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.     

Foam sclerotherapy combined with surgical treatment for recurrent varicose veins: short term results.

OBJECTIVE: To study the short term results of combined peroperative foam sclerotherapy (PFS) and surgical treatment for recurrent varicose veins. METHODS: PFS was used to treat 129 limbs with recurrent varices: 100 great saphenous (GSV), 29 small saphenous veins (SSV). Foam was prepared with 1% polidocanol mixed with 4 times its volume of air. The 100 GSVs comprised 28 trunks directly connected with the femoral vein, 28 connected to a lymph node venous network, 11 associated with perforators and 33 isolated trunks. The 29 SSVs comprised 4 trunks directly connected to the popliteal vein, 7 isolated trunks, 15 popliteal perforators and 3 recanalisations after SSV stripping. All operations included phlebectomies. In twenty limbs re-ligation of the SFJ and 4 SPJs was carried out. All were performed under local anaesthesia in an ambulatory setting. Patients were assessed clinically and by colour duplex ultrasound after 3 and 40 days follow-up. RESULTS: 120 patients (93%) showed complete obliteration of saphenous trunks, junctions and varices. The 9 incomplete obliterations were 3 venous recanalisations in the SSV compartment and 6 perforators (4 popliteal and 2 femoral). Two asymptomatic deep venous thromboses were detected by colour duplex 3 days after operation. CONCLUSION: PFS facilitates surgical treatment of recurrent varicose veins. There is a small risk of post-operative deep vein thrombosis.     

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.     

泡沫硬化剂注射术与大隐静脉剥脱术的近期疗效对照研究

目的 评价泡沫硬化剂注射术联合高位结扎术治疗下肢大隐静脉曲张的近期临床效果.方法 55例(55条肢体)下肢大隐静脉曲张患者随机分为两组:传统大隐静脉剥脱术组(A组,23例);大隐静脉高位结扎联合泡沫硬化剂注射术组(B组,32例),比较两组手术前后CEAP分级及静脉临床严重程度评分(VCSS)的变化.结果 A、B两组手术...     

Recovery after ultrasound‐guided foam sclerotherapy compared with conventional surgery for varicose veins

Background:

The advantages of minimally invasive alternatives such as ultrasound‐guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) over conventional surgery for the treatment of varicose veins include lower morbidity and faster recovery times. The aim was to compare morbidity, analgesia use, and time to return to driving and work following UGFS with those reported after conventional surgery for varicose veins.

Methods:

Patients who had UGFS or surgery for varicose veins were sent a questionnaire 4 weeks after treatment.

Results:

A total of 332 (84·9 per cent) of 391 patients who had UGFS and 53 (56 per cent) of 94 who had surgery returned a questionnaire. The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and the proportion who had treatment of bilateral or recurrent veins. Patients who had surgery were more likely to have significant bruising (44 versus 7·2 per cent; P < 0·001) and pain (17 versus 5·5 per cent; P = 0·001). After UGFS, 43·2 per cent of patients returned to work within 24 h compared with none who had surgery (P < 0·001). Patients who had UGFS were more likely to return to driving within 4 days (P = 0·014).

Conclusion:

UGFS was associated with less pain and analgesia requirement, time off work and quicker return to driving. Copyright © 2009 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Can interposition of a silicone implant after sapheno-femoral ligation prevent recurrent varicose veins?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether a silicone implant at the sapheno-femoral ligation site could prevent recurrent varicosities.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two non-randomised groups of patients were studied prospectively. In group A 173 patients and 212 limbs had sapheno-femoral ligation, while 172 patients and 210 limbs additionally had a piece (2x3cm) of silicone sheet sutured to the saphenous stump to cover the anterior half of the common femoral vein. The implant was fixed in apposition to the deep vein by carefully closing the cribriform fascia. Colour duplex scanning was performed after 2 and 12 months. RESULTS: In the no implant group neovascularisation was observed in 35 (17%) after 12 months, but only in 13 (6%) limbs treated with a silicone implant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Interposition of a partition of silicone implant seems to lower the incidence of neovascularisation one year after saphenofemoral ligation. This technique may constitute an efficient method to prevent recurrence at the correctly ligated saphenous stump.     

Treatment of varicose veins: proximal saphenofemoral ligation comparing adjunctive varicose phlebectomy with sclerotherapy at a military medical center.

There is no consensus as to the single best approach to the treatment of varicose veins. There has been a trend toward less invasive procedures to reduce the number of incisions and provide more selective ablation of varicosities. Ultimately, therapeutic decisions have depended on surgeon preference and the patient population. The active duty military population presents a unique challenge in the treatment of varicose veins. This mobile and active population requires a treatment method that provides maximum relief with the lowest possible morbidity and rapid recovery. The authors previously reported their experience with 104 patients who underwent saphenofemoral ligation combined with perforator point ligation and staged sclerotherapy. This group was compared to 103 patients who underwent saphenofemoral ligation, point perforator ligation, and stab avulsion phlebectomy as a single procedure. Follow-up for the sclerotherapy group included patient satisfaction surveys and documentation of recurrent varicosities. All ambulatory phlebectomy patients responded positively with respect to symptomatic and cosmetic results. Overall satisfaction was favorable and there was no significant difference in patient satisfaction between the ambulatory phlebectomy and sclerotherapy groups. Twelve per cent of the sclerotherapy patients developed true recurrences or new varicosities compared to 11% in the ambulatory phlebectomy group. The most common complication was superficial thrombophlebitis (20% ambulatory phlebectomy, 16% sclerotherapy) which was mild in all cases. All but three patients in the ambulatory phlebectomy group returned to work within 7 days and 75% returned to full duty within 72 hours. Completion of therapy was accomplished in a much shorter period for the ambulatory phlebectomy group. Overall patient satisfaction was achieved for both ambulatory phlebectomy and sclerotherapy patients. Completion of therapy was achieved in a shorter period with fewer clinic visits in the ambulatory phlebectomy group and this has become our procedure of choice for active duty military patients.     

Percutaneous-supracutaneous ligation of the veins in the complex surgical treatment of varicose veins

The proposed method of percutaneous-supracutaneous ligation in combination with the method of Troyanov--Trendelenburg--Bebkock was used in operation on 233 patients. Long-term results were studied in 125 patients. Excellent results were obtained in 98 patients, good results-in 27 patients.     

A 1470-nm laser combined with foam sclerotherapy in day surgery: a better choice for lower limb varicose veins

Day surgery is being more and more adopted by clinicians. Higher wavelength lasers give patients better experience than lower wavelength lasers, which makes it more suitable for day surgery. This study compares the short- and mid-term efficacy, postoperative morbidity, and patient satisfaction of “1470-nm endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) combining foam sclerotherapy in day surgery” with “810-nm EVLA with high ligation combining foam sclerotherapy in hospital surgery” on great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency postoperatively. A single-institution historical cohort study of 194 patients was performed in Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, China. Ninety-seven patients received 1470-nm EVLA combining foam sclerotherapy in day surgery (“1470-nm group”), and 97 patients received 810-nm EVLA with high ligation combining foam sclerotherapy in hospital surgery recommended by guidelines (“810-nm group”). No significant difference was found between the 1470-nm group and the 810-nm group in terms of GSV occlusion rate (both 100%), complication rate, and recurrence rate (8.2 vs. 11.3%) during the period of 1–12 months after surgery. Serious complications in the 1470-nm group and 810-nm group were 0 and 1.0%. Minor complications in the 1470-nm group and 810-nm group were ecchymosis at 20.6 and 18.6%, edema at 69.1 and 63.9%, and paresthesia around ankle at 0 and 3.1%, respectively. Advantage of the 1470-nm group over the 810-nm group was statistically significant considering the patient perioperative comfort and economic cost. Treatment of 1470-nm EVLA combining foam sclerotherapy in day surgery has similar efficacy as the 810-nm EVLA with high ligation combining foam sclerotherapy in hospital surgery in GSV insufficiency and is more comfortable with less incision, hospitalization procedure, and medical costs. It may be a new option for patients who are afraid or unable to be hospitalized.     

Randomized controlled trial of early discharge for inguinal hernia and varicose veins.

A randomized controlled trial has been conducted into the effects of discharging patients from hospital either at 48 h or 6-7 days after operation for inguinal hernia or varicose veins. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of major postoperative complications between the two lengths of stay for either of the conditions studied. Similarly there was no difference between the two groups of hernia patients in relation to eventual recurrences.     

泡沫硬化剂注射联合TriVex系统治疗下肢静脉曲张的临床分析

目的探讨分析泡沫硬化剂注射联合TriVex系统治疗下肢静脉曲张的手术方法、技巧及疗效。方法纳入2014年10月至2016年4月在中山大学附属东华医院血管外科就诊的152例下肢静脉曲张患者,应用泡沫硬化剂注射联合TriVex系统进行治疗,评估治疗术后症状缓解,局部术区情况以及并发症发生率。结果对152例220条患肢采用大隐静脉主干高位结扎抽剥后泡沫硬化剂注射联合TriVex系统透光旋切术治疗静脉曲张患者,术后下肢明显的曲张畸形静脉消失,无一例患者出现复发,下肢酸胀、乏力等临床症状缓解,溃疡创面愈合。并发症主要是隐神经损伤、皮下硬结、血肿形成、软组织感染、深静脉血栓。结论大隐静脉高位结扎抽剥后泡沫硬化剂注射联合TriVex系统透光旋切术治疗下肢静脉曲张疗效显著,具有切口小、并发症少、复发率低等优点。     

A random controlled trial of two forms of compression bandaging in outpatient sclerotherapy of varicose veins

Patients having their varicose veins injected normally wear compression bandages for a period of up to 6 weeks, and various authors have stressed the success in injection therapy is closely related to this. On the basis of previous work (T. B. Raj, G. S., Makin, and M. Goddard, Brit. J. Surg. 67, 122 (1980)) showing that the pressure tends to fall significantly with time and at 8–10 hr it is nearly zero, a random trial on the use of compression bandages in sclerotherapy was carried out. Patients (112) were divided into two groups and were allocated to wear bandages for either 6 weeks or 8 hr. At 6 weeks, the result of the treatment was assessed by the injecting surgeon, the patient, and an independent surgeon who was unaware of the type of treatment. The results show that: (i)at 6 weeks there was no significant difference in the result between the two groups; (ii)there was 71% agreement between the injecting surgeon and the independent surgeon; (iii)there was only 42% agreement between the patient and the injecting surgeon, and 48% between the patient and independent assessor; (iv)the correlation between patient's symptomatic improvement with cosmetic improvement was only 53%.