Endoscope-assisted management of varicose veins in the posterior thigh, popliteal fossa, and calf area.

Varicose veins of the posterior thigh, popliteal fossa, and calf area were managed with the assistance of endoscopic surgery in 136 patients. Patients were divided into four types according to the normal veins involved in varicosities. With good illumination and magnified monitor viewing by means of a surgical endoscope, the main channel, tributaries of varicosities, incompetent perforating veins, and healthy veins could be clearly visualized and identified. Even though these varicosities had aberrant and tortuous courses, they could be completely dissected, divided, and then removed through one or more access incisions (2.5-3.0 cm in length). The incompetent perforating veins were also dissected and divided. The mean number of access incisions for each lower extremity was 2.2, 1.9, 1.3, and 1.0 for types I, II, III, and IV respectively. In all cases, the mean number of incisions was 1.6 in each lower limb. The most frequent morbidity was maceration of the access incision. Three wounds in 3 patients required debridement and resuturing, but the other wounds healed satisfactorily. Transient discoloration caused by bruising and numbness may present at the dissected area. There was no hematoma formation. Ischemic change with bleb formation of the dissected skin occurred in 1 patient. Subsequent secondary healing resulted in slight scarring in this area. With the assistance of endoscopic surgery, all the varicosities and the incompetent perforating veins could be completely dissected and removed. Accomplishment of removal of varicosities was double-checked between the preoperative skin marks of varicosities and the endoscopic findings. There is very little possibility for recurrence, because there were no residual varicosities or incompetent perforating veins after this operation. There was no recurrence in follow-up at least 2 months postoperatively. Patients were satisfied with the minimal surgical scarring and the complete absence of disfiguring varicosities.