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.     

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.     

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.     

Early clinical outcomes after subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) and saphenous vein surgery in chronic venous insufficiency

BACKGROUND: Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) has recently become popular as a minimally invasive way to treat chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) of the lower extremities. We report the early clinical outcomes of SEPS and saphenous vein surgery in a prospective series of Chinese patients who presented with severe CVI. METHODS: All patients referred to our hospital for the management of severe CVI (class IV disease or above) after January 1998 underwent SEPS using an ultrasonic scalpel in conjunction with saphenous vein surgery. All patients were followed up prospectively to assess ulcer healing, ulcer recurrence, and symptoms after SEPS. Clinical outcome was evaluated by the scoring system suggested by the Consensus Committee of the American Venous Forum on Chronic Venous Disease. RESULTS: Over a 24-month period, we performed 36 SEPS on 31 patients. Nineteen lower extremities (53%) had active or healing ulcers. Sapheno-femoral ligation was also performed in 33 limbs (92%). Four limbs (11%) developed superficial wound infection, and two (6%) had saphenous nerve dysesthesia. The mean clinical score and disability score decreased from 8.42 to 3.42 and 1.45 to 0.31 respectively, after a median follow-up of 14 months (range, 6-22) (p < 0.005). Eleven ulcers (58%) healed within 6 weeks after surgery. At 1-year follow-up, ulcer recurrence was found in two legs (11%). Conclusion: SEPS is safe and feasible. Early clinical results have shown a promising outcome in patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency.     

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.     

Lateral Subfascial Endoscopic Perforating Vein Surgery as Treatment for Lateral Perforating Vein Incompetence and Venous Ulceration

Background  The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of lateral subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery (SEPS). Methods  Our study was conducted from February 2002 to January 2007. Sixty-three patients with lateral incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) and venous ulceration were allocated to two groups. Group 1 comprised 31 patients (33 limbs) who underwent only routine surgery (saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal ligation, stripping, phlebectomies, endovascular laser treatment [EVLT], medial SEPS, and skin grafting). Group 2 comprised 32 patients (35 limbs) who underwent our routine surgery with the addition of lateral SEPS. Bidirectional ultrasonography was performed before the operation, and 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Clinical score and disability score were collected at the same time. Results  Twenty-nine (87.9%) of 33 limbs with active ulcers in group 1 healed, with recurrence in four (12.1%) limbs at follow-up at 25.9 ± 10.0 months. All 35 limbs in group 2 healed, with recurrence in 0 (0.0%) limbs at follow-up at 25.4 ± 10.1 months. Lateral SEPS could reduce the rate of recurrence of ulcers (Kaplan–Meier analysis). Patients in group 2 also showed improvement in clinical and disability scores, although they were not statistically significant differences (t test, p > 0.05). A significantly higher proportion of patients in group 1 had IPVs on the lateral aspect of the lower leg on ultrosonography imaging. Conclusions  Lateral SEPS could contribute to ulcer healing and reduce ulcer recurrence. The addition of lateral SEPS to routine surgery did reduce the number of IPVs. Lateral SEPS may be safe and effective for lateral perforating vein incompetence and venous ulceration.     

Randomized clinical trial of the effect of adding subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery to standard great saphenous vein stripping

BACKGROUND: This randomized trial was undertaken to investigate the fate of incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) following saphenofemoral ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein (GSV), with or without subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS). METHODS: Patients with venous reflux (greater than 0.5 s) of the GSV and additional IPVs were allocated randomly to standard surgery (saphenofemoral ligation, stripping and phlebectomies alone) or with the addition of SEPS. Patients with ulceration, recurrent veins, deep venous reflux/thrombosis or saphenopopliteal reflux were excluded. Duplex ultrasonography was carried out before operation, and at 1 week, 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Quality of life questionnaires were completed and visual analogue scale scores collected at the same time points. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were allocated to SEPS and 34 to the no SEPS group. Two patients in the no SEPS group were excluded (one withdrew and the other had the wrong treatment). There were no differences between the two groups with respect to pain, mobility or quality of life scores during follow-up. A significantly higher proportion of patients in the no SEPS group had IPVs on duplex imaging at 1 year (25 of 32 versus 12 of 38; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: IPVs do not remain closed following standard varicose vein surgery. The addition of SEPS was not associated with significant morbidity but did reduce the number of IPVs. Up to 1 year this had no effect on recurrence rates or quality of life, but late results remain to be seen. Registration number: ISRCTN18288048 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).     

激光闭合在小腿交通支静脉功能不全治疗中的临床应用

目的评价经皮穿刺激光腔内闭合小腿交通支静脉治疗下肢大隐静脉曲张合并交通支静脉功能不全的临床疗效。方法全组36例(42条肢体)下肢大隐静脉曲张伴交通支静脉功能不全患者均行大隐静脉全程加下肢浅表曲张静脉穿刺激光烧灼闭合,同时在超声引导下经皮穿刺激光腔内闭合有病变交通支静脉。结果全组42条肢体术前检查有82支病变交通支静脉,术后随访1～18个月内彩超检查证实82支交通支静脉闭合。C6级的10条小腿溃疡肢体,于术后2～8周全部愈合。结论经皮穿刺激光腔内闭合小腿交通支静脉,是治疗下肢大隐静脉曲张合并交通支静脉病变可行的微创治疗方法,安全、有效、创伤小,对于合并有小腿溃疡的患者尤为适宜。     

Initial experience of subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery in patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency

Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (SEPS) is a foolproof method of treatment of perforating veins reflux without direct surgical manipulation in the area of trophic disturbances. In this paper, we present initial case series, consisted of 5 patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency (CEAP classes C4-C6), SEPS being used in complex treatment. The criteria used for selection of the patients for SEPS was presence of incompetent perforating veins in the area of trophic disturbances, confirmed by duplex scanning of the venous system. Dual-port SEPS technique with using of space-maker was performed in combination with high ligation and below-knee stripping of long saphenous vein. No early postoperative complications related to SEPS were noted. Healing of all active venous ulcers among patients in class C6 and decrease of clinical severity score in all cases were achieved during follow-up period ranged from 2 to 13 months. Results of treatment in the presented case series confirm high effectiveness of SEPS in severe chronic venous insufficiency.     

Subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery as treatment for lateral perforating vein incompetence and venous ulceration

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic ligation of perforating veins (subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery [SEPS]) is valuable in treatment of venous ulcer on the medial aspect of the lower leg. Venous ulcerations on the lateral aspect of the lower leg are less common, but are of equal clinical importance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over 4 years we performed SEPS on the lateral aspect of the lower leg in 13 patients. Preoperative and postoperative duplex scanning of the perforating veins was performed in all patients. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 53 months (range, 33-81 months). Complete healing of venous ulcer was achieved in six patients within 6 months. Ulceration persisted in six patients, and ulcer recurred in three patients after 17, 29, and 60 months, respectively. Postoperative duplex scans showed persistent insufficient perforating veins in about 25% of patients. CONCLUSION: There is a considerable difference between the results of SEPS on the medial side of the lower leg and the same procedure on the lateral side. SEPS on the lateral side of the lower leg, as performed in this small series, does not contribute to ulcer healing or recurrence. A considerable number of perforating veins are missed at surgery, resulting in persistent insufficient perforating veins postoperatively. The poor results of this study emphasize the need for adequate anatomic information to improve the surgical outcome.     

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.     

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.      

Subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery in patients with advanced trophic lesions (lipodermatosclerosis or ulcers)

AIM: Subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery (SEPS) is proposed in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency stages C4-C6 of the CEAP classification. METHODS: SEPS was performed in 10 patients (4 men, 6 women), 3 of which were stage C4, 4 stage C5 and 3 stage C6. RESULTS: Full resolution of ulcers was achieved in the 12-month follow-up period; no post-operative sepsis complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: SEPS is a safe procedure and a valuable therapeutic aid in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency complicated by trophic skin ulcers. Compared with other techniques, it is less invasive, works directly on the healthy skin and significantly reduces skin wounds.     

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。     

Surgical anatomy for subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery of laterally located perforating veins

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ligation of perforating veins is useful in treatment of perforating vein incompetence. Over the last few years the topic of interest has been the medial side of the lower leg; however, laterally located venous ulcers (10% of all) are of equal importance. Our poor results with lateral subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery (SEPS) procedures led us to study the anatomy of the perforating veins in the lateral leg. The presence of persistent insufficient perforating veins in our patients suggests that our procedure failed because of misinterpreted perforator anatomy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Anatomic dissection was performed in 16 cadavers in two stages, subcutaneously and subfascially. Perforating veins were classified relative to the short saphenous vein and intermuscular septa, with coordinates. Three hundred fifty-one perforating veins were found, for an average of 21.9 perforating veins per leg. The results showed that there is alignment of the perforating veins according to the septa between the anterior and peroneal compartment and between the peroneal compartment and the superficial dorsal compartment. Most of the perforating veins did not correlate with the short saphenous vein. CONCLUSION: Poor clinical results of lateral SEPS procedures might be improved after adjustment of the procedure for new anatomic information, which shows alignment of perforating veins along the intermuscular septa, obligating full septa dissection on the lateral side.     

Ten years experience with subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery

We report here results from our 10-year experience of performing subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS). Between 1989 and 1999 we performed 254 SEPS in 224 patients. SEPS results were evaluated 1 month after surgery and every 6 months during observation. In the year 2000, all patients who underwent the procedure were called in for a final follow-up examination. Analysis covered all documented data of 130 patients and 146 limbs (58% and 57.5%, respectively, of those that underwent surgery). The study group comprised 51 men and 79 women, between 26 and 72 years of age. The chronic venous insufficient clinical condition of patients prior to surgery was as follows: class 3, 3.1%; class 4, 40%; class 5, 29.2%; class 6, 27.7%. Post-thrombotic syndrome was diagnosed in 85 patients (65.3%). The observation period ranged from 6 months to 10 years (4 years and 8 months on average). Long-term SEPS results demonstrated the efficacy and safety of this surgical technique. SEPS is a new treatment method, especially for patients with ulcerations. Unfortunately, it dose not completely solve the problem of treating chronic venous insufficiency.     

Perforator vein incompetence in chronic venous disease: a multivariate regression analysis model

OBJECTIVES: In the presence of superficial and deep vein insufficiency the effects, if any, of concurrent incompetent perforator veins (IPVs) on clinical status are masked. On the basis of multivariate regression analysis, this study examines the significance of perforator vein incompetence across the clinical classes of CEAP (C-class CEAP ) in relation to the superficial and deep systems, and assesses the role of factors implicated in the presence and number of IPVs in chronic venous disease (CVD). METHODS: The study included 525 limbs in 360 patients, ages 17 to 96 years, referred for investigation of CVD. The protocol entailed history taking, physical examination, and duplex scanning (reflux > 0.5 s), with emphasis on IPVs. Exclusion criteria included peripheral vascular disease, unrelated edema, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and recent (< 1 year) deep vein thrombosis (DVT). RESULTS: Limbs were stratified as C 0 , 84; C 1 , 25; C 2 , 231; C 3 , 66; C 4 , 48; C 5 , 23; and C 6 , 48. C-class CEAP was separately regressed with age ( P < .001), sex ( P < .25), contralateral CVD ( P < .2), CVD recurrence ( P = .022), previous DVT ( P < .001), superficial vein reflux ( P < .001); deep vein reflux ( P < .001), perforator vein reflux ( P < .001), and number of IPVs ( P < .001). In an optimized multivariate regression analysis of C class CEAP with all significant variables combined, age ( P < .001), previous DVT ( P = .017), superficial vein reflux ( P < .001), deep vein reflux ( P < .001), and number of IPVs ( P = .008) emerged as predictors of CVD severity (CEAP), based on the equation C class CEAP = -0.2807 + 0.028013 Age + 0.58530 Previous DVT + 0.3450 Superficial vein reflux + 0.17781 Deep Reflux + 0.14537 IPVs ( R 2 = 37.4%; P < .001).Perforator incompetence was predicted by superficial vein reflux ( P < .001) and deep vein reflux ( P = .044), age ( P = .019), CVD recurrence ( P = .038), and sex ( P = .018), as follows: Perforator incompetence = -0.2532 + 0.006457 Age + 0.41366 Superficial reflux + 0.06766 Deep reflux + 0.2450 CVD recurrence - 0.21310 Sex ( R 2 = 33.3%; P < .001). Number of IPVs per limb was best associated with superficial reflux ( P < .001) and deep reflux ( P = .023), linked as IPVs = - 0.11789 + 0.41323 Superficial reflux + 0.07646 Deep reflux ( R 2 = 26.1%; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Perforator incompetence proved to be a significant factor for determination of CVD severity according to C-class CEAP , withstanding the conspicuous confounding effects of the superficial and deep venous systems. Perforator incompetence was significantly linked to aging, superficial or deep vein incompetence, recurrence of superficial disease, and sex, whereas the IPV number, regardless of location, depended on the presence of superficial or deep venous reflux.     

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.     

超声在泡沫硬化剂闭合交通静脉治疗下肢静脉性溃疡中的作用

目的 探讨彩色多普勒超声在泡沫硬化剂闭合交通静脉治疗下肢静脉性溃疡中的作用.方法 选择2014年12月-2016年8月在重庆医科大学附属第一医院血管外科接受超声引导下泡沫硬化剂闭合小腿病变交通静脉的静脉性溃疡患者(C6期),观察术后皮肤溃疡的愈合情况并通过彩色多普勒超声对静脉闭合情况进行随访.结果 114例患者共119条患肢(C6期)接受治疗,术前超声检查证实均存在小腿交通静脉病变(1～3支).平均闭合小腿交通静脉2.1条(1～3条).术后平均随访11.3个月(1～21个月),术后1个月溃疡愈合率为100％,病变交通支闭塞率为100％;随访期间,溃疡复发3例(3条患肢),病变交通静脉再通8支.未出现严重并发症.结论 彩色多普勒超声能提高泡沫硬化剂闭合小腿交通静脉治疗下肢静脉性溃疡的疗效和安全性,具有较高的临床实用价值.     

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.