Biological autologous excised varicose vein dressing compared to conservative dressing on the ulcer bed during endovenous ablation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of biological autologous excised varicose vein dressing (VenoDress) compared to conservative dressing on the ulcer bed during endovenous ablation. METHODS: This retrospective non-blinded study included all consecutive patients with primary or recurrent venous leg ulcers (VLU) with superficial varices treated in one center between September 2019 and October 2020. They all underwent venous ablation, wound debridement, and when needed phlebectomy. On the study group, the excised veins were incised, formed into a sheet, and applied onto the debrided wound bed with the endothelial side facing the wound bed. Adhesion was assessed weekly for 3 weeks. The study group was compared to a control group that underwent similar procedures but with the debrided wound bed treated with low-adherent paraffin dressing. The primary outcome was complete wound healing at 1 and 3 months, and the secondary outcomes were wound-related pain and leg edema. RESULTS: Complete wound closure was documented in 17/26 study group patients at 1 month (65%) and in 25/26 (96%) at 3 months. Complete wound closure was documented in 37/82 patients in the control group (45%) and in 67/82 (82%) at 3 months. The 1-month healing rates were significantly in favor of the VenoDress group when adjusted to sex and diabetes: odds ratio = 2.81 (1.05-7.532), p = .04. The preoperative pain level of the study group (as measured by a visual analog scale VAS (0-10) decreased from 4.96 ± 2.71 to 0.73 ± 1.36 at 1 week and that of the control group from 4.8 ± 2 to 1.35 ± 1.38 at 1 week (p < .001). CONCLUSION: the use of autologous varicose veins as dressing effectively reduced pain in VLU patients compared to conventional techniques. Although its effects on wound closure appear highly promising, further validation is warranted in a randomized comparative study.

Inframalleolar access in endovenous treatment of venous ulcers and C5 disease with nonthermal nontumescent techniques.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of inframalleolar access for endovenous ablation when treating advanced venous disease with nonthermal nontumescent (NTNT) techniques. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study included 109 patients with advanced venous disease, treated using inframalleolar access between May 2018 and March 2020. NTNT techniques included ClariVein (Merit Medical Systems, South Jordan, Utah) and ScleroSafe (VVT Medical, Kefar Sava, Israel). Outcomes measured were postprocedure pain, leg edema, ulcer healing and recurrence rates, and venous insufficiency recurrence. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients (70%) were treated with ClariVein and 32 (30%) with ScleroSafe. Postprocedure pain score (range, 0-10) after 1 week decreased from a preprocedure median of 5 (interquartile range, 3-6) to 1 ((interqartiel range, 0-2) (P = .0001). Complete wound healing was achieved in 38 patients (43.7%) after 30 days and in 71 patients (81.6%) after 90 days. One patient developed an ulcer recurrence and six developed venous insufficiency recurrence. There was no reported nerve or skin injuries. CONCLUSIONS: NTNT ablation techniques using inframalleolar access are effective and safe without risk of nerve damage. Their use facilitates ulcer healing and limits pain in patients with advanced disease.

The Effect of Combined Ultrasound and Electric Field Stimulation on Wound Healing in Chronic Ulcerations.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound and electric stimulation are known therapies for the treatment of chronic ulcerations. Combined modulated ultrasound and electric field stimulation (CUSEFS) have never been studied as a single modality. The authors evaluate the results of CUSEFS (BRH Medical Ltd, Jerusalem, Israel) on a variety of wound types in a number of clinics. METHODS: This retrospective analysis looked at ulcers treated with CUSEFS in 4 clinics. Wounds were evaluated by an independent assessor and data was evaluated by an independent statistician. Of the 300 wounds treated with the CUSEFS device, only those classified as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) or venous leg ulcers (VLUs) were evaluated. A treatment was deemed successful if the wound was 50% closed within 4 weeks. Subjects were then followed to see if their wounds completely closed within 16 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 27 DFUs treated, 59.3% (16) achieved 50% closure within 4 weeks. Of the 38 VLUs treated, 71.1% (27) achieved 50% closure within 4 weeks. It was found that variables such as gender, size of the wound at presentation, and longevity of the wound had no bearing on the outcome. The age of the patient had an effect on the outcome of the VLUs. The wound healing trajectory was supported in that there was a significant difference in the achievement of total closure between those subjects who had a successful trial and those who did not. CONCLUSION: Combined modulated ultrasound and electric field stimulation has a place as adjunct therapy that aids wound healing and provides an effective noninvasive treatment option.

[Lymphedema--update].

Lymphedema is a chronic condition. Most cases suffer from the secondary type of lymphedema. There are new minimal interventional approaches in oncologic surgery and focused radiation, aggressive treatment of infection and inflammation to reduce its incidence and manifestations. A combination of lymphatic massage, elastic bandages and sequential intermittent pneumatic compression are the gold standard in treatment. Various aspects of the problem are discussed.

Infrapopliteal stenting with silicon carbide-coated stents in critical limb ischemia: a 12 month follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Critical limb ischemia is an increasingly common condition that has high surgical morbidity and limited non-surgical options. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use of silicon carbide-coated Motion stents, as compared to reported data for bare metal stents, in elderly patients with infrapopliteal artery stenoses causing critical limb ischemia after failed or complicated percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. METHODS: Between January 2003 and March 2004, 41 stents were inserted into 17 consecutive patients (11 males, 6 females, mean age 82 years, range 75-93) following unsuccessful or complicated PTA. Seven patients had one-vessel run-off, six had two-vessel and four had three vessel run-off. All patients suffered from CLI, had up to three lesions and more than one co-morbid condition, and were considered at high surgical risk. Silicon carbide-coated Motion coronary stents, 2.5-4 mm diameterand 25 and 30 mm length, were used. Pre-intervention assessment included clinical condition, ankle brachial index, Doppler ultrasound and digital subtracted angiography. Postintervention evaluation included clinical condition, ABI and Doppler ultrasound at 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: The technical success rate per lesion was 100% (41/41). Two patients died of unrelated causes after 2 and 8 months respectively. Primary patency rates with duplex ultrasound were 68.7% (11/16) at 3 months, 43.7% (7/16) at 6 months and 40% (6/15) after 12 months. Nine patients developed complete occlusion in 13 stents; three of these patients underwent a below-knee amputation and two patients a partial foot amputation. Re-intervention (PTA only) was performed in 7 patients (43.7%). Secondary patency rate was 81.2% (13/16) at 6 months and 60% (9/15) at one year. Mean ABI index had improved at 6 months from 0.32 to 0.67, and to 0.53 at one year. Clinical improvement was evident in 87.5% (14/16) at 6 months and in 66.6% (10/15) at one year. CONCLUSIONS: Silicon carbide-coated stents are comparable to bare metal stents after 6 and 12 months in infrapopliteal interventions in CLI when stenting is indicated.

Balloon angioplasty of popliteal and crural arteries in elderly with critical chronic limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: Elderly patients with extensive infrainguinal peripheral vascular disease and critical chronic limb ischemia (CCLI) are poor surgical candidates. Our purpose was to evaluate angiographic and clinical results of popliteal, infrapopliteal, and multi-level disease percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in such patients. DESIGN: Retrospective study of angiographic and clinical files in selected group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2002, 38 elderly patients aged 80-94 years old (mean age 83.3) with critical leg ischemia were treated with PTA. All patients were at high surgical risk. 31/38 (81.5%) patients had chronic non-healing wounds, and 14/38 (37%) had multi-level disease of superficial femoral, popliteal and crural arteries. One hundred and two lesions were treated by angioplasty. Immediate angiographic and 1 year clinical results were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The overall procedural success rate was 32/38 (84.2%). There were three major complications (7.9%), but no deaths, and three technical failures, all were of infrapopliteal lesions. After 1 year, 27 patients could be followed, five patients died during the first year of unrelated causes. Twenty-three patients (85.2%), were clinically re-occluded within 1 year, but complete and partial wound healing was achieved in 80% (16/20) and rest pain improvement in 57% (4/7), so that overall limb salvage was 74% (20/27). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with multi-level CCLI have a short patency term following angioplasty of 14.8% after 1 year. Nevertheless, this temporary vascular patency enables wound healing or improvement in 74% of these patients, thus such endovascular interventions are recommended in this age group.