Comparative evaluation of the results of surgical treatment of acute ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein using the endovascular high-frequency welding technique and traditional technique.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of surgical treatment of acute ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein using the endovascular high-frequency welding technique and traditional phlebectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Two groups were formed in the conducted study. Group I included patients (n=42) with the acute ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein, in whom their thrombosed great saphenous vein was removed using the endovascular high-frequency welding technique. As a source of current, an EK300M1 Svarmed electric welding machine (Ukraine) was used. Electric welding of a thrombosed vein segment was carried out using the endovenous electric welding catheter. Group II included patients (n=31) with the acute ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein, who underwent the traditional phlebectomy of the thrombosed great saphenous vein according to Babcock's technique. RESULTS: Results: In group I no patient revealed presence of pain syndrome with significant intensity during the postoperative period. An infiltrate along the coagulated segments ofnthe great saphenous vein, postoperative oedema and paresthesiae were observed in considerably fewer cases from group I versus group II (р=0.0005, р=0.0001, р=0.0018). During their follow-up for more than 12 months, 2 (4.76 %) of 42 patients from group I revealed partial recanalization of the great saphenous vein (р=0.632). In group I the postoperative inpatient period was 1.3±0.1 days. In group II the above period averaged 4.8±0.8 days (p<0.001). Absence of an intense pain syndrome in group I was caused by a gentle effect of high-frequency electric current itself on the venous wall and paravasal structures. A significant reduction of side effects and complications with a shorter stay of patients in hospital versus the traditional phlebectomy was achieved owing to reduction in the extent of injury of the surgical operation itself with the use of endovascular high-frequency welding. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The technique of endovascular high-frequency welding in treatment of acute ascending thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein makes it possible to reduce the extent of injury of the surgical operation versus the traditional phlebectomy, results in a significant decrease in the number of side effects and complications and shortens the period of the patient's stay in hospital.

Effective use of various minimally invasive technologies eliminating vertical reflux in the treatment of chronic diseases of the lower limb veins.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To analyze and evaluate the efficacy of CDLLV treatment, using high-frequency endovascular welding (EVW), endovenous laser coagulation (EVLC) and catheter microfoam echosclerotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: We have treated 329 patients with CDLLV C2-C6 functional classes according to the Clinical Etiological Anatomical Pathophysiology. Of these, 102 patients had vertical reflux eliminated by EVW, in 112 - by EVLC, and in 115 - by catheter microfoam echosclerotherapy. RESULTS: Results: In the EVW group 3 patients (2.94%) had a partial recanalization of coagulated veins 3 months after the procedure. In EVLC group 2 patients (1.79%) also had partial recanalization group after 6 months. In the group of catheter microfoam echosclerotherapy partial recanalization occurred in 3 patients during 3 months of observation, in the period of 6 months - in 2, in the period of 12 months - in 9, in total - in 14 patients (12.17%). The EVW and EVLC methods showed high efficacy of vertical reflux elimination on the great and small subcutaneous veins (GSV/SSV) in CDLLV and have no fundamental differences in the immediate and long-term results of treatment. Microfoam catheter echosclerotherapy leads to a greater number of recanalisations, compared with EVW and EVLC. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: High-frequency endovenous welding results in complete fibrotic GSV/SSV transformation in 97.06% of patients. Endovascular laser coagulation results in complete fibrotic GSV/SSV transformation in 98.21% of patients. Elimination of vertical reflux by microfoam echosclerotherapy results in complete fibrotic GSV/SSV transformation in 87.83% of patients.

Development of obliteration in the great saphenous vein after influence of high-frequency endovenous welding by data of morphological and ultrasonic studies

Introduction: Acute ascending thrombophlebitis (AAT) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is one of the problems in modern surgery. The aim: Study of morphological and ultrasonic changes in a thrombosed vein following the influence of high-frequency endovenous electrical welding and assessment of the efficacy of application of this method to treatment of acute ascending thrombophlebitis. Material and methods: During the period of 2016-2018, surgery departments of Kyiv City Hospital No. 8 provided surgical treatment for 52 male and female patients with AAT of the GSV, who underwent high-frequency endovenous electrical welding (EVEW) with help of an EK300M Svarmed apparatus. The patients' age ranged from 19 to 78 years (their mean age was 51±2.63 years). According to the international CEAP (сlinical-etiological-anatomical-pathophysiological) classification, C2 was revealed in 4 cases, C3 in 19, C4 in 13, C5 in 9 and C6 in 7. Sections, prepared in compliance with standard methods, were morphologically examined. Photo archiving was made with use of a ZEISS light optical microscope (Germany) and «Axio Imager. A2¼ data processing system. Duplex ultrasonography (DUS) was performed with help of a TOSHIBA Nemio XG (Japan) device, equipped with a convex transducer having the working frequency of 3.5-5 MC and a linear transducer at a range of 7.5-12 MC. Ultrasonic studies were carried out 2-7 days after the operation. Remote results were assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: Morphological examinations of vein preparations after EVEW with standard haematoxylin-eosin staining revealed homogenization of thrombotic masses in the venous lumen and a close relationship of the veins with the treated vascular wall; in the majority of examined cases, thrombotic masses totally obliterated the venous lumen. All the layers of the venous wall ­ internal, middle and external ­ coalesced into a single homogenous complex. Specific staining on elastic fibers revealed their total destruction in the internal and middle coats, thinning and fragmentation of elastic fibers in the adventitia. Total occlusion of the GSV was observed sonographically in 49 of 52 cases (94.24%) on days 2-7 after the influence of EVEW. Within 3-6 months, 3 cases (5.76%) developed some partial recanalization. During 9-12 months, colour mapping revealed preservation of some partial and haemodynamically insignificant recanalization in 2 cases (3.84%). One case (1.92%) developed the complete and haemodynamically significant recanalization of the whole welded segment of GSV. Conclusions: Analysis of ultrasonic studies showed that despite the total destruction of the whole venous wall during the first days after the influence of EVEW there were areas of parietal blood flow in 5.76% of cases. During a remote period of follow-up from 3 to 6 months the above changes could develop partial and haemodynamically insignificant recanalization in 3.84% of cases. Within the period of follow-up from 9 to 12 months those areas of blood flow could lead to the complete and haemodynamically significant recanalization of the welded GSV in 1.92% of cases. High-frequency EVEW of the thrombosed GSV in AAT caused the total destruction of thrombotic masses and all layers of the venous wall and made it possible to achieve the total obliteration of the welded vein in 94.24 % of cases.