A two-cohort feasibility study on polyglycolic acid yarn implantation for abolition of saphenous vein reflux.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a polyglycolic acid (PGA) yarn implant for nonthermal ablation of saphenous vein reflux. METHODS: In two consecutive cohort studies (TAHOE I and TAHOE II), the feasibility of abolition of great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux by implantation of a PGA yarn was tested under ultrasound guidance in 51 and 30 patients, respectively. The use of tumescent local anesthesia was not required. Graduated compression stockings and thrombosis prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin were used for 2 weeks after intervention in the first study only. RESULTS: Of 81 enrolled patients, 77 (95%) were available at 6-month follow-up. Complete occlusion of the treated GSV was confirmed by duplex ultrasound in all patients except one patient at day 1. In TAHOE II, closure was preserved in a higher percentage of patients at 6 weeks, with 96.4% vs 82.0% in TAHOE I. The 6-month Kaplan-Meier estimated occlusion rates for TAHOE I and TAHOE II were 68% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54%-79%) and 69% (95% CI, 49%-82%), respectively, with an estimated combined occlusion rate of 69% (95% CI, 57%-76%). Kaplan-Meier analysis yielded a combined reflux-free rate of 85% (95% CI, 75%-91%) at 3 months of follow-up and a rate of 81% (95% CI, 71%-88%) at 6 months of follow-up. Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) improved from a combined mean of 4.6 ± 3.1 at baseline to 2.1 ± 2.2 and 1.6 ± 1.9 at 3 and 6 months, respectively (P < .0001 for 3- and 6-month results). In TAHOE II, four patients with venous ulcers healed at an average of 1.3 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: First-in-human use of an endovenous PGA yarn implant for occlusion of refluxing GSVs proved to be feasible, with no serious adverse events. However, recanalization was observed during a period of 6 months in 31% of patients.

[Finally Daily Routine: Endovenous Outpatient Treatment of Varicose Veins]. / In der Alltagsroutine angekommen: Die endovenöse, ambulante Therapie der Varikose.

Finally Daily Routine: Endovenous Outpatient Treatment of Varicose Veins Abstract. During the last 20 years endovenous treatment options have replaced surgery of varicose veins in many countries or stand for an equally effective alternative treatment option. Endothermal ablation of refluxing saphenous veins by Laser or radiofrequency means outpatient treatment under local anesthesia and immediate return to routine daily activity. Prospectively randomized trials with follow-up intervals of 5 years show equal efficacy and a similar side effect profile of endothermal saphenous vein ablation compared to surgery, therefore, various guidelines of international scientific societies either recommend endothermal treatments over surgery or at least as an equally ranked treatment alternative. Currently, non-thermal-non tumescent treatment options like cyanoacrylate glue or mechanochemical ablation open a new chapter for the treatment of refluxing saphenous veins. Early results are promising, however, prospectively randomized trails comparing established treatment options are currently rare.

Thirty-sixth-month follow-up of first-in-human use of cyanoacrylate adhesive for treatment of saphenous vein incompetence.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of endovenous cyanoacrylate (CA)-based closure of incompetent great saphenous veins. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-arm, single-center feasibility study conducted at the Canela Clinic (La Romana, Dominican Republic) to assess the effectiveness and safety of a CA-based adhesive for great saphenous vein closure at 36 months after treatment. Thirty-eight subjects were treated by injection of small boluses of CA under ultrasound guidance and without the use of perivenous tumescent anesthesia or postprocedure graduated compression stockings. Periodic scheduled follow-up was performed during 36 months. RESULTS: At month 36, there were 29 subjects who were available for follow-up. Complete occlusion of the treated veins was confirmed by duplex ultrasound in all subjects with the exception of two subjects showing recanalization at month 1 and month 3. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed an occlusion rate at month 36 of 94.7% (95% confidence interval, 87.9%-100%). The mean Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) improved from 6.1 ± 2.7 at baseline to 2.2 ± 0.4 at month 36 (P < .0001). Pain, edema, and varicosities (VCSS subdomains) improved in 75.9%, 62.1%, and 41.4% of subjects, respectively, at month 36. Overall adverse events were mild or moderate and self-limited. CONCLUSIONS: CA adhesive appears to be an effective and safe treatment for saphenous vein closure, with long-term occlusion rates comparable to those of other thermal and nonthermal methods and with no reported serious adverse events.

A longitudinal single-center cohort study on the prevalence and risk of accessory saphenous vein reflux after radiofrequency segmental thermal ablation of great saphenous veins.

OBJECTIVE: Endothermal ablation has become a commonly used technology for occlusion of refluxing great saphenous veins (GSVs). However, the risk for primarily untreated accessory saphenous veins (ASVs) to develop reflux during follow-up has not yet been defined. Here, the prevalence and risk of ASV reflux is explored. METHODS: During a prospective multicenter cohort study on radiofrequency segmental thermal ablation of refluxing GSVs, the presence and reflux status of ASVs were monitored in 93 legs in a single center. Control examinations were performed after 1 week and at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months. Life-table and multiple regression analyses were used to describe frequency and risk factors for presence of reflux in untreated ASVs. RESULTS: Of 93 legs, 82 (88%) were available for 4-year follow-up. At baseline, 43 legs (46%) had an anterior ASV detectable by duplex ultrasound, with only two legs (2%) presenting with reflux. During 4 years of follow-up, according to life-table analysis, the proportion of legs with a detectable anterior ASV increased to 71% (n = 65); 32% of all legs and 55% of legs with a detectable anterior ASV exhibited refluxing anterior ASVs. Remarkably, in 35% of all legs with an anterior ASV, this reflux presented as a source of axial reflux, suggesting hemodynamic relevance. Posterior ASVs were detected in only 10 legs during 4-year follow-up, exhibiting reflux in only two cases. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas posterior ASVs were meaningless, refluxing anterior ASVs occurred in a significant proportion of legs after thermal ablation of GSVs. Whether nonrefluxing anterior ASVs should be treated at the time of GSV ablation needs further examination.

Two-year follow-up of first human use of cyanoacrylate adhesive for treatment of saphenous vein incompetence.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endovenous cyanoacrylate-based embolization of incompetent great saphenous veins. METHODS: Incompetent great saphenous veins in 38 patients were embolized by cyanoacrylate bolus injections under ultrasound guidance without the use of perivenous tumescent anesthesia or graduated compression stockings. Follow-up was performed over a period of 24 months. RESULT: Of 38 enrolled patients, 36 were available at 12 months and 24 were available at 24 months follow-up. Complete occlusion of the treated great saphenous vein was confirmed by duplex ultrasound in all patients except for one complete and two partial recanalizations observed at, 1, 3 and 6 months of follow-up, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis yielded an occlusion rate of 92.0% (95% CI 0.836-1.0) at 24 months follow-up. Venous Clinical Severity Score improved in all patients from a mean of 6.1 ± 2.7 at baseline to 1.3 ± 1.1, 1.5 ± 1.4 and 2.7 ± 2.5 at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively (p < .0001). Edema improved in 89% of legs (n = 34) at 48 hours follow-up. At baseline, only 13% were free from pain. At 6, 12 and 24 months, 84%, 78% and 64% were free from leg pain, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The first human use of endovenous cyanoacrylate for closure of insufficient great saphenous veins proved to be feasible, safe and effective. Clinical efficacy was maintained over a period of 24 months.

Quantitative evaluation of the onset and longevity of the action of incobotulinumtoxinA by skin displacement analysis in the treatment of glabellar frown lines.

BACKGROUND: A quantitative numerical method for assessing the extent and duration of the inhibitory action of botulinum neurotoxin type A on mimetic muscles would potentially enable more detailed evaluation of the overall efficacy of this aesthetic treatment. AIM: To evaluate skin displacement analysis (SDA) as a tool for assessment of the extent and duration of effect of incobotulinumtoxinA on mimetic muscles in the glabellar region in routine daily practice. METHODS: A total dose of 30 U incobotulinumtoxinA was injected into the fronto-glabellar region of 16 subjects. SDA was performed at baseline and during onset and recovery from incobotulinumtoxinA treatment at various timepoints up to 24 weeks after treatment. The reference point for SDA was located at the upper margin of the eyebrow, 30 mm lateral to the median line. To correlate and validate SDA results, semi-quantitative wrinkle score assessments were performed in parallel. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean horizontal skin displacement was 5.4 mm (standard deviation: ± 1.4 mm). During onset of action after treatment, skin displacement values decreased from baseline (100%) by 46%, 85%, and 90% at day 2, week 1, and week 2, respectively. During recovery from incobotulinumtoxinA action, skin displacement values increased to 33%, 50%, and 93% of the baseline value at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment, respectively. The inhibitory effect of incobotulinumtoxinA was highly variable among subjects, ranging from 25% to 68% of the baseline value 12 weeks after treatment. Overall agreement between SDA values and wrinkle scores was good. CONCLUSION: SDA represents a novel, objective method for the quantitative evaluation of the effect of incobotulinumtoxinA on mimetic muscles underlying the fronto-glabellar region, and showed good correlation with wrinkle score assessments. Both SDA and wrinkle score indicated the persistence of treatment effects 24 weeks after injection.

The state of the art of endothermal ablation.

Complaints relating to reflux in the venous system can be addressed by conservative, surgical, or interventional treatment options. The aim of the treatment is to prevent complications and progression of venous disease and to improve patients' quality of life. Endovenous thermal ablation therapies have become the most frequently used type of therapy for saphenous varicose veins. The available endovenous thermal techniques are endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, and endovenous steam ablation. In this review, the procedures, indications, and treatment parameters of the three endovenous thermal ablation treatments are discussed as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

First human use of cyanoacrylate adhesive for treatment of saphenous vein incompetence.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of an endovenous cyanoacrylate (CA) adhesive implant, delivered with a catheter-based administration system engineered with a nonstick surface, for the treatment of incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs). The primary safety end point was the rate of serious adverse events related to the procedure. The primary efficacy end point was vein occlusion during follow-up. Secondary end points included the rate of all adverse events and the change in Venous Clinical Severity Scores (VCSSs). METHODS: Thirty-eight incompetent GSVs in 38 symptomatic patients were treated by catheter deployment of CA under ultrasound guidance via a repetitive bolus injection algorithm. By protocol design, perivenous tumescent anesthesia and compression stockings were omitted. Duplex ultrasound imaging and clinical follow-up were performed immediately after the procedure, at 48 hours, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The mean total volume of endovenous CA delivered was 1.3 ± 0.4 mL (range, 0.6-2.3 mL). Immediately after the procedure and at the 48-hour follow-up, the 38 patients (100%) demonstrated complete closure of the GSV. One complete and two partial recanalizations were observed during follow-up at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis yielded an occlusion rate of 92% at 12 months of follow-up. Side effects were generally mild and self-limited, most frequently, phlebitis in six patients (15.8%) requiring nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for an average of 5.7 days. Eight patients (21.1%) showed thread-like thrombus extensions into the common femoral vein of a mean length of 12.6 mm (range, 3.5-35 mm), which resolved spontaneously without anticoagulation. VCSS improved in all patients from a mean of 6.1 ± 2.7 at baseline to 1.5 ± 1.4 at 12 months (P < .0001). Edema improved in 34 legs (89%) at the 48-hour follow-up. At the 12-month follow-up, and without additional adjunctive treatment, 18 legs (50%) were free from visible varicosities and an additional eight legs (25%) showed limited varicosities. CONCLUSIONS: The first human use of endovenous CA for closure of insufficient GSVs proved to be feasible, safe, and effective. Endovenous delivery of CA may prove to be an alternative for the correction of saphenous incompetence and may be used without tumescent anesthesia and medical compression stockings.

Botulinum toxin type A treatment to the upper face: retrospective analysis of daily practice.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin type A treatment has been used for over 20 years to enhance the appearance of the face. There are several commercially available botulinum toxin type A products used in aesthetic clinical practice. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to compare the clinical efficacy of the most commonly used botulinum toxin type A preparations in daily practice. METHODS: Physicians from 21 centers in Germany completed questionnaires based on an inspection of subject files for subjects 18 years of age or over who had received at least two, but not more than three, consecutive treatments with incobotulinumtoxinA, onabotulinumtoxinA, or abobotulinumtoxinA within a 12-month period in the previous 2 years. Data on subject and physician satisfaction, treatment intervals, dosages, and safety were collected from 1256 subjects. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between incobotulinumtoxinA and onabotulinumtoxinA with respect to physician and subject satisfaction, dosages, and adverse effects experienced. Both botulinum toxin type A preparations were well tolerated and effective in the treatment of upper facial lines. Due to low treatment numbers, abobotulinumtoxinA was not included in the statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: The results of this retrospective analysis confirm the results of prospective clinical trials by demonstrating that, in daily practice, incobotulinumtoxinA and onabotulinumtoxinA are used at a 1:1 dose ratio and display comparable efficacy and safety.

Skin displacement analysis (SDA): a tool for the quantitative evaluation of skin movements elicited by underlying muscles in the face and neck area.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative numerical analysis of skin displacement triggered by muscles inserting the overlaying skin would be useful for monitoring the inhibition of mimetic muscles. METHODS: By using removable grid markings and digital photographs, skin displacement analysis (SDA) was performed on 13 patients pre-treatment and on Days 1, 2, 3, and 7 after injection of 18 units of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) in the fronto-glabellar area. RESULTS: At baseline, amplitudes of horizontal skin displacement with fronto-glabellar contraction showed a linear increase along the eyebrow laterally from the midline; mean values (±standard deviation [SD]) 15 and 30 mm lateral to the midline were 3.2 ± 1.0 mm (range, 1.9-4.9 mm) and 6.5 ± 1.4 mm (range 4.0-8.5 mm), respectively. After injection of BoNT/A, maximum horizontal skin displacement 30 mm lateral to the midline showed a mean reduction (±SD) to 62% ± 23% at Day 2 and to 17% ± 16% at Day 7; corresponding values 15 mm lateral to the midline were 62% ± 29% and 15% ± 20%, respectively. In all cases, the reduction in horizontal skin displacement compared with pre-injection levels was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SDA is a feasible method for the quantitative evaluation of skin movements elicited by muscles inserting the overlaying skin in the face and neck area.

Three-year European follow-up of endovenous radiofrequency-powered segmental thermal ablation of the great saphenous vein with or without treatment of calf varicosities.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency segmental thermal ablation (RSTA) has become a commonly used technology for occlusion of incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs). Midterm results and data on clinical parameters are still lacking. METHODS: A prospective multicenteral trial monitored 295 RSTA-treated GSVs for 36 months. Clinical control visits included flow and reflux analysis by duplex ultrasound imaging and assessment of clinical parameters according to the CEAP classification and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS). RESULTS: A total of 256 of 295 treated GSVs (86.4%) were available for 36 months of follow-up. At 36 months, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed the probability of occlusion was 92.6% and the probability of no reflux was 95.7%, and 96.9% of legs remained free of clinically relevant axial reflux. If complete occlusion was present at the 12-month follow-up, the risk of developing new flow by 24 and 36 months of follow-up was 3.7% and 4.1%, respectively. Diameters of the GSV measured 3 cm distal to the saphenofemoral junction reduced from 5.8 ± 2.1 mm at screening to 2.2 ± 1.1 mm at 36 months. The average VCSS score improved from 3.9 ± 2.1 before treatment to 0.9 ± 1.5 at 3 months (P < .0001) and stayed at an average <1.0 during the complete 36 months of follow-up. Only 41.1% of patients were free of pain before treatment; at 36 months, 251 (98.0%) reported no pain and 245 (95.7%) did not experience pain during the 24 months before. At 36 months, 189 of 255 legs (74.1%) showed an improvement in CEAP class compared with the clinical assessment before treatment (P < .001). Stages C(3) and C(4) combined to 46% before treatment and dropped constantly to a combined level of 8% at 36 months. However, the proportion of C(2) legs that dropped from 52.3% before treatment to <10% at 12 months showed a constant increase thereafter, reaching 33.3% at 36 months. CONCLUSION: RSTA showed a high and durable success rate in vein ablation in conjunction with sustained clinical efficacy.

Minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of saphenous varicose veins.

Lower extremity venous insufficiency is common and increases with age. In addition to classical symptoms, it may result in skin changes and venous ulcers. Chronic venous insufficiency has a great impact on patients' health-related quality of life and is associated with considerable health care costs. Surgical ligation of the junction with or without stripping has been the standard of care in the treatment of insufficient great and small saphenous veins. However, the recurrence rates are relatively high and surgery may be associated with serious adverse events and considerable down time; it is also cosmetically suboptimal. To improve efficacy, patients' health-related quality of life and treatment satisfaction and to reduce serious side effects, costs, and postoperative pain, several minimally invasive techniques have been introduced in the last decade. Dermatologists have played an important role in the development of these new therapies of truncal varicose veins. Of the new therapies, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, endovenous laser therapy, and radiofrequency ablation are the most common and challenge surgery as the "gold standard" of care for patients with varicose veins. The objective of this review is to inform clinicians about these 3 therapeutic options for truncal varicose veins and to describe and compare the procedures, indications, efficacy, and safety profile.

Early results and feasibility of incompetent perforator vein ablation by endovenous laser treatment.

BACKGROUND: Dissection of incompetent perforator veins even when using the subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery technique is associated with substantial side effects. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the feasibility of endovenous laser ablation of incompetent perforator veins. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 940-nm diode laser and a Nd:YAG laser with 1,320 nm were used with laser fibers of 600 microm diameter. Perforators were accessed by ultrasound-guided puncture using 16- and 18-gauge cannulas, respectively. Fiber tips were placed below the fascia with at least 1-cm distance from the deep vein system. After administration of perivascular local anesthesia, laser energy was delivered in a pulsed fashion using laser power in the range between 5 and 30 W. RESULTS: A total of 67 perforators were treated. Except one vein, all others were occluded at Day 1 after treatment. With 1,320 nm at 10 W, a median of 250 J (range, 103-443 J) was delivered resulting in significantly reduced posttreatment diameters to a mean of 69+/-23% (p=.0005). With 940 nm at 30 W, a median of 290 J (range, 90-625 J) was administered, showing no significant posttreatment diameter reduction. Side effects were moderate. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided endovenous ablation of incompetent perforators is safe and feasible.

Endovenous treatment of the great saphenous vein using a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser causes fewer side effects than using a 940 nm diode laser.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available about treatment-related side effects with respect to laser wavelength in endovenous laser treatment (ELT) of the great saphenous vein (GSV). OBJECTIVE: To compare the results and side effects of a 940 nm diode and a 1,320 nm neodymium:yttium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. METHODS: Three patient cohorts (A, B, and C) received ELT of the GSV using a 940 nm diode laser at 15 W (group A) or 30 W (group B) or using a 1,320 nm laser at 8 W (group C). In all cases, energy was administered continuously with constant pullback of the laser fiber under perivenous tumescent local anesthesia. RESULTS: The GSVs of group A (n = 113), group B (n = 136), and group C (n = 33) received ELT. An average linear endovenous energy density of 24, 63, and 62 J/cm and an average endovenous fluence equivalent of 12, 30, and 33 J/cm2 were administered to the vein. Occlusion rates were 95% (group A), 100% (group B), and 100% (group C) at day 1 after ELT and 90.3% (group A), 100% (group B), and 97% (group C) at 3 months after ELT. With the 1,320 nm laser ELT (group C), treatment-related pain (50%) and the need for analgesics (36%) were significantly reduced (p < .005) in comparison with treatment-related pain (81%) and the need for analgesics (67%) after the 30 W 940 nm laser ELT (group B). Ecchymosis was also significantly reduced (p < .05) in group C (1,320 nm) compared with group B (30 W, 940 nm). CONCLUSION: ELT of the GSV using a 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser causes fewer side effects compared with 940 nm diode laser ELT.

Dacarbazine, cisplatin, and interferon-alfa-2b with or without interleukin-2 in metastatic melanoma: a randomized phase III trial (18951) of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Melanoma Group.

BACKGROUND: Based on phase II trial results, chemoimmunotherapy combinations have become the preferred treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma in many institutions. This study was performed to determine whether interleukin-2 (IL-2) as a component of chemoimmunotherapy influences survival of patients with metastatic melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced metastatic melanoma were randomly assigned to receive dacarbazine 250 mg/m2 and cisplatin 30 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3 combined with interferon-alfa-2b 10 x 10(6) U/m2 subcutaneously on days 1 through 5 without (arm A) or with (arm B) a high-dose intravenous decrescendo regimen of IL-2 on days 5 through 10 (18 x 10(6) U/m2/6 hours, 18 x 10(6) U/m2/12 hours, 18 x 10(6) U/m2/24 hours, and 4.5 x 10(6) U/m2 for 3 x 24 hours). Treatment cycles were repeated in the absence of disease progression every 28 days to a maximum of four cycles. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-three patients with advanced metastatic melanoma were accrued. The median survival was 9 months in both arms, with a 2-year survival rate of 12.9% and 17.6% in arms A and B, respectively (P = .32; hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.11). There was also no statistically significant difference regarding progression-free survival (median, 3.0 v 3.9 months) and response rate (22.8% v 20.8%). CONCLUSION: Despite its activity in melanoma as a single agent or in combination with interferon-alfa-2b, the chosen schedule of IL-2 added to the chemoimmunotherapy combination had no clinically relevant activity.

Nonocclusion and early reopening of the great saphenous vein after endovenous laser treatment is fluence dependent.

BACKGROUND: Parameters influencing failure and recanalization rates of endovenous laser treatment (ELT) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) are still to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate treatment-related parameters of ELT with respect to early failure of occlusion or recanalization of GSVs. METHODS: A series of 77 consecutive patients received ELT of 106 GSVs with continuous pullback of the laser fiber. Duplex examination was performed at 1 day, 4 weeks, and 3 months after the procedure. Clinical patient and vessel characteristics as well as technical parameters of the ELT procedure were evaluated via multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A median vein length of 60 cm (range of 18 to 90) was treated with a median pullback velocity of 0.6 cm/sec (range of 0.4 to 1.3), resulting in a median energy delivery of 23.4 J/cm (range of 11.8 to 35.5) and a median laser fluence of 11.8 J/cm2 (range of 2.8 to 37.3). At day 1 after ELT, 6 GSVs (6%) were not occluded. At 1 and 3 months after ELT, 9 GSVs (9%) and 11 GSVs (10%), respectively, were found open by color duplex examination. Risk factors for nonocclusion 3 months after ELT, by univariate analysis, were laser fluence, laser energy per centimeter of vein length, diameter of the vein before treatment, and distance of the thrombus to the sapheno-femoral junction at day 1 after treatment. Finally, multiple regression analysis selected laser fluence (p=0.004, odds ratio=0.40 J/cm2) as the relevant risk factor for ELT failure or recanalization. CONCLUSION: ELT failure seems to be related to the administration of low laser fluences.

Endovenous laser treatment of the lesser saphenous vein with a 940-nm diode laser: early results.

BACKGROUND: Until now, endovenous laser treatment (ELT) of the lesser saphenous vein (LSV) has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy and side effects for ELT of the LSV. METHOD: Otherwise unselected patients with an incompetent LSV were included. After perivenous infiltration of tumescent local anesthesia, laser energy (940 nm) was administered endovenously, either in a pulsed fashion or continuously during constant backpull of the laser fiber. Patients were scheduled for duplex follow-up at Day 1 and also at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, postoperatively. RESULTS: Forty-one LSVs were targeted in 33 patients with a median age of 66 years (range, 35 to 93). Seventy-three percent of patients had skin changes (C4). Thirty-six percent had an open or healed venous ulcer (C5,6) and 15% a postthrombotic syndrome (ES AS,D PR). Thirty-nine LSVs (95%) completed ELT successfully. During a median follow-up interval of 6 months (range, 3 to 12 months), no recanalization event could be observed. Apart from one thrombosis of the popliteal vein in a patient with polycythemia vera, only minor side effects, particularly no permanent paresthesia, could be observed. CONCLUSION: ELT of the LSV under tumescent local anesthesia is feasible and effective. Caution is warranted with ELT of thrombophilic patients.

The role of ultrasound in detection and management of regional disease in melanoma patients.

Melanoma follow-up programs are directed towards early detection of tumor recurrence. Because the majority of first relapses occur in the regional lymph node area, special focus is placed on this region using various techniques in addition to physical examination. During the last several years, particularly ultrasound B-scan has evolved as a technique of major importance for detection of such regional melanoma recurrences. The technique shows high sensitivity and specificity, discriminating regional or subcutaneous melanoma metastases from nonspecific nodes. Furthermore, suspicious findings can be evaluated quickly and reliably by the minimally invasive technique of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). For regional metastases located deeply or close to vulnerable structures, the new method of ultrasound-guided anchor-wire-marking facilitates subsequent surgery. In summary, ultrasound B-scan has become an essential technique in the follow-up of melanoma patients.