This is performed in an ambulatory (office) setting, making varicose vein surgery a minimally-invasive procedure. Two hundred and fifteen patients with 261 involved limbs were operated on during a two-year period. Postoperative pain and complications were minimal. All patients immediately resumed normal daily activities. Cosmesis was excellent. There have been no recurrences in up to 3 years follow up. This procedure adheres to strict haemodynamic principles. Elimination of hospitalization, reduced postoperative morbidity, immediate ambulation, minimal nerve damage, excellent cosmesis and finally, obvious cost efficiency should make this form of varicose vein surgery appealing to surgeons and patients alike by making the future surgical care for varicose veins available today.     

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??Conventional stripping combined with transilluminated powered phlebectomy for lower extremity varicose vein??An analysis of 3170 cases QIAN Song-yi?? LIU Peng??YE Zhi-dong??et al. Department of Cardiac and Vascular Surgery??China-Japan Friendship Hospital??Beijing100029??China
Corresponding author??LIU Peng??E-mail??liupeng5417@163.com
Abstract Objective To summarize operation key points and medium and long-term follow-up results of conventional stripping combined with transilluminated powered phlebectomy for lower extremity varicose vein. Methods The clinical data of 3170 cases (4675 limbs) treated by conventional stripping with transilluminated powered phlebectomy??TIPP??from February 1, 2005 to July 31, 2013 were analyzed retrospectively??The patients were followed up to observe postoperative recovery condition??postoperative complications and postoperative recurrence rate. Results Great saphenous vein trunks was stripped away by conventional stripping technique in all patients and all superficial varicose vein labeled before operation were resected with TIPP. Perforating veins and varicose veins mass in the calf and thigh were divided and ligated respectively according to the labels marked before operation. Surgical time was??62±14??min in unilateral lower extremity and ??97±22??min in bilateral lower extremities. The average hospitalization days was??5.1±1.6??d. Two patients died in perioperative period and perioperative mortality was 0.06%. Total 2747 patients ??3890 lower extremities?? were followed up in 6 to 98 months??and the median follow up time was 47.5 months. The follow-up rate was 86.7% in all patients. Total 2697 patients (3548 lower extremities) had accepted the operation more than 1 year??2265 patients (2877 lower extremities) in which were followed up. There were 133 patients ??4.9%?? recurred ??above C2??. Conclusion Conventional stripping with transilluminated powered phlebectomy for varicose vein of lower limb has the advantages of little trauma??easily operating??definite effect??less complication. The follow-up results suggest that the operation is a surgical procedure with rapid recovery and low recurrence rate.     

Stripping of the internal and external saphenous veins in a day hospital

The procedure used to carry out internal and external saphenectomy operations in a day-hospital is described. The choice of cases is conditioned by phlebographic examination, and by talks between patients, anaesthetist and surgeon. Anaesthesia is local and general at the time of stripping. The technique is the classical one of saphenectomy according to the school of Edmondo Malan, with some variations.     

Mesh tube--constricted varicose veins used as bypass grafts for infrainguinal arterial reconstruction.

Varicose veins are generally deemed inappropriate graft material for arterial reconstructions despite their physiologic flow surface because of their large and irregular caliber. Size reduction by threading such veins in constricting tubes may create bypass grafts of suitable caliber as long as redundant wall material does not cause stenoses. Sixteen human varicose veins (mean +/- SD, 13 +/- 3 mm diameter) obtained after stripping operations were inserted into Dacron mesh tubes of 6 mm internal diameter. Paraffin casts of the distended veins showed a size reduction of 6.9 +/- 2.6 mm. Wall material formed folds in only two veins. In both cases, diameter reduction was more than 10 mm. However, the folds did not result in significant stenoses. Mesh-constricted varicose veins were used as bypass material in 11 infrainguinal arterial reconstructions. All externally supported segments showed satisfactory size reduction without stenoses or folds. One graft occluded 2 months after surgery. Two patients had to undergo reoperation after 2 and 16 months, respectively. None of the complications could be attributed to the constriction of veins. The remaining grafts are patent and functional after a mean of 17 months (range, 6 to 42 months). Considerable size reduction by external wrapping of varicose veins is possible without adverse side effects. Such constricted veins were used successfully as bypass grafts for infrainguinal arterial reconstructions.     

Causes of varicose vein recurrence: late results of a randomized controlled trial of stripping the long saphenous vein

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term outcomes following stripping of the long saphenous vein during primary varicose vein surgery and to identify factors which may predict recurrence and the need for reoperation. METHODS: The original study was designed as a randomized trial of 100 patients (133 legs) who underwent saphenofemoral ligation with or without long saphenous vein stripping. After invitation 11 years later, 51 patients (74 legs) underwent clinical review and duplex imaging and completed an Aberdeen Varicose Vein Symptom Severity Score (AVVSSS). The hospital notes of the original cohort of patients were used to compile cumulative data and assess predictive factors. RESULTS: A cumulative total of 83 legs had developed clinically recurrent varicose veins by 11 years (62%). There was no statistically significant difference between the ligation-only and the stripping groups. Reoperation was required for 20 of 69 legs that underwent ligation alone compared with 7 of 64 legs that had additional long saphenous vein stripping (relative risk [RR], 2.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 5.84; P = .012). By life table analysis, freedom from reoperation at 11 years was 70% after ligation, compared with 86% after stripping ( P = .01). The presence of neovascularization (RR, 2.88; P = .15) , an incompetent superficial vessel in the thigh (RR, 3.24; P = .03) or an incompetent saphenofemoral junction on duplex imaging at 2 years postoperatively (RR, 4.89; P = .0001) increased the risk of a patient's developing clinically recurrent veins. Patients with visible recurrent varicose veins had a significantly worse AVVSSS ( P = .001). CONCLUSION: Stripping the long saphenous vein is recommended as part of routine varicose vein surgery as it reduced the risk of reoperation by 60% after 11 years, although it did not reduce the rate of visible recurrent veins.     

《SVS/AVF/AVLS下肢静脉曲张管理临床实践指南2023年版》更新要点解读

美国血管外科学会、美国静脉论坛和美国静脉与淋巴学会最近发布了2023年版下肢静脉曲张临床实践指南,并就影响下肢静脉曲张（CEAP 2类疾病）患者管理的关键问题提供了新的循证建议。指南的主要内容包括对下肢静脉曲张患者的临床评估、加压治疗、药物和营养补充剂、浅静脉主干反流腔内消融术与高位结扎-剥脱术、属支静脉曲张和穿静脉功能不全的评估和治疗、血栓并发症的管理以及静脉曲张出血和浅静脉瘤的管理及其治疗提出了循证建议。本文总结新版指南更新要点,并结合最新循证医学进展进行解读,旨在为国内同行的临床实践提供参考。     

Standardisierte Varizenchirurgie—Operationstechnik, Komplikationen, Ergebnisse

High ligation and stripping (as described by Babcock) is considered one of the main standard surgical procedures to treat varicose veins. In accordance with the requirements of evidence-based medicine, standard procedures are defined more precisely by quality management and guidelines. This is particularly important because modern therapeutic methods compete with conventional stripping operations. The intention of this article is to summarize the results of quality management for “varicose veins” of the Quality Control Commission of the German Society of Vascular Surgery. In addition, standard methods with regard to results and complications are described and evaluated, taking the current literature into consideration.     

Die konventionelle operative Therapie der Stammvenen

In the surgical treatment of varicose veins, the ligation and stripping method of Babcock and its modifications are among the most frequently used procedures. Good long-term results have been documented using this method in numerous publications. In addition, good treatment outcome has been demonstrated in the quality management evaluation of varicose veins by the quality control commission of the German Society of Vascular Surgery. This procedure is considered highly in the current recommendations of the guidelines of the AWMF. Therefore, stripping techniques can be considered as standard procedures for the surgical therapy of the saphenous veins, which meet the requirements of evidence based medicine and are able to compete with modern endovenous methods. This article provides a summary of essential preoperative diagnostics, surgical methods and variations in stripping procedures, typical complications and postoperative treatment. Finally, endovenous techniques are reviewed.     

Out-patient surgery of the varicose veins of the lower limbs: personal experience

We report our experience in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs in the day surgery clinic of the 2nd Department of General Surgery of the University of Padova. From October 1990 to October 1996, 1522 cases of lower limb varicose veins were treated in our day-surgery clinic. Super-selective subarachnoid anesthesia was used in 94% of the cases. In all cases in which the incompetence of the saphenous trunk was demonstrated, crossectomy was associated with long or short stripping. There were no intra- or post-operative deaths and only limited morbidity. Post-operative hospitalization was required in four patients (three for headache and one for precordial pain). In conclusion, the out-patient treatment of varicose veins involves the same techniques as in-patient treatment. Therefore, the risks associated with surgery and anesthesia are very limited in a specialized center.     

Randomized clinical trial comparing surgery with conservative treatment for uncomplicated varicose veins

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of medically uncomplicated varicose veins is common, but its clinical effectiveness remains uncertain. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was carried out at two large acute National Health Service hospitals in different parts of the UK (Sheffield and Exeter). Some 246 patients were recruited from 536 consecutive referrals to vascular outpatient clinics with uncomplicated varicose veins suitable for surgical treatment. Conservative management, consisting of lifestyle advice, was compared with surgical treatment (flush ligation of sites of reflux, stripping of the long saphenous vein and multiple phlebectomies, as appropriate). Changes in health status were measured using the Short Form (SF) 6D and EuroQol (EQ) 5D, quality of life instruments based on SF-36 and EuroQol, complications of treatment, symptomatic measures, anatomical extent of varicose veins and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: In the first 2 years after treatment there was a significant quality of life benefit for surgery of 0.083 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0.005 to 0.16) quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) based on the SF-6D score and 0.13 (95 per cent c.i. 0.016 to 0.25) based on the EQ-5D score. Significant benefits were also seen in symptomatic and anatomical measures. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment provides symptomatic relief and significant improvements in quality of life in patients referred to secondary care with uncomplicated varicose veins.     

限制性内翻剥脱联合TriVex旋切及泡沫硬化剂治疗下肢静脉曲张（附132例报告）

目的 探讨限制性内翻剥脱联合TriVex旋切及泡沫硬化剂治疗下肢静脉曲张的手术方法及技巧.方法 2010年2月~2012年2月,应用该方法治疗132例下肢静脉曲张,临床病因病理生理解剖分类系统（CEAP）分级为C2~5 Ep/As/Pr的患者.内翻剥脱大隐静脉主干至膝下水平,小腿曲张静脉团结合透光旋切（transilluminated powered phlebectomy,TIPP）及泡沫硬化剂治疗（foam sclerotherapy）.观察术后瘀斑、隐神经缺失、症状改善情况及术后复发率.结果 所有患者术后下肢静脉曲张消失,临床症状缓解,无严重并发症.术后1个月随访,6.1%（8/132）有隐神经缺失症状.术后1年随访,1.7%（2/117）有隐神经缺失症状.无复发病例.结论 限制性内翻剥脱联合TriVex旋切及泡沫硬化剂治疗下肢静脉曲张简单,微创,有效.     

Reflux patterns in the ovarian and hypogastric veins in patients with varicose veins and signs of pelvic venous incompetence

Patients with varicose veins who also had clinical and/or duplex ultrasound findings suspicious of pelvic venous incompetence (PVI) underwent selective retrograde catheter phlebography of the pelvic veins. One hundred and one patients (all female, mean age 49.3 years) underwent selective phlebography of the pelvic veins. In 68 cases (67.3%) a varicose vein recurrence after previous stripping of the greater saphenous vein was present, and about half the patients (n=45, 44.6%) were multipara ( > or =2 episodes of childbirth). The presence and extent of any reflux was documented and the ovarian and pelvic veins affected by the reflux were recorded. Retrograde selective phlebography demonstrated a PVI in 75 patients (74.2%). The left ovarian vein and the right hypogastric vein were most frequently affected by reflux (n = 41, 54.6% each). The left hypogastric vein was incompetent in 35 patients (46.6%) and the right ovarian vein in 3 cases (4%). In about half the patients with pelvic venous incompetence, reflux was demonstrated in more than one of the main pelvic veins (n=38, 50.6%). Fifty-one (68%) of the 75 patients with pelvic venous incompetence had varicose vein recurrence after previous stripping of the greater saphenous vein. Extension of the reflux into varicose veins of the groin or lower leg was demonstrated in 44 patients (58.6%). Thirty-nine patients (52%) received treatment for their pelvic venous incompetence (coil embolisation, sclerotherapy or videoscopic ovarian vein ligation). Pelvic venous reflux was present in 75% of our study population. Combined reflux in more than one pelvic vein was common and in about 60% of cases the pelvic reflux was shown to feed varicose veins of the legs. Therefore, typical clinical and/or duplex findings should lead to a strong suspicion of pelvic venous incompetence and reduce the need for selective retrograde catheter phlebography in this selected group of patients.     

顺行与逆行内翻抽剥治疗大隐静脉曲张的临床效果比较

目的:比较顺行与逆行内翻抽剥治疗大隐静脉曲张的临床效果。方法:回顾分析511例行内翻抽剥加点式抽剥治疗静脉曲张患者的临床资料,其中234例行从内踝附近开始至隐股交界处方向的顺行抽剥(顺行组),277例行从隐股交界处开始至内踝附近方向的逆行抽剥(逆行组),比较两组患者的相关临床指标。结果:两组患者术前资料具有可比性。两组的手术时间、术中出血量、切口个数、术后住院时间、总并发症发生率、术后下肢酸胀情况及术后溃疡愈合时间方面,差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05),但顺行组隐神经损伤率及术后静脉曲张复发率明显低于逆行组(P0.05)。结论:顺行抽剥治疗大隐静脉曲张在减少隐神经损伤和远期疗效方面优于逆行抽剥。     

The long saphenous vein: to strip or not to strip?

As 80% of varicose veins stem from incompetence of the great saphenous system, surgeons must choose between simple high ligation of the saphenofemoral junction with avulsion of varicosities or the same procedure done with additional stripping of the long saphenous vein. Many surgeons strip the long saphenous vein by using variations of Keller's 1905 report of inversion stripping. Others may use other techniques. When surgical procedures for varicose veins are compared, they are often measured by the recurrence rate. This, of course, is difficult to define. Comparisons of saphenous vein stripping versus ligation favor the results achieved by stripping but patient satisfaction appears to be equal and while stripping appears to give better satisfaction with regard to quality of life scores, in fact, the risk of nerve damage and subsequent litigation is quite real when the operation of stripping is done.