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.     

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.     

Transcatheter Duplex Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy for Treatment of Greater Saphenous Vein Reflux: Preliminary Report

Background. Surgical ligation and stripping of the greater saphenous vein has been the gold standard for treatment of saphenofemoral junction incompetence for several years. Although sclerotherapy of the greater saphenous vein has also been advocated by some phlebologists, the procedure can be technically challenging and has resulted in inadvertent nontarget injection.
Objective. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of transcatheter duplex-guided sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicose veins due to saphenofemoral junction reflux.
Methods. Fifty-one greater saphenous veins in 50 patients were treated with transcatheter sclerotherapy. Using local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance, the greater saphenous vein was entered 15–45 cm below the saphenofemoral junction. An infusion catheter was placed over a guidewire and positioned under ultrasound guidance, and 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate was administered below the saphenofemoral junction and along the course of an "empty" greater saphenous vein via the catheter.
Results. Catheter placement and treatment was possible in all patients, with 2–5 ml of 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate administered per session. At the 24-hour and 1-week follow-ups, all treated greater saphenous vein segments were closed following initial treatment, with no flow detectable by continuous wave or color Doppler interrogation. No patients required re-treatment, with all veins remaining closed at 2- to 12-months follow-up. There have been no adverse reactions.
Conclusion. Transcatheter duplex ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy should improve both the safety and efficacy of treatment compared to conventional ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy and offers an alternative to surgical ligation and stripping for those patients wishing to avoid surgery.     

Update of endovenous treatment modalities for insufficient saphenous veins—A review of literature

Lower-limb venous insufficiency resulting from saphenous vein incompetence is a common disorder, increasing with age. For decades, surgical stripping of the great saphenous vein has been the gold standard in varicose vein treatment. The desire to optimize outcomes of treatment and reduce surgical trauma has led to the development of endovenous techniques. Today, several endovenous techniques are available to ablate the saphenous vein segments with abnormal vein valve function. In this review, we discuss the techniques, mechanisms of action, outcomes, and complications of all endovenous treatment modalities for the treatment of symptomatic lower-limb varicose veins.     

原发性下肢浅静脉曲张压力治疗的研究进展

原发性下肢浅静脉曲张是临床上常见的静脉疾病,多发生在大隐静脉及小隐静脉系统,目前,临床治疗以大隐静脉高位结扎联合剥脱术、腔内射频闭合术、泡沫硬化剂治疗等为主.压力治疗是下肢静脉曲张围手术期治疗的常规措施,但是仍缺乏统一的临床操作标准,本文以国内外新版临床指南和共识为基础,结合近年文献,对压力治疗方式、应用范围、压力强度...     

Stripping operation with sclerotherapy for primary varicose veins due to greater saphenous vein reflux: three-year results

The purpose of this study was to compare the recurrence-free rates of stripping with varicectomy and stripping with sclerotherapy for the treatment of primary varicose veins due to greater saphenous vein insufficiency. This is a multicenter retrospective analysis of 186 patients and 220 limbs treated for primary varicose veins due to greater saphenous vein reflux from January 1996 to December 1997. The difference between the two groups was evaluated by the Chi(2) test or t-test. The recurrence-free rates were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier life-table method. The mean follow-up period was 3.2 +/- 1.1 years. The clinical backgrounds of patients with varicectomy stripping and sclerotherapy stripping were not significantly different between the two groups. The overall recurrence-free rates at 1 and 3 years were 97.0% and 91.4%, respectively. The recurrence-free rates at 3 years were 93.5% for stripping with varicectomy and 88.6% for stripping with sclerotherapy. No statistical difference was found between the two groups. The recurrence rate after stripping with sclerotherapy was equivalent to that after stripping with varicectomy. Thus concurrent varicectomy can be replaced with sclerotherapy.     

Endovenous radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of varicose veins

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is the most common vascular disease and represents a significant health care problem in the United States. Reflux of the great saphenous vein is the most common cause of this condition, whose symptoms include varicose veins, leg swelling, skin discoloration, and ulceration. The traditional treatment of this condition is saphenofemoral ligation with stripping of the saphenous vein followed by varicose vein removal, if necessary. Recent advances in minimally invasive endovenous therapy have led to the development of catheter-based radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the saphenous vein, which has gained an increasing acceptance in clinical practice. Endovenous RFA was introduced into clinical practice in Europe in 1998 and in the United States in 1999. Since then, over 250,000 procedures have been performed worldwide. Procedure safety and efficacy are well understood, with over 60 publications on the subject in the peer review literature, including four randomized trials comparing this technology with traditional vein stripping surgery. With the advent of tumescent anesthesia, the majority of RFA procedures are now performed in an office setting. This article examines the current technology using RFA in saphenous vein ablation with the Closure catheter system. Procedural techniques and clinical outcome using RFA in saphenous vein ablation are discussed. Clinical data comparing RFA versus saphenous vein stripping are also examined. Lastly, the clinical utility of a new RFA catheter, ClosureFAST, is discussed. ClosureFAST is a new generation of RFA catheter and has exhibited significant improvement in the ease of use and the procedure speed over the previous generation catheters while maintaining the favorable patient recovery profile seen with the RFA technology.     

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.     

日间手术模式下腔内射频消融术与静脉剥脱导管主干剥脱术治疗大隐静脉曲张疗效比较

目的 比较日间手术模式下大隐静脉腔内射频消融术与静脉剥脱导管主干剥脱治疗大隐静脉曲张的安全性及有效性.方法 收集2020年2月至2021年1月大连市金州区第一人民医院收治的84例行日间手术的大隐静脉曲张患者的临床资料,根据手术方式的不同将患者分为射频组(n=44,采用大隐静脉主干射频消融术+小腿浅表静脉泡沫硬化+部分小...     

Saphenous ablation: sclerosant or sclerofoam?

During the last half of the 20th century, sclerotherapy as a major treatment of varicose veins came and went. At first, it was widely heralded as a substitute for surgery but after a prospective randomized study by Hobbs, interest in sclerotherapy waned. Just before the turn of the 21st century, Cabrera published his experience with foamed sclerosant in patients with great saphenous varices and arteriovenous malformations. Cabrera designed his treatment with the specific aim of obliterating the saphenous trunks. His technique consisted of filling the great saphenous vein in the thigh or the small saphenous vein in the calf with foamed sclerosant injected under ultrasound control. His initial report on long-term follow-up revealed that the results were at least comparable to surgery and perhaps somewhat better and his results have been confirmed by others. Investigations into treatment of small vein varices, including telangiectasias, has resulted in the finding that foam results in a 20% improved appearance compared to liquid sclerosant. The most popular sclerosants currently used as foams are polidocanol and sodium tetradecyl sulfate and of the many techniques used in making foams, the technique of Tessari has proven most popular. No randomized clinical trial comparing this technique to surgery has been published; however, the clinical series reports indicate that 80% to 90% of saphenous trunks remain occluded after 3 years when treated by foam sclerotherapy. Complications are seldom encountered but significant skin darkening and superficial thrombophlebitis are common. Temporary vision changes have occurred after foam and liquid sclerotherapy, with foam, these are always transient. Although the long-term efficacy of foamed sclerotherapy treatment is unlikely to be established for years, a number of phlebologists have taken up the practice because it has the advantage of not requiring general or regional anesthesia and takes much less time than equivalent surgical techniques.     

Long saphenous vein saving surgery for varicose veins. A long-term follow-up

The autologous saphenous vein is widely recognised as the graft material of choice in infra-inguinal arterial reconstructions. This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term results of long saphenous vein saving surgery compared with standard stripping. Forty-two patients with varicose veins were randomly allocated to treatment, either with standard stripping of the long saphenous vein or high ligation. In both groups, local varicosities were avulsed and insufficient perforators ligated, on the basis of physical examination and phlebography. Follow-up was performed 52 +/- 5 months postoperatively. The recurrence rate was 12 and 11% in the stripping and the high ligation group respectively. At follow-up, the venous return time was increased significantly in both groups (P greater than 0.001). Vein mapping by means of high-resolution, real-time ultrasound at follow-up showed that 78% of the preserved saphenous veins were suitable for use as arterial conduits. These results suggest that removal of the long saphenous vein per se is of no therapeutic value if insufficient perforators have been ligated. It is possible to perform elective vein surgery for varicose veins with good results and preserve the long saphenous vein, which in turn can be used for future arterial reconstruction in most cases.     

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.     

Update on endovenous radio-frequency closure ablation of varicose veins

Until recent years, the gold standard for treatment of truncal varicose veins has been high ligation and stripping of the saphenous vein. In the course of the last decade, new minimally invasive techniques based on endothermal ablation are progressively supplanting conventional surgery in the treatment of varicose veins. The endovenous treatment of varicose veins has been developed to reduce complications associated with conventional surgery and to improve quality of life. Radio frequency ablation (RFA) available since 1999 is now established as a safe and efficacious treatment for the ablation of refluxing saphenous veins. Among the emerging therapies, RFA with VNUS ClosureFAST is promising because it has eliminated almost all disadvantages associated with conventional surgery by "stripping" (bruises, scars, ecchymosis, inguinal recurrence, neovascularization, and mainly, prolonged incapacity) with an immediate occlusion rate close to 100%. When it is compared with endovenous laser ablation, RFA technology is associated with less postprocedural pain, less ecchymosis and tenderness, and better quality of life (QOL) measures. The aim of this article is to summarize the available evidence in the RFA treatment of varicose veins.     

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.     

Role of precapillary arteriovenous shunting in the pathogenesis of varicose veins and its therapeutic implications

The conventional pathogenesis of varicose veins and their subsequent development is essentially based on primary valvular insufficiency of the main saphenous trunk and incompetence of the perforating veins. In contrast, the concept of the pathogenesis of varicose veins presented in this review is based on the presence of arteriovenous (AV) shunting that occurs primarily in the venous tributaries and rarely in the main trunks of the saphenous system. Identification of arteriovenous communications (AVCs) with varicose veins has been documented by visual observation during surgery and especially by use of high-powered microscopes or magnifying lenses. The AVCs have been found consistently to originate subfascially and to terminate in tributaries extrafascially, thus bypassing the capillary network. By means of serial arteriography it was shown that in more than 80% of varicose veins there is premature venous opacification. By means of Doppler ultrasonography, it was demonstrated that AV shunting was present in 80% of the cases. A correlative study of these parameters has shown that the initial significant pathology in varicose veins is mostly confined to the tributaries, although at an advanced stage the main trunk may also be subsequently affected to a lesser degree. In terms of management, these data strongly imply that sclerotherapy or surgical treatment (ligation or excision) should be confined to the tributaries and that high saphenofemoral ligation and stripping should be avoided except in cases where evidence shows valvular involvement and incompetency of the latter. As a result, this study strongly suggests that one could most often spare the main trunk of the saphenous vein for eventual use as a vascular graft.     

保留大隐静脉膝上主干行静脉曲张手术可行性分析

目的探讨在大隐静脉曲张手术中保留膝上主干的可行性。 方法选取2013年8月至2014年10月于本院进行治疗的60例大隐静脉曲张患者,随机分为试验组和对照组,各30例。对试验组临床不同分期的大隐静脉曲张患者行保留膝上主干的剥脱术,对照组行传统大隐静脉高位结扎+剥脱术方式。随访观察两组试验对象的预后情况。 结果试验组在疼痛评分、手术时间、出血量、住院时间、血肿例数等指标上显著优于对照组（t=3.268、4.325、5.670、5.931、χ²=3.547,P<0.01）,而深静脉血栓、静脉炎、复发率、血管内皮细胞生长因子（VEGF）、白细胞介素1（IL-1）水平两组对比差异无统计学意义。保留后的大隐静脉主干除腔内血流速度较术前减慢外（t=10.87,P<0.01）,其管径、通畅度、隐股瓣膜功能、并发血栓等对比差异无统计学意义。 结论相对于传统手术方式,保留大隐静脉膝上主干手术并未增加术后并发症发生率,由于其保留了大隐静脉主干,为大隐静脉曲张手术方式的多样性提供理论依据,为保留自身血管材料防治血管疾病,行血管库储备可行性提供了数据支持。     

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy combined with sapheno-femoral ligation compared to surgical treatment of varicose veins: early results of a randomised controlled trial.

AIM: This study is a prospective randomised controlled trial comparing sapheno-femoral ligation, great saphenous stripping and multiple avulsions with sapheno-femoral ligation and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy to the saphenous vein. Primary end points were patient recovery period and quality of life and secondary end points frequency of complications on the two arms of the trial and the cost of the treatment. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Sixty patients with primary varicose veins due to GSV incompetence and suitable for day case surgery were randomly allocated to undergo ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy with sapheno-femoral ligation under local anaesthesia (n=30) or sapheno-femoral ligation, stripping and multiple avulsions under general anaesthesia (n=30). The study protocol included history, physical examination, assignment of CEAP class and assessment venous clinical severity score (VCSS), completion of the aberdeen vein questionnaire (AVQ) and colour duplex ultrasound. RESULTS: All treatments were completed as intended. Median time to return to normal activities was significantly reduced in the foam sclerotherapy group (2 days) compared to the surgical group (8 days) (p<0.001, Mann-Whitney). AVQ score was also significantly reduced at 3 months by 46% in the sclerotherapy group, and by 40% in the conventional surgery group (p<0.001, Wilcoxon). The time taken to complete treatment was shorter in the foam sclerotherapy plus SFJ ligation group: 45 vs. 85 min (p<0.001, Mann-Whitney). The overall cost of the procedure in the sclerotherapy group ( 672.97 pounds) was significantly less compared to conventional surgery ( 1120.64 pounds). At 3 weeks, there was no statistical difference in the complication rate between the two groups. At 3 months, median CEAP class dropped from four pre-operatively to one following treatment in both groups and the median VCSS score dropped from five to one in group one and from seven to three in group two (p<0.001, Wilcoxon test). In group one four patients (13%) had a recanalised vein which needed further sessions of foam sclerotherapy, resulting in a short-term closure rate of 87%. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy combined with sapheno-femoral ligation was less expensive, involved a shorter treatment time and resulted in more rapid recovery compared to sapheno-femoral ligation, saphenous stripping and phlebectomies.     

逆行静脉腔内射频闭合并点状抽剥治疗下肢静脉曲张

目的探讨逆行静脉腔内射频闭合并点状抽剥法治疗下肢静脉曲张的效果。方法本组在2005年3月-2007年5月对25例原发性大隐静脉曲张患者,共38条患肢的曲张大隐静脉采用数控射频静脉闭合系统逆行闭合大隐静脉主干并同时用点状抽剥法治疗小腿散在曲张浅静脉。结果随访1～24个月,所有患者大隐静脉主干均闭合良好,无复发,近期疗效满意。结论逆行静脉腔内射频闭合并点状抽剥法治疗下肢静脉曲张具有术式简便、创伤少、疗效可靠、康复快、住院时间短等优点。     

C5~6级大隐静脉曲张的手术治疗

目的探讨C5～6级大隐静脉曲张的解剖特点及手术治疗方法。方法对2008年8月—2010年12月经手术治疗可随访到的C5～6级下肢大隐静脉曲张69例(84条肢体)的资料进行分析,将患者分为深层血管切除组和深+浅层血管切除组,比较两组术后皮瓣坏死率,静脉炎复发率和术后症状缓解率。结果两组在性别,年龄,病程方面差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。深层血管切除组术后发生皮瓣坏死3条肢体,静脉炎复发7条肢体,术后症状完全缓解21条肢体。深+浅层血管切除组术后发生皮瓣坏死38条肢体,静脉炎复发1条肢体,术后症状完全缓解42条肢体。深+浅层血管切除组患者的皮瓣坏死率(84.44%)高于深层血管切除组皮瓣坏死率(7.69%)(P<0.01),深+浅层血管切除组患者术后静脉炎复发率(2.22%)低于深层血管切除组(17.95%)(P<0.05),深+浅层血管切除组患者的术后症状缓解率(93.33%)高于深层血管切除组(53.85%)(P<0.01),深+浅层血管切除组皮瓣坏死愈合时间明显长于深层血管切除组(P<0.01)。结论 C4级以上的大隐静脉曲张患者的浅层血管对预后和皮瓣的存活有明显影响,术中需个体化处理。     

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.