Long-term outcome of open surgery in CVI patients concerning postoperative complications, perioperative hemodynamics and clinical efficacy, Part II1.

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is extremely common worldwide with prevalence increasing with age. It is associated with a reduced quality of life, particularly in relation to pain, physical function and mobility. Symptomatic chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) with venous ulcer at its' endpoint, indicates interventional surgery to cure venous reflux therewith promoting wound healing and preventing recurrence. In this retrospective, single-centre, consecutive case-control study in a single patient population of a university clinic in northern Germany a holistic evaluation of varicose vein surgeries has been undertaken. Part I covered postoperative complications in relation to co-morbidities, co-medication and clinical presentation. Part II of this article presents now the hemodynamic results in relation to the perioperative evolution of CVI specific symptoms. METHODS: Records of n = 429 (467 extremities) patients from 2009-2013 treated with open surgery were analysed with regards to perioperative hemodynamics. Evolution of CVI symptomology was accessed postoperatively with the help of a questionnaire and patient records in the case of complication development. Venous hemodynamics was analysed in the whole patient population and with regards to complication subgroups: no events (NE), neglectable adverse events (NAE) and non-neglectable adverse events (NNAE). RESULTS: Postoperatively, patients' CVI-symptoms like pain (p < 0.001), swelling (p < 0.001) and itching (p = 0.003) significantly improved. The venous refill time and venous pump capacity improved significantly after open vein surgery (p < 0.05). Regardless of the development of postoperative complications there was a significant improvement of venous function at 6 weeks- and one-year postoperative in follow-up (p < 0.05). Symptom regression was strongly correlated with hemodynamic improvement. CONCLUSION: A significant improvement of patients' symptoms was achieved by means of open-surgery, regardless of postoperative complication development. This was in accordance with the improvement of venous hemodynamics. A strong correlation between symptom regression and improvement in venous hemodynamics could be proven.