Postthrombotic or non-postthrombotic severe venous insufficiency: impact of removal of superficial venous reflux with or without subcutaneous fasciotomy.

BACKGROUND: Severe chronic venous insufficiency is often associated with therapy-resistant or recurrent venous leg ulcers, either as a result of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)- (postthrombotic syndrome [PTS]) or superficial venous insufficiency (SVI). Frequently present dermatoliposclerosis affects the skin as well as the subcutaneous and subfascial structures, which may impact tissue pressures and compromise skin perfusion. This study was undertaken to measure tissue pressures in PTS and SVI limbs and to evaluate the impact of removal of superficial venous reflux with or without concomitant subcutaneous fasciotomy. MATERIAL: In eight patients with recurrent, therapy-resistant venous leg ulcers, due to PTS (11 limbs, 12 ulcers) and 14 patients with severe SVI (14 limbs, 14 ulcers), subcutaneous fasciotomy was performed in addition to removal of superficial reflux. They were compared with eight patients with PTS (11 limbs, 11 ulcers) and 10 patients with SVI (13 limbs, 13 ulcers) who did not have fasciotomy in addition to removal of their superficial venous reflux. Intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) tissue pressures and transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO(2)) were measured prior to, immediately after, and 3 months following the surgical intervention. Healing of ulcer (spontaneous or by skin grafting) at 3 months was also observed. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between the groups regarding gender and age distribution or ulcer age at the time of surgery. All patients had in addition to surgery compression stockings class II (30 mm Hg). The i.m. tissue pressure was higher in patients with PTS compared with SVI patients, while s.c. tissue pressure and TcPO(2) did not differ between the groups. When fasciotomy was performed, i.m. and s.c. tissue pressures decreased and TcPO(2) increased significantly. Without fasciotomy, only s.c. tissue pressure decreased first at 3 months postoperatively. In the SVI-group, i.m tissue pressure was significantly decreased at 3 months in the group without fasciotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency with therapy-resistant or recurrent ulcer disease due to deep and superficial insufficiency have higher i.m. tissue pressures than patients with only superficial venous reflux, even though both groups have higher i.m. and s.c. tissue pressures compared with normal values. Eradication of all superficial reflux lowers s.c. tissue pressure, while additional fasciotomy lowers both i.m. and s.c. tissue pressures and increases TcPO(2), which seems to promote ulcer healing.

[Surgery for deep venous reflux in the lower limb]. / La chirurgie des reflux veineux profonds des membres inférieurs.

UNLABELLED: The effectiveness of the deep venous reconstructive surgery (DVRS) for reflux remains controversial. The more common etiology in deep venous reflux (DVR) is the postthrombotic syndrome, but primary deep vein insufficiency is frequently overshadowed. Valve agenesis is very rare. Clinical examination frequently does not allow distinguishing between superficial and deep venous insufficiency. In addition primary reflux is difficult to identify from secondary deep reflux. INVESTIGATIONS: Duplex scanning provides etiologic, anatomic and hemodynamic information. Plethysmography gives information on the overall severity of the venous disease, but not on the etiology and is not reliable for identifying the predominant component when superficial and deep insufficiencies are combined. It would seem logical to go beyond these investigations only in those patients in whom surgery for DVR may be considered. In absence of contraindication (uncorrectable coagulation disorder, ineffective calf pump) complementary investigations must be carried out: ambulatory venous pressure measurement and venography including ascending and descending phlebography. The goal of DVR surgery is to correct the reflux related to deep venous insufficiency at subinguinal level. But it must be kept in mind that DVR is frequently combined with superficial and perforator reflux, consequently all these mechanisms have to be corrected in order to reduce the ambulatory venous pressure. Surgical techniques can be classified into 2 groups: those with phlebotomy and those without. Outcomes DVRS for reflux are difficult to assess as this surgery is frequently combined with superficial and perforator vein surgery, but both have been usually performed before as first step. Indication for DVRS relies on clinical, hemodynamic and imaging criteria. Etiology is also a decision factor as surgery is more often proposed in primary reflux. DVRS must be performed on specialized and high-trained centers.

Neovalve construction in postthrombotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new neovalve construction technique in postthrombotic syndrome. The surgical procedure is described, and preliminary results of the first case series are given. METHODS: From December 2000 to June 2004, neovalve construction in 18 limbs was performed on 16 patients (8 male and 8 female; median age, 55.5 years; range, 34-79 years) to treat severe chronic venous insufficiency in cases of postthrombotic syndrome. Surgical treatment was recommended in cases of nonhealing or recurrent ulcers (CEAP classification class C6). Preoperative duplex scanning, ascending/descending venography, and air plethysmography were routinely performed. Valvular cusps were created by dissecting the thickened venous wall to obtain material with which to fashion a new monocuspid or bicuspid valve. Mean follow-up was 22 months (range, 1-42 months). Postoperative duplex scanning and air plethysmography were performed in all patients. Descending venography was performed after surgery in 15 limbs. RESULTS: In 16 lower extremities (89%), the ulcer healed within 4 to 25 weeks (median, 12 weeks), and no recurrences occurred. Neovalve competence was confirmed in 17 cases (95%). Postoperative duplex scan and air plethysmography showed a significant improvement in hemodynamic parameters (P < .001), especially in younger patients with good muscle pump function. In 17 limbs (95%), the treated segments remained primarily patent at median follow-up of 22 months. Early thrombosis below the neovalve site occurred in two patients (12%). No perioperative pulmonary embolism was observed. A late occlusion occurred in one patient (6%), 8 months after surgery. Minor postoperative complications occurred in three patients (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Neovalve construction seems to be effective in restoring femoral competence in postthrombotic reflux. Although these preliminary results are encouraging, long-term follow-up and a larger series are required to validate the technique.

[Surgical method for correction of absolute valvular insufficiency in post-thrombophlebotic disease of the lower limbs].

A new technique has been worked out for intravasal autovenous valvuloplasty. It is based on the "ink-pot that does not spill" principle with creation of two cusps and is used in the treatment of patients with post-thrombophlebotic disease of the lower limbs induced by absolute valvular incompetence of the great veins. Criteria are offered for assessment of the efficacy of the technique for formation of venous valves. Altogether 54 operations were performed including those provided to 29 patients (the main group) operated on according to the technique proposed and those in 25 patients (control group) operated on the basis of the known technique reported in the literature. In 51 patients, these operations were accomplished in combination with different variants of procedures on the communicating and saphenous veins of the lower limbs. The time of some follow ups was as long as 7 years. The beneficial short-term results were obtained in 96.5% of cases whereas the long-term outcomes were positive in 92% of the basic group patients.

[The potential of conservative therapy and surgical treatment of microcirculatory distress in chronic venous insufficiency of the lower extremities in a stage of trophic disorders]. / Vozmozhnosti konservativnoi terapii i khirurgicheskogo lecheniia narushenii mikrotsirkuliatsii pri khronicheskoi venoznoi nedostatochnosti nizhnikh konechnostei stadii troficheskikh rasstroistv.

The present work describes the results of an all-round examination and treatment of 120 patients suffering from different forms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) of the lower extremities with trophic disorders of soft tissues. Of these, varicosis was present in 91 (75.8%) patients and postthrombotic disease - in 29 (24.2%), patients. Hemomicrocireulation was examined by laser Doppler flow-metry. Assessment was made of the functional activity of neutrophilic granulocytes of the microcirculatory bed. The data were obtained indicating the decrease of skin perfusion and activation of neutrophils in the hemomicrocirculatory bed of the involved extremity at venous outflow decompensation. Of the 120 persons, conservative treatment was provided to 23 patients, in 45 patients, the conservative measures represented a stage in the preoperative preparation. Ninety-seven patients were operated on. The studies of hemomicrocirculation carried out at different times after treatment have demonstrated that conservative treatment produces a beneficial effect on hemomicrocirculatory disorders in the lower extremities of patients with CVI. However, the effects of conservative therapy are unstable and not long-lasting. Surgical correction of the venous outflow in patients with decompensated forms of CVI of the lower extremities leads to a stable improvement of the functional parameters of microcirculation.

[Vacuum therapy in a pre- and postsurgical ulcera crurum]. / Vakuumtherapie in der prä- und postoperativen Versorgung von Ulcera crurum.

Chronic wounds are often a diagnostic as well as a therapeutic problem. Three case reports depi important differential diagnoses. The importance and efficacy of vacuum assisted closure in a presurgical treatment as well as after mesh graft transplanation will be described.

Surgical disobliteration of postthrombotic deep veins--endophlebectomy--is feasible.

OBJECTIVE: Partial obstruction of postthrombotic veins is caused by endovenous scar tissue, which creates synechiae and septae that narrow and sometimes block the lumen. We have performed surgical disobliteration, or endophlebectomy, of chronically obstructed venous segments during various kinds of deep venous reconstructions to increase the flow through previously obstructed segments. In this article we describe the endophlebectomy technique, and report the availability of this procedure as an adjunct to deep venous reconstructions for the treatment of postthrombotic chronic venous insufficiency. Patients and methods Between July 1996 and February 2003, surgical disobstruction of 23 deep venous segments was performed in 13 patients in association with 14 deep venous reconstructions to treat advanced postthrombotic chronic venous insufficiency. Postthrombotic veins were surgically exposed, and a longitudinal venotomy was carried out at a variable length. The synechiae and masses attached to the intimal layer were carefully excised. Mean duplex scanning follow-up was 10.8 +/- 8.2 months (median, 8 months; range, 1-28 months). RESULTS: In 10 patients (77%) the treated segments remained primarily patent at median follow-up of 8 months (range, 1-28 months). Early thrombosis near the endophlebectomy site occurred in 3 patients, at 2, 5, and 12 days, respectively, after surgery. In 2 patients with early thrombosis further interventions were carried out with success. In a third patient with early postoperative thrombosis the final outcome was recanalization and reflux. These results yielded an overall secondary patency rate of 93%. No perioperative pulmonary embolism was observed. CONCLUSION: This series demonstrates that surgical disobliteration of postthrombotic deep veins is technically feasible, and led to patency of the segments for the duration of follow-up for up to 28 months (mean, 10.8 +/- 8.2 months). We used this technique with the objective of disobstructing postthrombotic veins, to increase flow through a previously narrowed lumen. Postoperative thrombosis at the site of endophlebectomy occurred in 23% of patients. Although this early experience is encouraging, further studies and longer follow-up are necessary to assess the durability of the procedure.

Division of incompetent perforator veins and subfascial interposition of a polypropylene foil in post-thrombotic syndrome. Preliminary results.

AIM: The safety, feasibility and early efficacy of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery was gradually accepted for patients who had severe chronic venous insufficiency but, in the literature, the recurrence rate of ulceration is about 10-40%, especially in patients with previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: From October 1998 to February 2002, 205 patients with 280 inferior leg ulcers were followed; 115 had venous ulcers but only 20 patients had chronic ulcers with previous DVT; 4 patients were excluded and only 16 patients (9 female, 7 male, mean age 61 years) with 18 chronic ulcers were included. These patients underwent sub-aponeurotic interruption of perforating veins with blind technique in association with subfascial interposition of a hand-made polypropylene foil. Eight of these patients had persistent non-healing ulcers at the time of surgery and 10 had chronic recurrent ulceration healed at the time of the surgical procedure. All patients were assessed clinically and with duplex scanning. RESULTS: The follow-up was done clinically and with eco-Doppler from 6 to 38 months with a mean follow up period of 23.2 months. The healing rate was 100%. The 2-year life table incidence of ulcer recurrence was 0%. Hospital stay ranged from 1-2 days, early operative complications included extensive ecchymosis in 1 patient, oedema in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: The division of perforating veins, with the subfascial support of a polypropylene foil give promising results in the treatment of venous ulcers in post-thrombotic syndrome with low morbidity and short hospital stay.

[The role of endoscopic ligation of the perforating veins in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency under conditions of the one-day surgery center]. / Rol' éndoskopicheskoi pereviazki perforantnykh ven pri lechenii khronicheskoi venoznoi nedostatochnosti v usloviiakh tsentra khirurgii odnogo dnia.

The present work is concerned with the results of endoscopic ligation of the perforating veins (SEPS) in 179 patients with chronic venous insufficiency, class 4-6, performed at the one-day surgery center. In patients suffering from varicosity, SEPS was accomplished in combination with phlebectomy in 52 (29.1%) patients. The second stage after phlebectomy involved the combination of SEPS with microsurgical reconstruction of the femoral vein valve. SEPS alone was provided to 89 (49.7%) patients suffering from postthrombotic disease. No life-threatening complications or lethal outcomes were recorded. The postoperative events were observed in 20 (11.2%) patients. Good results were obtained in 128 71.5%) patients, satisfactory in 42 (23.5%) and unsatisfactory in 9 (5%) subjects. The data obtained allow to regard SEPS as an effective, drastic and little traumatic technique which can be used successfully under conditions of the one-day surgery center.

[Surgical therapy of venous leg ulcers]. / Operative Ulkustherapie.

Surgical treatment of venous leg ulcers is a domain of dermatology. Special knowledge of differential diagnosis considerations and various treatment options are necessary to develop complex, sometimes interdisciplinary treatment plans together with angiologists,vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. Besides surgical treatment options aiming towards normalization of venous hemodynamics, local options such as shave or total ulcer excision are well established. Additionally, new surgical techniques such as subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) or implantation of iliac stents now have their place in the surgical treatment of venous ulcer disease.

[Reconstructive venous valve surgery]. / Rekonstruktive Veneklappenchirurgie.

The indication for venous valves surgery has to consider morphological and functional aspects. 36 reconstructive valve repair procedures and the long-term results are reported. The procedures need surgical skill and a meticulous operation technique. Primary idiopathic valvular incompetence can be treated with a direct valvuloplasty (Kistner). The leaflets of the floppy valve become shortened either by an open repair or with a closed procedure. Patients suffering from post-thrombotic syndrome showing intact valves in the deep femoral vein may undergo a transposition operation. In this case the superficial femoral vein is implanted end to side into the deep femoral vein distally to a proximal valve. The best results in post-thrombotic syndrome are achieved with a free transplantation of a venous valve from the axillary vein into the superficial femoral or into the popliteal vein (Taheri). Postoperatively the patients are anticoagulated and have to wear a compressing stocking (Grade III). The results of direct valvuloplasty (Kistner) and valve transplant (Taheri) are satisfactory, whereas the results of transposition seem to be disappointing. Good results are depending mostly on a correct indication for the operation and on avoiding the contraindications.

Results of valvuloplasty in patients presenting deep venous insufficiency and recurring ulceration.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess mid-term results of valvuloplasty in patients presenting chronic recurring venous stasis ulceration. From 1988 to 1993, valvuloplasty was performed in the superficial femoral vein of 33 lower extremities in 28 patients presenting recurring ulceration. In 23 cases, previous surgery in the superficial venous system or perforating vein had failed. Preoperative work-up demonstrated primary deep venous insufficiency (PDVI) in 22 extremities (group I), proximal PDVI in association with distal postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) in 10 (group II), and Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome in 1. Hemodynamic assessment with tourniquet placement demonstrated a mean venous return time of 9 sec (+10, -8). Descending femoral phlebography showed Kistner grade 4 in 30 cases. Outcome was evaluated by clinical examination and Dupplex scan with photophlethysmography at follow-up times ranging from 2 to 7.6 years (mean: 51 months). Correlation between outcome of valvuloplasty and clinical findings was excellent. The incidence of poor clinical and hemodynamic results was higher for patients with PTS. Valve repair in association with surgery for superficial vein insufficiency and ligation of perforators gives good results in patients with isolated PDVI.

Use of ipsilateral greater saphenous vein as a valved transplant in management of post-thrombotic deep venous insufficiency: long-term results.

Incompetence of the deep venous valve is a common feature of post-thrombotic deep venous insufficiency. Various surgical techniques have been proposed to treat reflux. In this study we describe long-term results of a novel transposition technique using the ipsilateral greater saphenous vein. From 1984 to 1994 we used this procedure to treat 16 patients including 10 men and 6 women with a mean age of 56 years (range: 25 to 76 years). In all 16 cases the indication for surgery was incapacitating pain associated with recurring ulceration in 9 patients. From the results of using this technique we conclude that transposition using the ipsilateral greater saphenous vein is safe and effective with good mid-term results, especially for pain. For ulcers the primary success rate was 55% but this increased to 84% with proper surveillance and treatment of secondary insufficiency of the superficial venous system.

Autogenous valve reconstruction technique for post-thrombotic reflux.

Post-thrombotic reflux in deep veins of the lower extremities cannot be treated by in situ valvuloplasty because of valve degeneration. The outcome of transplantation and transposition of segments with valves is controversial. From feasibility tests in animals and fresh human cadavers we have developed an autogenous valve reconstruction technique. The valve is fashioned from the proximal end of the greater saphenous vein that is left attached to the femoral vein, invaginated, and fixed to the venous wall. This technique provides a competent bicuspid valve. In a series of 19 patients operated on in 1995 we performed 20 valve reconstruction procedures at the level of the femorosaphenous junction by invagination of a fragment from the proximal end of the greater saphenous vein in the common femoral vein. Mean follow-up time was 10 months. No complications were observed. All femoral veins were patent and competent except one in which mild reflux was observed because of insufficient valve size. Further follow-up is needed to confirm the efficacy of this simple, new technique.

Mid-term results of endoscopic perforator vein interruption for chronic venous insufficiency: lessons learned from the North American subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery registry. The North American Study Group.

PURPOSE: The safety, feasibility, and early efficacy of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency were established in a preliminary report. The long-term clinical outcome and the late complications after SEPS are as yet undetermined. METHODS: The North American Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery registry collected information on 148 SEPS procedures that were performed in 17 centers in the United States and Canada between August 1, 1993, and February 15, 1996. The data analysis in this study focused on mid-term outcome in 146 patients. RESULTS: One hundred forty-six patients (79 men and 67 women; mean age, 56 years; range, 27 to 87 years) underwent SEPS. One hundred and one patients (69%) had active ulcers (class 6), and 21 (14%) had healed ulcers (class 5). One hundred and three patients (71%) underwent concomitant venous procedures (stripping, 70; high ligation, 17; varicosity avulsion alone, 16). There were no deaths or pulmonary embolisms. One deep venous thrombosis occurred at 2 months. The follow-up periods averaged 24 months (range, 1 to 53 months). Cumulative ulcer healing at 1 year was 88% (median time to healing, 54 days). Concomitant ablation of superficial reflux and lack of deep venous obstruction predicted ulcer healing (P <.05). Clinical score improved from 8.93 to 3.98 at the last follow-up (P <. 0001). Cumulative ulcer recurrence at 1 year was 16% and at 2 years was 28% (standard error, < 10%). Post-thrombotic limbs had a higher 2-year cumulative recurrence rate (46%) than did those limbs with primary valvular incompetence (20%; P <.05). Twenty-eight of the 122 patients (23%) who had class 5 or class 6 ulcers before surgery had an active ulcer at the last follow-up examination. CONCLUSIONS: The interruption of perforators with ablation of superficial reflux is effective in decreasing the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and rapidly healing ulcers. Recurrence or new ulcer development, however, is still significant, particularly in post-thrombotic limbs. The reevaluation of the indications for SEPS is warranted because operations in patients without previous deep vein thrombosis are successful but operations in those patients with deep vein thrombosis are less successful. Operations on patients with deep vein occlusion have poor outcomes.

Light reflection rheography and clinical course of patients with advanced venous disease before and after endoscopic subfascial division of perforating veins.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic subfascial division of perforating veins (ESDP) has been shown to cause fewer surgical complications than classic techniques. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of ESDP based on patients' symptoms, rheographic data, and ulcer healing. METHODS: Thirty-two subsequent patients underwent 40 ESDP procedures. Fifteen limbs presented with a postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), and 16 cases had an active venous ulcer. Data were recorded before and 2 months after ESDP. Stripping or high ligation procedures had been previously performed. RESULTS: The symptoms of pain and edema improved in 80% (PTS) and 74% (venous ulcer) of patients. Only one case did not show improvement of either pain or edema. Fifty-eight percent of patients showed hemodynamic improvement by light reflection rheography (LRR), while 32% did not change and 10% of patients had a worsened LRR after ESDP. The LRR refilling times increased by a median factor of 1.69, reaching at least 20 seconds in nine of 40 limbs. Venous ulcers that had been active for a median of 12 years (range, 0.5-21) healed in nine of 16 cases within 14-50 days (median, 21 days). CONCLUSION: ESDP reduces disease-related symptoms, improves hemodynamics in almost 60%, and facilitates healing of long lasting venous ulcers.

[Post-phlebothrombotic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs. Echo-guided targetted surgery]. / Insufficienza venosa post-flebotrombotica degli arti inferiori. La chirurgia mirata eco-guidata.

The post-phlebothrombotic syndrome surgery has always had a limited space within the limits of the venous lower limbs surgery. This, either for the distrust of surgeon to operate a limb with deep thrombotic phenomenon, or because the range of possible operations is rather limited and constituted by very cruent and devasting operations. The introduction of very accurate method in the preoperative diagnostic, as the echo-color-Doppler, enables an accurate mapping of the new venous post-phlebothrombotic situation and a careful haemodynamic study of the deep or superficial venous circle. Hence, the surgeon has a new and significant chance to perform a minimal surgery generally directed to the ligation of the perforans veins that has become incontinent after the phlebothrombotic insult. In this way, the wide and devasting dissection can be avoided as previous Linton-type interventions.