Anatomical and clinical factors favoring the performance of saphenous ablation and microphlebectomy or sclerotherapy as a single-stage procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the anatomical and clinical parameters that predict lack of regression of superficial varicosities after ablation of the great saphenous vein. METHODS: Symptomatic patients treated with endovenous ablation from August 2006 to July 2013, by a single surgeon, were included. Recorded parameters included age, sex, size, and extent of varicosities (class I-IV) (patient standing), and diameter and length (patient supine) of treated great saphenous vein. Varicose vein classification was defined as: class I ≤6 mm and localized to thigh or leg, class II ≤6 mm and present in the thigh and leg (extensive), class III >6 mm and localized to the thigh or leg, and class IV >6 mm and extensive. "Excellent" results were defined as complete resolution of varicosities, "good" results as incomplete resolution, and "poor" results as no improvement. RESULTS: A total of 267 patients and 302 consecutive limbs were included in the study. There were 175 females (65.5%), and the mean age was 54 years old (22-92). The CEAP classification was as follows: C2 (81.5%), C3 (6.3%), C4 (7.9%), C5 (2.0%), and C6 (2.3%). Great saphenous vein diameters was significantly larger in patients with C3-C6 (proximal 0.84 ± 0.25 versus 0.65 ± 0.21, p = < 0.0001, distal 0.58 ± 0.18 versus 0.44 ± 0.13, p < 0.0001) or class III-IV varicose veins (proximal 0.85 ± 0.25 versus 0.75 ± 0.27, p = 0.012, distal 0.62 ± 0.62 versus 0.50 ± 0.17, p < 0.0001). Class III-IV limbs had a "good/poor" result 69.8% of the time, as compared to 51.9% of the limbs class I-II varicose veins (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced chronic venous disease (C3-C6) patients have larger diameter great saphenous veins, reflecting the progressive nature of the disease. Patients with more severe varicosities regardless of CEAP class were more likely to require a secondary procedure. The severity of the varicosities may not correlate with the degree of venous disease, but it is an indication of which patients should undergo secondary procedures, possibly with a one-stage approach.

Brachial vein transposition arteriovenous fistula: is it an acceptable option for chronic dialysis vascular access?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the midterm performance of brachial vein arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and to compare this performance with arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) and basilic vein transposition AVFs. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed. Between December 2002 and October 2006, 149 AV access procedures consisting of brachial vein transposition AVFs (11 one-stage and 2 two-stage procedures), basilic vein transposition AVFs (n=42), and AVGs (n=94) were performed in 141 patients. RESULTS: 73% of one-stage brachial vein AVF patients experienced at least one complication during follow-up vs. 52% of the basilic vein transposition AVF group and 55% of the AVG group. The primary patency rates at 12 months for one-stage brachial vein AVFs, basilic vein AVFs, and AVGs were 24, 45 and 50%, respectively. The assisted primary patency rates were 45, 74 and 63%, and the secondary patency rates were 45, 74 and 78%, respectively. A significant difference in the overall secondary patency rates between one-stage brachial vein AVF and AVGs (p=0.015) was detected. Significance was approached between one-stage brachial vein AVFs and basilic vein AVFs overall assisted primary patency (p=0.055) and secondary patency (p=0.055) rates. CONCLUSION: The brachial vein transposition, when done as a one-stage procedure, is associated with inferior patency rates when compared to the basilic vein transposition AVF and AVG. Therefore, in the setting of inadequate cephalic and basilic vein, a prosthetic graft is superior to a brachial vein transposition. A two-stage procedure, as suggested by others, may improve the results of this technique.

Guidewire entrapment during deployment of the over-the-guidewire stainless steel Greenfield filter: a device design-related complication.

The Greenfield filter (Medi-tech/Boston Scientific, Watertown, Mass) is widely used for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. The latest version is a stainless steel over-the-wire filter. The purpose of the guidewire is to facilitate placement of the device down through the atrium or through tortuous vessels and to prevent tilting of the released filter. A case of entrapment of the guidewire in the filter after deployment through the right internal jugular approach and its recovery by reentering it into the sheath is presented. To prevent this complication, the guidewire should be removed completely before releasing this type of filter. The potential risk of tilting the filter does not outweigh the risk of guidewire entrapment.

Combined high ligation and stab avulsion for varicose veins in an outpatient setting.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the transition from radical surgery for the treatment of primary varicose veins has been modified from the previously described high ligation with complete stripping of the greater or lesser saphenous vein. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the herewith-described technique is to present a less invasive technique that incorporates saphenofemoral ligation with hook avulsion of branch varicosities. METHODS: Sapheno-femoral ligation with hook avulsion of branch varicosities is carried out under local anesthesia utilizing the tumescent technique with dissection, ligation, and division of the greater saphenous vein and its tributaries. The hook avulsion procedure removes residual diseased venous segments. RESULTS: Patients treated by this combined ligation-hook avulsion approach achieve excellent functional and clinical results associated with a minimal side effect profile. CONCLUSIONS: Combined flush sapheno-femoral ligation of normal saphenous veins (< 8 mm in diameter) and hook avulsion of branch tributaries produces excellent functional and cosmetic results with minimal morbidity.

Safety, feasibility, and early efficacy of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery: a preliminary report from the North American registry.

PURPOSE: The North American Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (NASEPS) Registry was established to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of minimally invasive endoscopic Linton operations for treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 151 patients who underwent attempt at 158 SEPS in 17 medical centers in the United States and Canada between June 1993 and February 1996. RESULTS: SEPS was completed on 155 limbs of 148 patients, 81 male and 67 female (mean age, 56 years; range, 27 to 87 years). Three procedures were aborted. Seven patients had bilateral procedures (data from one limb were analyzed). One hundred four limbs (70%) had active ulcers, and 22 (15%) had healed ulcers. A single endoscopic port without insufflation was used in 66 procedures (45%) and laparoscopic instrumentation, with two or three ports, in 82 (55%), with CO2 insufflation in 78 (53%). A tourniquet was used on 112 patients (76%). Concomitant venous procedures were performed in 106 patients (72%; saphenous stripping in 71, high ligation in 17, varicosity avulsion in 85). No early deaths or thromboembolism occurred. Complications included wound infections (9), superficial thrombophlebitis (5), cellulitis (4), and saphenous neuralgia (10). Seven patients with wound infection had open ulcers; nine of 10 with neuralgia had concomitant procedures. A roll-on tourniquet caused skin necrosis in one patient. The clinical score improved from 9.4 to 2.9 after surgery (p < 0.0001). Mean follow-up was 5.4 months; 31 patients had > or = 6 months follow-up. Ulcers healed in 88% (75 of 85); recurrence or new ulcer was reported in 3% (4 of 120). CONCLUSIONS: The SEPS modified Linton operation appears safe, with no postoperative deaths or early thromboembolism. Wound infection after SEPS remains important. Early results indicate rapid ulcer healing. Prospective evaluation of long-term results is warranted.

Complex venous reconstruction for chronic iliofemoral vein obstruction.

A 35-year-old patient, physically very active, developed symptoms and signs of postphlebitic venous obstruction in the right lower extremity that was complicated by deep venous thrombosis, while recovering from a motorcycle accident. Duplex and venography demonstrated occlusion of the right superficial femoral vein and right external iliac vein. Strain-gauge plethysmography and measurements of venous pressures demonstrated functional obstruction. The patient underwent saphenous cross-femoral vein bypass, right saphenous-popliteal anastomosis accompanied with distal posterior tibial to saphenous vein arteriovenous fistula. Ten days following surgery, the arteriovenous fistula and the distal great saphenous vein closed spontaneously. The rest of the reconstruction remained patent as documented by duplex up to 24 months following the surgery. Clinically, the patient is doing well, tolerating heavy physical exertion as before his accident. The importance of selection of patients for venous bypass surgery is stressed. Only patients with co-existing anatomical and functional obstruction are good candidates for these procedures.

Increased arterial inflow in extremities with chronic venous insufficiency: an important and unappreciated hemodynamic parameter.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and analyze arterial inflow (AI) in lower extremities of patients with symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and of members of a healthy control group. METHODS: Foot mercury-in-silicon strain-gauge plethysmography was used to measure AI, venous reflux, and muscle pump efficiency in 388 extremities of 194 patients with symptoms of CVI. Severe stage III symptoms (Society for Vascular Surgery/International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery classification) were present in 84 extremities, moderate stage II symptoms were present in 81 extremities, and mild stage I symptoms were present in 158 extremities. No symptoms, stage 0, were found in 65 contralateral extremities of patients with unilateral symptoms. Identical parameters were measured in 70 extremities of 35 healthy subjects in a control group. AI in each staged group was compared with that of the control group and with that of the other groups with symptoms with the use of Kruskall-Wallis analysis of multiple variances. RESULTS: The mean AI (+/-SD) in milliliters per 100 ml of foot tissue per minute in the extremities in the control group was 0.82 +/- 0.48. In the extremities without symptoms, contralateral to those with symptoms in patients with unilateral disease, the AI was 1.24 +/- 0.88. In extremities with mild symptoms the AI was 1.54 +/- 1.20, in extremities with moderate symptoms it was 2.88 +/- 1.70, and in extremities with severe symptoms it was 6.25 +/- 4.91. The AI was significantly increased in all extremities of patients with CVI (stages 0 to III) when compared with that of patients in the control group. Extremities with stage II and III disease had significantly higher AI than did extremities with stage 0 and stage I disease. The difference in AI between extremities with stage 0 and I disease was not statistically significant, and no significant difference in AI was seen between extremities with stage II and III disease. CONCLUSIONS: When plethysmographic methods are used to evaluate extremities with CVI, high AI, if not considered, can overrepresent the true magnitude of reflux. High AI may indicate presence of primary anatomic arterioventricular fistulas, or it may be the consequence of inflammatory changes and secondary functional arterioventricular shunting. Increased AI in contralateral extremities with no symptoms may point to the role of high flow in the pathogenesis of CVI. Clarification of this question requires further investigation.

Analysis of the hemodynamics of a bypass with adjunctive arterio-venous fistula using a direct electrical circuit model.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this work was to study, in a theoretical electric model the effect that an adjunctive arterio-venous fistula (AVF) produces on the flow patterns of a distal infrapopliteal bypass. METHOD: A theoretical electric model that mimics a femoro-infrapopliteal bypass with an adjunctive AVF was designed. Based on Thevenin's Theorem, flows in different areas of the circuit (bypass, collaterals, AVF, segment of artery distal to bypass anastomosis, arteriolar system) were calculated at different resistance values for AVF, collaterals, and bypass. RESULTS: This model demonstrated the following: (1) An adjunctive AVF with large resistance (smaller vein diameter) maintains distal flow, as opposed to a low-resistance AVF (2) Good collateral flow, in addition to low-resistance AVF, can produce retrograde flow in the segment of the artery distal to the AVF. (3) True distal flow (arteriolar flow) in the presence of high collateral resistance can decrease with decreasing resistance of the AVF, but it will never become retrograde. CONCLUSION: The effect of an adjunctive AVF on the hemodynamics of a bypass and its distal runoff vessels depends on the resistance of the AVF and the collateral vessels. The presence of AVF always increases the bypass flow and in this respect it may promote graft patency. However, Bypass grafting in the face of a low collateral resistance is of dubious value and the addition of a fistula in this situation is detrimental.

Pathogenesis and management of upper-extremity ischemia following angioaccess surgery.

Thirty-four patients with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis developed over the course of 7 years (1987-1994) severe ischemia in the extremity carrying the angioaccess secondary to arterial 'steal'. Seven of these patients were treated with access ligation, 4 with banding reducing the flow through the access, and 23 with ligation of the artery distal to the inflow of the arteriovenous fistula and establishing of an arterial bypass from a point 5 cm proximal to the fistula to the distal artery. Of the 7 patients who underwent ligation, 5 had complete resolution of symptoms, 1 had persistent pain, and 1 patient had residual ischemic neuropathy. Of the 4 patients who underwent banding, 3 lost their access due to thrombosis shortly after the banding procedure, and in 1 patient partial resolution of symptoms was achieved. Of the 23 patients who underwent arterial ligation-bypass procedure, all showed immediate signs of improvement. One patient who presented with advanced gangrene eventually required amputation, and 3 patients had some residual symptoms. The cumulative patency of the access with this procedure was 73% at 1 year and 45.5% at 2 years. The patency for the bypass was 95.6% at 1 and 2 years. The arterial ligation-bypass procedure is currently the treatment of choice for patients developing severe ischemia secondary to 'steal' following construction of an arteriovenous fistula for dialysis.

A comparison of conservative therapy and early selective ligation in the treatment of lymphatic complications following vascular procedures.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic leakage is a relatively uncommon but serious complication following vascular procedures. A conservative approach consisting of bed rest, leg elevation, prophylactic antibiotics, compressive dressings, and intermittent aspiration is the most commonly used treatment. Because of the long time it takes to cure this condition and the potential for infections, a more aggressive approach consisting of wound exploration and ligation of the leaking lymphatic has been proposed. We review our experience of the past 3 years treating 17 of these complications by using 1 of these 2 approaches. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen groin complications were seen over a period of 3 years. Ten (59%) patients were treated by selective ligation assisted with isosulfan blue dye injection, and the remaining 7 (41%) were treated conservatively. RESULTS: Mean hospital stay was 2.4 days (range 1 to 4) for the operative group versus 19 days (range 14 to 42) for the conservative group. One complication was seen in the operative group, whereas 4 (57%) patients developed groin infections following conservative therapy. One (10%) patient developed a recurrence following ligation that was treated successfully by reoperation. CONCLUSION: Our experience with the use of surgical ligation of leaking lymphatic assisted by isosulfan blue, when compared with conservative treatment, has led to a decrease in hospital stay, lower complication rates, and fewer recurrences. In our view, this approach represents the best form of treatment for postoperative groin lymphatic complications.

Varicose vein surgery with preservation of the saphenous vein: a comparison between high ligation-avulsion versus saphenofemoral banding valvuloplasty-avulsion.

PURPOSE: Surgical treatment of varicose veins with preservation of the greater saphenous vein (GSV) was studied. METHODS: Patients with reflux at the saphenofemoral junction and grossly normal GSV were treated with two different surgical techniques: perivalvular banding valvuloplasty (PVBV-A) of the saphenous valve, wherein the diameter of the uppermost saphenous valve was narrowed by Dacron-reinforced silicone band (12 patients, 15 extremities); and high ligation (HL-A) of the saphenous vein, wherein the GSV was ligated flush with the femoral vein (14 patients, 16 extremities). Both groups also had varicose tributaries of GSV avulsed through multiple stab incisions. RESULTS: In the HL-A group two GSV (13%) remained completely patent, 10 GSV (62.5%) thrombosed partially, and the remaining four GSV (25%) had complete thrombosis. In the PVBV-A group 12 GSV (80%) remained completely patent and without reflux, one GSV (7%) remained patent but showing reflux. Two GSV (13%) thrombosed completely. There were no surgical complications or recurrences (mean follow-up was 9.4 months for PVBV-A and 9.5 months for HL-A), and the postoperative recovery time was similar for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques are equally effective in the early elimination of varicosities. Preservation of the saphenous vein is significantly better after PVBV-A (p < 0.01). A prospective randomized trial with long-term follow-up is required.

Axillofemoral bypass: compromised bypass for compromised patients.

PURPOSE: The procedure of axillofemoral bypass (AXF) grafting has generally been used in the past for patients with serious contraindication to certain reconstructive procedures involving the abdominal aorta. Because some recent series have noted improved results, it has been suggested that the indications for this bypass may be extended. We reviewed our experience with AXF to identify which factors affect outcome, to determine whether recent results have improved, and to determine whether an extension of the use of the procedure is justified by the observed results. METHOD: One hundred fifty-three AXF, including 80 axillobifemoral bypasses and 73 axillounifemoral bypasses performed between October 1974 and December 1992 were reviewed. RESULTS: Three-year primary and secondary patency rates for the entire group were 49.4% and 65.7%. Primary patency was adversely affected (p < 0.05) by superficial femoral artery occlusion, use of externally supported polytetrafluoroethylene, distal endarterectomy, distal anastomosis to the deep femoral artery, and year of surgery after 1984, but not by use of unifemoral or bifemoral outflow, side of graft origin, or concomitant distal procedure. The operative mortality rate of bypasses performed for claudication and the limb salvage rate was 8.3% overall and 5.9% after 1984. Limb salvage rates were 74.8% and 74.8% at 3 and 5 years. The patient survival rate for all AXF was 55.8% and 39.2% at 3 and 5 years. AXF for acute ischemia carried a high rate of mortality and limb loss. CONCLUSION: Bifemoral outflow, external support, and more recent surgery were not associated with improved patency rates. Our results do not support extended indications for AXF.

Erectile function and penile blood pressure in diabetes mellitus.

Thirty-seven diabetic men selected to exclude the confounding effects of other medical illnesses and nondiabetic medications and 53 healthy controls underwent extensive psychosexual and medical evaluations and penile blood pressure assessments by ultrasonic Doppler measurement and mercury strain-gauge plethysmography. There was a significant negative correlation between age and the penile-brachial index (PBI) in the diabetic but not in the control group. The impotent diabetic group had significantly lower PBI than nondysfunctional diabetic and healthy control subjects. Diabetic type, complications, and adequacy of metabolic control were not statistically related to PBI. Although the PBI may not have diagnostic utility for individual patients, it may provide a valuable noninvasive physiologic measure of penile vascular changes in studies on the aged and the medically ill. The processes that mediate the interaction of diabetes and aging on penile blood pressure and erectile capacity deserve further investigation.

En bloc transplantation of infant and child cadaver kidneys to adult recipients.

From 1991 to 1992 eight child cadaveric kidneys were transplanted en block to adult recipients as part of a prospective study at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. Six of eight transplants came from infant donors less than two years of age. There were four technical complications. Two resulted in bilateral graft nephrectomy and return to dialysis, and two required unilateral graft nephrectomy with acceptable renal function from the single remaining kidney. At a mean follow-up of 11.8 months, overall graft survival is 75% with mean serum creatinine of 1.7 mg/dL. Of the infant transplants, 83% are functioning at a mean follow-up of 11.4 months. The average serum creatinine level for this group is 1.8 mg/dL. Our data support the use of en bloc child cadaveric kidneys, including infant donors less than two years of age. The use of this source increases the donor pool.