腔内激光闭合联合泡沫硬化剂注射治疗下肢浅静脉曲张

目的:研究激光腔内闭合联合泡沫硬化剂注射术在下肢浅静脉曲张微创治疗中的应用。方法:下肢浅静脉曲张患者22例(22条肢体),先采用激光闭合大隐静脉主干,再以泡沫硬化剂注射治疗大隐静脉属支及小腿曲张静脉,评价其治疗效果。结果:术后1周曲张静脉大部分消失,无隐神经损伤、肺栓塞等并发症发生,平均随访3～8个月,无残留及复发。结论:激光腔内闭合及泡沫硬化剂注射治疗下肢浅静脉曲张简便、安全、有效,值得临床推广。     

腔内微波联合泡沫硬化剂治疗下肢静脉曲张

目的:探讨腔内微波结合泡沫硬化剂治疗下肢静脉曲张的疗效及其安全性。方法:采用微波凝固联合聚多卡醇泡沫硬化剂注射术腔内治疗下肢静脉曲张病例86例(106条),在彩超引导下行腔内微波消融闭合大隐静脉主干,注射3%聚多卡醇,一次性封闭大隐静脉主干及曲张静脉,术后2周、1个月、3个月、6个月、1年复查大隐静脉主干闭塞情况。结果:86例均成功经行腔内微波联合泡沫硬化剂注射治疗。2周随访,3例(3条肢体)大隐静脉主干处轻度皮下淤血血肿,用25%硫酸镁加温生理盐水湿敷1~2周缓解;局部轻微静脉炎症状5例,对症处理;3个月~1年随访,86例曲张静脉均闭合良好,未发现深静脉血栓、肺栓塞以及隐神经损伤等严重并发症。结论:腔内微波闭合联合泡沫硬化剂注射治疗下肢静脉曲张,微创、安全、有效。     

激光腔内闭合术联合泡沫硬化剂注射术在大隐静脉曲张微创治疗中的应用

目的探讨激光腔内闭合术联合泡沫硬化剂注射术在大隐静脉曲张微创治疗中的临床效果。方法自2015年1月至2017年12月,对门诊收治的25例(27条患肢)下肢大隐静脉曲张患者,先用激光闭合大隐静脉主干,再以泡沫硬化剂注射小腿曲张静脉属支,然后评价其治疗效果。结果术后1周,患者下肢酸胀、乏力等症状均消失,无腓肠肌疼痛、足部明显肿胀等深静脉血栓症状。患者获随访3～12个月,24例治愈,1例小腿残留小面积曲张属支,经再次注射泡沫硬化剂后治愈。结论采用激光腔内闭合术联合泡沫硬化剂注射术治疗大隐静脉曲张,创伤较小,并发症较少,术后恢复较快,临床效果较好。     

腔内激光闭合术联合超声引导下泡沫硬化剂注射治疗下肢静脉性溃疡的疗效观察

目的 探讨腔内激光闭合术联合超声引导下泡沫硬化剂注射治疗下肢静脉性溃疡(VLU)的疗效.方法 收集2016年1月至2018年1月巴彦淖尔市医院治疗的180例VLU患者临床资料.根据治疗方式不同分为腔内激光闭合术联合超声引导下泡沫硬化剂注射治疗作为激光组(n=90);大隐静脉曲张高位结扎联合超声引导下泡沫硬化剂注射治疗作...     

腔内激光联合泡沫硬化剂治疗大隐静脉曲张的安全性研究

目的探索腔内激光联合泡沫硬化剂治疗大隐静脉曲张的安全性。 方法选取本院2015年1月至12月间收治的大隐静脉曲张患者100例,依照随机数字表法分为两组,各50例,对照组采用半导体腔内激光治疗仪进行治疗,试验组在激光治疗的基础上使用泡沫硬化剂注射填充。对两组患者治疗后的效果及安全性进行统计分析。 结果试验组治愈率略高于对照组,但差异无统计学意义（χ²=2.17, P=0.14）。两组患者治疗后均出现不同程度的并发症,仅皮肤感觉异常发生率对照组高于试验组,两组之间差异有统计学意义（12.0% vs 0,χ²=4.43,P=0.01）;总的并发症发生率试验组明显低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（60.0% vs 26.0%,χ²=7.44,P<0.01）。 结论腔内激光联合泡沫硬化剂治疗大隐静脉曲张安全有效。     

血流动力学校正术与腔内激光治疗下肢静脉曲张的疗效观察

目的:比较血流动力学校正术(CHIVA)联合应用泡沫硬化剂与腔内激光联合应用泡沫硬化剂治疗下肢静脉曲张的术后并发症及复发情况.方法:选取2018年1月—2019年12月我科收治的下肢静脉曲张患者120例,随机分为CHIVA组和静脉腔内激光治疗组,每组60例.术后均予弹力袜治疗2～3个月.术后6个月、1年进行门诊随访,比...     

腔内激光联合聚桂醇泡沫硬化剂治疗下肢静脉曲张的临床研究

目的观察腔内激光联合聚桂醇泡沫硬化剂治疗下肢静脉曲张的临床效果。方法回顾性分析2009年2月至2013年7月期间接受腔内激光联合聚桂醇泡沫硬化剂治疗的40例下肢静脉曲张患者（联合组）和单纯接受腔内激光治疗的40例下肢静脉曲张患者（对照组）的临床资料,比较2种治疗方法的效果。结果联合组和对照组患者的手术时间〔（43.95±6.77）min比（45.20±6.77）min〕和术中出血量〔（16.07±4.30）m L比（16.65±4.50）m L〕比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,但联合组的手术费用低于对照组〔（7056.83±940.45）元比（7473.81±1476.09）元〕,P=0.044。术后对照组的并发症发生率为20.0%（8/40）,高于联合组的5.0%（1/40）,差异有统计学意义（P=0.029）。术后所有患者获访4-24个月、（15.5±6.7）个月。随访期间,80例患者的下肢曲张畸形静脉均消失,对照组小范围复发3例（7.5%）,联合组小范围复发2例（5.0%）,2组复发率的差异无统计学意义（P=1.000）。结论对下肢静脉曲张,腔内激光联合泡沫硬化剂治疗是一种安全和有效的新微创手术方法,具有并发症发生率低的优点,值得临床推广。     

下肢静脉曲张腔内激光治疗158例分析

目的:评价下肢静脉曲张腔内激光治疗的疗效。方法:158例下肢静脉曲张患者(194侧患肢),单纯行腔内激光治疗(大隐静脉主干结扎)56例(83侧患肢),激光联合大隐静脉高位结扎术(大隐静脉主干及五个分支均结扎)92例(99侧患肢),激光联合大隐静脉高位结扎术并点式切口剥脱严重曲张浅静脉10例(12侧患肢);术后观察下肢疼痛、皮下血肿等并发症、住院时间及近期疗效情况。结果:158例术后均无严重并发症发生,术后随访2～24个月,疗效满意。1例术后2个月复发,1例术后大隐静脉主干血栓样硬结现象较明显,1例隐神经损伤残留内踝区麻木。结论:下肢静脉曲张腔内激光治疗是一种穿刺代替切口、简化操作、恢复快、腿部不留瘢痕或减少瘢痕、疗效可靠的手术方法。     

大隐静脉高位结扎联合导管泡沫硬化剂治疗下肢静脉曲张

目的观察大隐静脉高位结扎联合数字减影血管造影(DSA)导管引导下的泡沫硬化剂治疗下肢静脉曲张的临床疗效。方法选取本院2012年10月至2013年4月下肢静脉曲张患者26例(26条患肢),大隐静脉高位结扎并在DSA导管引导下对患肢大隐静脉主干内注射1%聚桂醇泡沫硬化剂,观察大隐静脉主干的闭合情况。结果患者均在DSA导管引导下成功注射1%聚桂醇泡沫硬化剂,平均每条患肢应用26.5ml泡沫硬化剂。24例大隐静脉主干治疗后即可见反流消失。治疗2周及3个月后随诊下肢静脉超声示大隐静脉主干闭塞。患者下肢活动后酸胀、乏力感消失,大隐静脉走形迂曲、扩张、畸形静脉消失,无严重并发症发生。结论大隐静脉高位结扎联合DSA导管引导下泡沫硬化剂疗法是一种安全、有效、微创治疗大隐静脉曲张的方法,但其远期效果仍然需要进行进一步的随访观察。     

腔内激光闭合术联合硬化剂在高原地区下肢静脉曲张患者中的治疗体会

目的 探讨腔内激光闭合术联合硬化剂在高原地区下肢静脉曲张患者中的治疗情况。方法 收集2019年4月至2021年10月在西藏自治区人民医院治疗的99例原发性下肢静脉曲张患者临床资料,所有患者均行单侧大隐静脉闭合术+泡沫硬化剂注射微创治疗,观察患者的围手术期指标、切口情况、大隐静脉闭合情况、复发情况及并发症发生情况。结果 术前合并溃疡者20例,比例为20.2%;术中出血量为10(10,20)ml;17例患者术中做了切口,切口比例为17.2%,切口长度为1(1,2)cm;平均住院时间（3.28±0.57）d;术后第7天、第1个月、第3个月、第6个月,均未出现伤口延迟愈合,其中术后第6个月随访时复发2例（2.02%）。结论 腔内激光闭合术联合硬化剂是治疗高原地区下肢静脉曲张患者的安全、彻底、有效的微创方式。     

Endovenous lasering versus ambulatory phlebectomy of varicose tributaries in conjunction with endovenous laser treatment of the great or small saphenous vein

Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) is a widely used minimally invasive alternative to stripping of varicose veins involving the great and small saphenous veins. We expanded the applications to tributary varicosities and compared EVLT alone with combined EVLT and ambulatory phlebectomy. The study included 132 patients (76 males, 56 females) who were treated with EVLT and ambulatory phlebectomy. In addition, 133 patients (67 males, 66 females) were treated only with EVLT. Perforating vein reflux was identified in 65 patients in the combination group (49.2%) and in 121 patients (91.0%) in the EVLT only group (p=0.000). Postoperative complications and reoperation rates were compared between the two groups and the risk factors for reoperation analyzed. Ecchymosis (about 85%) and pain (>20%) were the major postoperative complications for both groups. There were no significant differences in the complications noted between the combination and EVLT only groups. During the follow-up period (25.6+/-12.8 months, range 15.5-37.3, in combination group; 11.8+/-8.2 months, range 1.3-18.5, in EVLT only group), residual tributary varicosities were noted in 12 patients (9.1%) in the combination group and in 11 (8.3%) in the EVLT only group (p=0.813). For patients who had reflux in the perforating veins, the reoperation rate was significantly higher compared to the patients without reflux in the perforating veins in each group (p=0.015 in combination group, p=0.006 in EVLT only group). The presence of perforating reflux was a significant risk factor (odds ratio=3.938, 95% confidence interval 1.05-14.78, p=0.042). EVLT as the sole therapy for the management of combined saphenous and tributary varicose veins was found to be safe and effective. However, longer follow-up is needed for confirmation of these findings.     

Prospective randomised comparative study of visual foam sclerotherapy alone or in combination with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for treatment of superficial venous insufficiency: preliminary report

ObjectiveThe aim of the study is to compare ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS: injection of foam sclerosant under ultrasound guidance) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) combined with visual foam sclerotherapy (VFS: injection of foam sclerosant under visual control) for varicose tributary veins and VFS alone in the treatment of GSV reflux.Design and methodsA total of 133 limbs in 97 patients with GSV reflux were randomised to receive either VFS alone or VFS combined with UGFS. In both groups, 1% polidocanol foam was used. Assessments included duplex ultrasonography, evaluation of Venous Clinical Severity Scores (VCSS) and CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathophysiologic) scores. Ultrasonographic inspection of the foam in the GSV was carried out during 5 min before compression was applied. The primary ‘end’ point of the study was obliteration of the GSV at 6 months.ResultsA total of 51 limbs in 48 patients were treated with UGFS + VFS and the remaining 52 limbs in 49 patients were treated with VFS alone. There were no significant inter-group differences in patient age, male: female ratio, height, weight, body mass index, CEAP clinical scores or VCSS. The GSV diameter was 6.0 ± 1.7 mm (median ± interquartile range) in the UGFS + VFS group and 5.7 ± 1.6 mm in the VFS group (p = 0.419). The mean injected volume of foam for varicose tributary veins was 4 ± 2 ml in the UGFS + VFS group and 6 ± 2 ml in the VFS group, a significantly higher amount of foam being used in the latter (p < 0.001). However, the mean total amount of foam was greater in limbs treated with UFGS + VFS than in those treated with VFS alone (p = 0.017). Ultrasonographic inspection revealed complete vasospasm of the GSV in 37 (72.5%) limbs in the UGFS + VFS group and 29 (55.8%) in the VFS group during sclerotherapy (p = 0.097). At 6-month follow-up, complete occlusion was found in 23 limbs (45.1%) treated with UGFS + VFS and in 22 limbs (42.3%) treated with VFS. The difference between the two groups was not significant (p = 0.775). Reflux was absent in 30 limbs (58.8%) treated with UGFS + VFS and in 37 (71.2%) treated with VFS (p = 0.190). There was no inter-group difference in post-treatment VCSS (p = 0.223).ConclusionsThese results show that UGFS + VFS and VFS are equally effective for the treatment of GSV reflux, despite the lower volume of foam used for VFS alone.     

Efficacy and safety of great saphenous vein sclerotherapy using standardised polidocanol foam (ESAF): a randomised controlled multicentre clinical trial.

AIM: To assess the safety and efficacy of sclerotherapy of the great saphenous vein (GSV) comparing standardised polidocanol foam to liquid polidocanol in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). METHODS: A multicentre randomised controlled clinical trial was carried out in which saphenous trunks were treated by sclerotherapy. 106 patients with primary varicose veins due to an incompetent GSV were treated with either standardised 3% polidocanol foam or 3% liquid polidocanol. The primary efficacy criterion was elimination of reflux (<0.5 sec) measured 3 cm below the sapheno-femoral junction (SFJ) by duplex ultrasonography 3 months after the last injection. RESULTS: A significantly greater number of patients were successfully treated by foam sclerotherapy resulting in 69% elimination of reflux compared to 27% patients treated with liquid sclerosant. The secondary endpoints of vein occlusion, reflux time, refilling time and patient satisfaction also improved significantly more in the foam group. The mean number of treatment sessions was 1.3 in the foam group compared to 1.6 in the liquid group. Differences between study centres occurred with a mean of 96% reflux elimination in 6 centres versus 39% in 4 other centres. Centres with a high response rate injected a higher mean volume (4.3 vs. 3.6 ml) in the first session in a vein with a smaller diameter (7.5 mm vs. 8.4 mm). No difference in adverse drug reactions was observed between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Standardised 3% polidocanol foam is more efficient and equally safe compared to 3% liquid polidocanol for treatment of GSV. In comparison to other studies a relatively small volume was injected into relatively large veins.     

腔内激光联合手术治疗下肢静脉曲张的评价

目的 评价腔内激光(EVLT)联合手术治疗下肢静脉曲张的疗效.方法 下肢静脉曲张172例,198条下肢.按不同病因分为3组,采用EVLT 相应手术方法治疗:①A组:原发性下肢深静脉瓣膜功能不全45条患肢,行股浅静脉瓣膜包窄 EVLT 内镜下小腿内侧功能不全交通静脉离断术(SEPS);②B组:轻度原发性深静脉瓣膜功能不全55条下肢,行EVLT SEPS;③C组:单纯性大隐静脉曲张,98条下肢,行EVLT.结果 随访2～44个月,平均32个月,5例有曲张静脉复发,再次行EVLT后未再复发;其余167例症状消退或明显好转,溃疡均愈合,彩超示大隐静脉全程闭合,深静脉通畅.结论 EVLT具有微创、安全、易于操作的特点,联合手术治疗下肢静脉曲张的效果满意.     

大隐静脉传统剥脱术与泡沫硬化剂注射术的随机对照研究

目的 比较大隐静脉传统剥脱术与泡沫硬化剂注射联合高位结扎术治疗大隐静脉曲张的临床效果.方法 本研究为单中心前瞻性随机对照研究.2009年3月至11月,连续录入60例大隐静脉曲张患者,其中男性26例,女性34例,年龄37～66岁,中位年龄49岁.随机分为两组,每组30例,一组行大隐静脉剥脱术(手术组),另一组行高位结扎联合泡沫硬化剂注射治疗(硬化剂组).主要临床观察指标为患者术后恢复时间、术后疼痛程度和术后复发率,次要观察指标为围手术期并发症发生率.结果 1例患者术前退出研究,余59例手术按计划完成.硬化剂组手术时间短于手术组(43 min比65 min,P＜0.01),术后镇痛药应用少于手术组,术后平均恢复时间也少于手术组(3 d比6 d,P＜0.01).术后3个月随访,两组CEAP分级为C1,均较术前的C4明显改善(P＜0.01).术后6个月随访,硬化剂组大隐静脉闭塞率80.0%,手术组为89.5%,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 与大隐静脉剥脱术相比,大隐静脉高位结扎联合泡沫硬化剂注射术可以缩短手术时间,减少术后疼痛和术后恢复时间.     

Systematic review and meta-analysis of endovenous radiofrequency obliteration, endovenous laser therapy, and foam sclerotherapy for primary varicosis

AIM: Radiofrequency obliteration (RFO), endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) and foam sclerotherapy (FS) are potential treatments for varicose veins. A systematic review was undertaken to assess their safety and effectiveness and to compare these endoluminal therapeutic options with conventional ligation and vein stripping. METHODS: An electronic health database search was performed on all studies published between 1970 and 2007 describing RFO, EVLT, and FS for treating varicose veins. RESULTS: Twenty-nine EVLT studies, 32 RFO studies and 22 FS trials were included. RFO was associated with the worst short and long-term safety and efficacy results compared to EVLT and FS regarding 'complete occlusion at the end of follow-up', 'phlebitis', 'deep vein thrombosis', and 'paraesthesia'. EVLT had the best results concerning the long-term effectiveness parameters for 'occlusion at the end of follow-up' and 'recanalization, recurrence or development of new veins', compared to RFO and FS. Foam sclerotherapy of varicose veins is associated with a higher recurrence rate in patients with saphenofemoral incompetence compared to the rates after EVLT or RFO treatment. CONCLUSION: EVLT, RFO, and FS seem to be safe and effective modalities with good short and mid-term RESULTS: Acquisition of comparative long-term and very long-term data on clinical efficacy (particularly with regard to the formation of recurrent varicose veins), safety, quality of life outcomes and costs is needed by large high-quality prospective randomized trials of endovenous techniques versus each other and versus surgery before considering endovenous techniques as the standard treatment.     

Neovascularization: an "innocent bystander" in recurrent varicose veins

OBJECTIVE: Varicose vein recurrence after surgery occurs in up to 60% of patients. A variety of technical factors have been implicated, but biological factors such as neovascularization have more recently been proposed. The objective of this study was to characterize the relative contribution of technical and biological factors to recurrence in a large prospective series of recurrent varicose veins. METHODS: Duplex and operative findings were recorded prospectively in a consecutive series of 500 limbs undergoing surgery for recurrent varicose veins between 1995 and 2005 in a university teaching hospital. Only limbs with previous saphenofemoral junction surgery were included. All limbs had preoperative duplex mapping by an accredited vascular technician who assessed the status of the great saphenous vein (GSV) in the thigh and groin, sought sonographic evidence of neovascularization, and reported on the presence of reflux in the short saphenous vein and perforator sites (typical and atypical). All operations were performed with an attending vascular surgeon as the lead operator. RESULTS: Primary GSV surgery was incomplete in 83.2% of limbs. A completely intact GSV system was present in 17.4% of limbs. An incompetent thigh saphenous vein was present in 44.2% of limbs, 37.6% had GSV stump incompetence with one or more intact tributaries, and 16% had both a residual thigh GSV and an incompetent stump with intact tributaries. Non-GSV sites of reflux were identified in 25% of limbs. Neovascularization was identified on duplex scanning in 41 (8.2%) limbs. However, in 27 of these, surgical exploration revealed a residual GSV stump with 1 or more significant tributaries. Each of the remaining 14 (2.8%) limbs had a residual incompetent thigh GSV. CONCLUSIONS: Despite reports to the contrary, neovascularization occurs in a relatively small proportion of patients with recurrent varicose veins. All recurrent varicose veins associated with duplex-diagnosed neovascularization are also associated with persistent reflux in the GSV stump tributaries, thigh GSV, or both. Recurrence after primary varicose vein surgery is associated with inadequate primary surgery or progression of disease, and neovascularization alone is not a cause of recurrent varicose veins.     

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Polidocanol in the Form of Foam Compared With Liquid Form in Sclerotherapy of the Greater Saphenous Vein: Initial Results

BACKGROUND: Foamed sclerosing agents have been used with enthusiasm by phlebologists for more than 5 decades. Any type of varicose veins can and has been treated with this technique. Numerous publications have stressed the advantages of foamed sclerosing agents on the basis of empiric and experimental criteria and have described various individual techniques to prepare foams. Until now, however, no comparative study for the treatment of large varicose veins with foam or liquid exists. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this first randomized, prospective, multicenter trial was to study the elimination of reflux, the rate of recanalization, and possible side effects of foam sclerotherapy (FS) compared with conventional liquid sclerotherapy for the greater saphenous vein (GSV). METHODS: Eighty-eight patients were randomized into two groups: One group was treated with sclerosing foam (45 patients) and the other with sclerosing liquid (43 cases). Sclerotherapy was performed with direct puncture of the vessel under duplex guidance. The reference sclerosing agent was polidocanol in a 3% solution. The foam was prepared using the Double Syringe System (DSS) method. Only one injection of 2.0 or 2.5 mL liquid or foam was allowed, depending on the diameter of the GSV. Results were assessed according to the protocol. RESULTS: Follow-up after 3 weeks showed 84% elimination of reflux in the GSV with DSS foam versus 40% with liquid sclerosant (P < 0.01). At 6 months, six recanalizations were found in the liquid group versus two in the foam group. After 1 year, no additional recanalization was observed with either foam or liquid. Longer term studies are underway. Side effects did not differ between both groups. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of sclerosing foam (DSS) compared with sclerosing liquid in therapy of the GSV is superior, a finding that had already gained empirical recognition but for which there has not been any clinical evidence to date.     

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicose veins

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess the early efficacy and complications of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) in a cohort of patients with varicose veins. METHODS: Of 192 consecutive patients referred with varicose veins over 15 months, only 11 chose surgery; the rest underwent UGFS treatment. Polidocanol was foamed 1 : 3 with air. Under ultrasound control via butterfly or Seldinger cannulation, 1 per cent foam was injected into superficial veins and 3 per cent foam into saphenous trunks, up to a total volume of 14 ml. Outcome was defined as complete when occlusion of the saphenous trunk and/or over 85 per cent of the varicosities was achieved, and partial closure when less. RESULTS: In 163 legs, complete occlusion occurred after one intervention, a further 32 after a second, and one after a third (overall 91 per cent). Of the remainder, all other legs achieved partial occlusion after up to three interventions, apart from two legs with great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence, which failed. All 23 legs with small saphenous veins had complete occlusion after one intervention compared with 64 of 97 legs with GSV incompetence (P < 0.010). Occlusion rates were also higher when the GSV was cannulated directly: 56 of 70 versus 8 of 27 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: UGFS achieved early complete occlusion safely in over 90 per cent of legs with varicose veins.     

Alternative Greater Saphenous Vein-Sparing Surgery: Valvuloplasty Combined with Axial Transposition of a Competent Tributary Vein for the Treatment of Primary Valvular Incompetence—18-Month Follow-Up

BACKGROUND: The greater saphenous vein (GSV) is one of the best grafts for vascular reconstruction, and a variety of sparing methods in patients with primary varicose veins have been performed. Of these, valvuloplasty of the subterminal valve is useful, but reflux in the proximal GSV via a competent tributary vein still remains. To minimize the subsequent reflux, we propose a new method, "valvuloplasty combined with axial transposition of a competent tributary vein" for the treatment of GSV incompetence. OBJECTIVE: To compare this new method with single valvuloplasty. METHODS: Seventy-eight limbs in 65 patients with GSV incompetence were included. Of these limbs, 38 underwent angioscopic valvuloplasty of the subterminal valve alone (V group). The remaining 40 were treated by angioscopic valvuloplasty combined with axial transposition of a competent tributary vein (V + T group). A competent tributary vein was identified by duplex scan in the thigh before surgery. After angioscopic valvuloplasty had been done, a competent tributary vein was exposed, and was cut 1.5 cm distal to its insertion. The distal cut end of the vein was then transposed to the GSV and end-to-side anastomosis was performed using 8-0 nylon under magnification. The incompetent GSV was ligated between the insertion and the anastomosed region. Venous hemodynamic changes were analyzed using air plethysmography (APG). Values obtained by9 APG included venous volume (VV), venous filling index (VFI), ejection fraction (EF), and residual venous function (RVF). The follow-up period was 18 months. Intergroup differences were analyzed with the Wilcoxon ranked sum test for nonparametric distribution. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in age, gender, or clinical presentation between the two groups. In the V group, 27 limbs had reflux in the proximal GSV (67.4%). On the other hand, only 6 limbs (13.3%) showed minor reflux in the V + T group. A significant difference was seen in VFI at 1 year, and a continuous increase was observed in the V group during the follow-up examinations (P =.0035, VFI = 2.50 plus minus 1.21, 1.14 plus minus 0.42 at 18 months, respectively). CONCLUSION: Valvuloplasty combined with axial transposition of a competent tributary vein gives a better result than valvuloplasty alone at the 18-month follow-up. A competent valve in this location can be expected to improve VFI to a normal range.