[Acute superficial thrombophlebitis--therapeutic strategies]. / Strategien zur Antikoagulation und Operation bei akuter Thrombophlebitis.

UNLABELLED: Thrombophlebitis (TP) of the superficial venous system is associated to a high percentage with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). References in literature vary between 5 and 65 %, pulmonary embolisms (LE) were described in up to 33 %. PATIENTS: In a retrospective study, 114 patients who had presented themselves with a TP of the superficial venous system between January 1 (st) and December 31 (st) 2004, were analysed in our institution. 50 % (n = 57) exhibited a TP in side branches of the superficial venous system. 19.3 % (n = 22) showed a TP of the great saphenous vein (GSV) of the calf or of the small saphenous vein (SSV) distally, in 28.1 % (n = 32) the GSV or SSV were affected at the thigh or proximally or in total length, 3 patients (2.6 %) exhibited a TP of the arm vein. 11 patients (9.6 %) showed a concomitant DVT. The frequency of DVT depended on the localisation and extension of the TP, and also on additional basic and acute risks for DVT. The incidence of a concomitant DVT was 5.2 % when side branches were affected and amounted to 15.6 % with TP in the area of the GSV or SSV. With varicosis as single risk factor, the frequency of a concomitant DVT was 6 %, varicosis combined with further risks showed a DVT frequency of 15.4 %. RESULTS: All patients were treated with low molecular weight heparin either with prophylactic or therapeutic dosage, depending on localisation, extension and concomitant diseases. 10.5 % of the patients (n = 12) had to undergo urgent surgery with ligation of the sapheno-femoral junction or popliteal junction, if the TP had reached the junction into the deep venous system. By this therapy, we had not to observe any additional DVT. In 9 cases, an extension, respectively a recurrence of the TP could be observed. In each of these cases the dosage of the LMWH had not been adapted to the concomitant risks or had been terminated too early. DISCUSSION: TP of the superficial venous system should be considered and treated as DVT. Consequent anticoagulation is needed, surgery should be performed when the TP reaches the junction into the deep venous system. The duration of the anticoagulation is not quite clear, but is carried out in our institution for three months with therapeutic intention.

[Results of standard varicose vein surgery]. / Ergebnisse nach klassischer Varizenchirurgie.

The principles of modern varicose vein surgery are based on the interruption of the cranial and distal points of venous insufficiency. Especially due to the rise of alternate surgery procedures, we have scrutinized our results of varicose vein surgery. In a retrospective analysis, the results of those patients (pat.) who underwent venous surgery in our institution in 1995 were analysed. In 1995 we performed 1 575 varicose vein operations (n = 1 019 pat., 16.8 % male, 83.2 % female). 63.5 % were on an outpatient basis. During a follow-up period of 4 to 66 months (av. 38 months) the patients were re-examined, 481 (47.2 %) by Duplex sonography, 94 (9.2 %) by clinical examination alone, from 103 (10.1 %) information was obtained through a written inquiry. 341 pat. (33.5 %) had just perioperative follow-ups. We didn't find any signs of varicosis in 301 pat. (33.3 %). Minor side branches could be detected in 515 pat. (56.8 %). In 90 pat. (9.9 %) a clearly visible varicosis could be seen. Based on the results of the Duplex examinations, 86 % of the pat. showed no recurrence after ligation of the sapheno-femoral junction and stripping of the LSV, the results after stripping of the short saphenous vein were similar. Analysis of the inquiry forms concluded that 62.3 % of the pat. were satisfied with surgery and the results. The results of the standard varicose vein surgery are satisfactory regarding recurrence rate and patient satisfaction. Our results are comparable to those published in prospective randomised studies. Alternate procedures, for example the CHIVA method, have still to proof their efficiency, especially in view of long-term results.

[Indications and technique for sclerotherapy of varicose veins]. / Indikation und Technik zur Sklerotherapie bei Varikose.

Sclerotherapy is in general a very safe method for the treatment of teleangiectasias and reticular varicose veins done by an experienced therapist. The complication-rate is very low, with the use of Polidocanol the rate of skin-necrosis ranges between 0.001 and 0.2%, the incidence of superficial thrombophlebitis is 0.08%, the incidence of an allergic reaction is reported with 0.2%. The sclerotherapy of large perforating veins and the long or short saphenous veins is controversially discussed. The results of prospective randomized studies show better results with operative treatment in comparison to sclerotherapy. The recurrence-rate of sclerotherapy of the long saphenous vein varies between 22 and 37% after 3 years, between 40 and 70% after 5 years and 94% after 10 years. Before starting the sclerotherapy the extension of the varicose vein disease should be diagnosed correctly. The diagnosis can be obtained with duplex-ultrasound, that gives either functional and morphologic information about the deep and superficial venous system.