Early Results of Transilluminated Powered Phlebectomy for Primary Varicose Vein of the Lower Limbs

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection and ablation of superficial varicose vein using a powered vein resector and irrigated illuminator. METHODS: Forty-three limbs in 29 patients were involved in our hospital study. The clinical records between August 2002 and February 2004 were reviewed. All patients were treated with a minimally invasive, powered vein resecting device, using cutaneous transillumination and tumescent fluid under general or spinal anesthesia. RESULTS: The 29 varicose vein patients were composed, (19 men (65.5%) and 10 women (34.5%), with a mean age of 56.9 years. The most common symptom or sign of varicose vein was an unsightly vein (15 patients, 51.7%). Fifteen unilateral (5: right, 10: left) and 14 bilateral operation for varicose veins were performed. The mean operative time, number of skin incisions and length of hospital stay were 34.2 minutes, (ranging from 26 to 58, 3.2 sites, (ranging form 2 to 6) and 3.3 days, (ranging from 2 to 6). Postoperative complications occurred in 12 limbs (27.9%), including skin perforation (1 limb, 2.3%), wound abscess (1 limb, 2.3%), cellulitis (1 limb, 2.3%), lower limb pain (4 limbs, 9.3%), edema (2 limbs, 4.7%), hematoma (1 limb, 2.3%), remaining varicose vein (1 limb, 2.3%) and paresthesia (1 limb, 2.3%). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the TIPP (TriVexTM) technique for varicose vein removal was swift and efficacious. When performed by trained surgeons the complication rates of the technique were comparable with those of conventional surgery, with the advantages of a trend toward reduced operating times in extensive varicose vein, and significantly fewer incisions.

Comparison Transilluminated Powered Phlebectomy with the Conventional Surgical Treatment of Primary Varicose Vein of the Lower Limbs

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare Transilluminated Powered Phlebectomy (TIPP) with conventional surgical treatment (high ligation of the greater saphenous vein and above knee stripping with varicosectomy). METHODS: 428 cases of varicose veins, managed surgically at our hospital, were reviewed. A retrospective review of clinical records, between November 2000 an March 2003, was performed. The patients were divided into one of two groups: TIPP or a conventional operation. All the patients had at least a C2 CEAP disease. RESULTS: The demographics, hospital stays and operating times for the two groups were similar. However, a TIPP was associated with significantly fewer incisions (4.4+/-1.5 vs 8.2+/-3.9; P<0.001) and recurrence (n=14, 6% vs n=24, 12%; P=0.003). The incidence of a postoperative hematoma developing was more common with TIPP (n=20, 9% vs n=1, 0.5%; P=0.023). The problem of a hematoma formation in TIPP was solved by the insertion of a small closed suction drain. Skin perforation and wrinkling, and dermatosclerosis, were only complicated in the TIPP. The mean pain scores (out of 10) for the TIPP and conventional operation groups, at 2 and 7 days and 4 weeks, were 4.8, 1.4 and zero, and 4.8, 2.8 and zero, respectively. The cosmetic satisfaction score was higher in the TIPP group (8.7 vs 5.7; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: With respect to pain, cosmetic satisfaction and residual varicose, the outcomes in the TIPP group were significantly better than those in the conventional operation group.

The Role of Duplex Scan to Surgeon in Treatment of Primary Varicose Vein

PURPOSE: Anatomy and morphology of superficial veins vary from patient to patient. Thorough assessment of variations is mandatory for successful treatment of primary varicose vein. Alos in complex case clinical examination alone is unable to achieve diagnostic goals. Duplex scan is a highly accurate, noninvasive technique that can provide both anatomic and physiologic information. METHODS: Thirty-eight legs in 30 patients with primary varicose veins were examined clinically first then with portable doppler. Patients then underwent duplex scanning by surgical team and results of tests were compared with other clinical examinations. RESULTS: On duplex scanning, 25 legs (66%) had saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) incompetence, 9 legs (24%) had saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) incompetence and 4 legs (10%) had perforator incompetence. The respective sensitivity of clinical examination with portable doppler in SFJ, SPJ was 91.6%, 81.8%. CONCLUSION: Clinical and doppler assessment was unreliable. Routine preoperative duplex scanning is likely to reduce recurrence by identifying sites of reflux with greater accuracy.

Varicose Veins that Well Treated by Sclerosing Agents in Lower Extremity

In the early period (B'C) the definition of the primary varicose vein in lower extremity was dilate, tortuous and elongated vein. It has been known that the varicose vein in lower extremity is more involved in western people than orintal. However nowadays this disease is also well involved in oriental because of incresed economic level and well equipped culture. BACKGROUNDS: We has been tried the clinical reserch because of good result & possibility of therapy by only sclerotheray in well defined selected indication of primary varicose vein. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed primary varicose vein involved in lower extremity of 23cases that was well treated by sclerosing agents to Dept of Surg, Kangbuk Samsung Hosp, SungKyunKwan University College of Medicine, From January 1996 To December 1997. RESULTS: 1. The distribution of the age were the first in 5th decade (39.1%), followed by 6th decade, 4th decade. The ratio of sex were more prevalent in female than male (6.7:1). The median age was 47.3 years-old. 2. Sx & sign were showed cosmetic problem (82.6%) in most patients, followed by heaviness (47.8%), numbness (39.1%), pain (21.7%). 3. The duration of illness were over 10years in 17cases (73.9%). 4. The size of varicose vein were type II in 16case (69.6%), follwed by type I (21.7%), type III (8.7%) according to the classification by Dr. Weiss. 5. The frequency of injection were 1st injection in 12cases (52.2%), 2nd-4th injection (26.1%), over 5th injection (21.7%). 6. Post injection complication were pigmentation in 1case and thrombosis in 1case. 7. The predisposing factors were corelated with pregnancy in most patients, others were long standing position, familiar tendency, trauma. CONCLUSION: Double therapy (operation and sclerotherapy) has been tried in primary varicose vein, however if we are well select indication of therpy, sclerotherapy is also choice of treatment in the primary varicose vein.