Comparison of the Operative Methods for Varicose Veins in the Lower Extremities

PURPOSE: There are several new surgical techniques for varicose vein surgery. Transilluminated Powered Phlebectomy (TIPP) and Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) are accepted as useful surgical procedures for varicose veins. However, these techniques have some associated problems such as complications, remnant varicosities and are relatively expensive. We compared some of the new techniques with conventional methods and introduce new technique called Transillumination assisted EVLT (T-EVLT). METHOD: We reviewed cases with primary varicose veins involving the lower extremity in 217 patients managed by TIPP, EVLT and T-EVLT in the department of Surgery, Presbyterian Medical Center, from January 2003 to January 2007. RESULT: The distribution of age was the fifth decade (38.4%), fourth (23.8%) and third (15.2%), in order frequency. The male to female ratio was 1:1.43. The TIPP procedure had the lowest frequency of remnant varicosities (6.0%) but the second highest complication rate (17.9%). The EVLT procedure had a relatively low complication rate (9.5%) and good cosmetic results but the longest operation time and the highest frequency of remnant varicosities (21.6%). The T-EVLT procedure had the shortest operation time and the lowest frequency of remnant varicosities (19.5%) compared to the EVLT. CONCLUSION: Each of the operation methods had risks and benefits. The EVLT procedure had good cosmetic results and was easy to learn. However, had a relatively long operation time and many remnant varicosities. These problems may be overcome by the T-EVLT.

The Use of Extension Tube in Sono-guide FNAC / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Sono-guided FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) is a safe and accurate diagnostic procedure for thyroid nodules. We examined the use of an extension tube in FNAC as useful. METHODS: We reviewed 175 cases of patients with thyroid nodules where an extension tube was used in sono-guide FNAC and 153 cases where a syringe holder was used in Jeonju Jesus hospital, from July 2005 to September 2006. RESULTS: For cases with an extension tube, tumor size was smaller than 1 cm (38%), from 1 cm to 2 cm (27%), or larger than 2 cm (35%), with cytology results of benign (73%), intermediate (8%), malignant (7%), or nondiagnostic (12%). In cases with a syringe holder, tumor size was smaller than 1 cm (40%), from 1 cm to 2 cm (40%), or larger than 2 cm (20%), with cytology results of benign (51%), intermediate (4%), malignant (3%), or nondiagnostic (42%). The nondiagnostic percentage in cases where an extension tube was used was lower than in cases using a syringe holder. However, the number of tumors larger than 2 cm was significantly larger in the syringe group than the extension tube group. CONCLUSION: The use of an extension tube or a syringe holder in FNAC produce similar results.