Reflux origin of the insufficient small saphenous vein by duplex ultrasound determination and consequences for therapy considering the saphenopopliteal junction type.

OBJECTIVE: The reflux pathophysiology of the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) of the insufficient great saphenous vein (GSV) has already been investigated and stratified. These results are still lacking for the small saphenous vein (SSV). The aim of the study was to analyze the pathophysiology of the saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ) in case of refluxing SSV. METHODS: The study included 1142 legs investigated between April 1, 2019, and February 15, 2023, with chronic venous insufficiency scheduled for endoluminal thermal ablation of the insufficient SSV. Preoperatively, a standardized duplex ultrasound assessment of the SPJ including the cranial extension of the SSV and the Giacomini vein, respectively, was performed to determine the origin of reflux. Having in mind, that the draining type according to Cavezzi is relevant to the treatment planning, after having scanned 152 legs, the protocol was extended to this feature: Cavezzi type A1 or A2 was recorded on 990 legs. RESULTS: In 984 cases (86%), saphenopopliteal reflux from the popliteal vein into the insufficient SSV was detected, and in 181 cases of these (16%), simultaneous refluxing blood from the cranial extension or Giacomini vein was found. In 119 cases (10%), reflux resulted only from the cranial extension or Giacomini vein with a competent SPJ, and in 39 cases (3%), the reflux source was diffusely from side branches and/or perforating veins. Cavezzi's junction types A1 (independent junction of SSV and muscle veins) and A2 (muscle veins join into SSV, draining together into the popliteal vein through the SPJ) were found in 65% and 35% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The insufficient SSV shows a high frequency of axial reflux from the deep into the saphenous vein with an indication for high ligation or thermal ablation at the level of the SPJ or immediately distal to the inflow of muscular veins depending on the junction type. In 14%, based on this study, we observed a competent junction of the SSV without indication for ligation or thermal destruction of the SPJ.

Recurrence types 3 years after endovenous thermal ablation in insufficient saphenofemoral junctions.

OBJECTIVE: Although many studies have demonstrated that endovenous therapies have comparable efficacy to crossectomy and stripping, few studies have been published regarding the classification and recurrence patterns of varicose veins after endovenous therapy. This study attempted to provide an objective scheme for the definition and classification of recurrence. Moreover, it describes the types and rates of recurrence after endovenous thermal ablation, as well as factors associated with recurrence. METHODS: This prospective cohort study comprised a cohort of 449 patients with saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) insufficiency who underwent endoluminal varicose vein treatment for the first time in the limb between October 2013 and January 2015. The treatments were performed by a team of three experienced phlebologists. For endovenous laser ablation, Biolitec ELVeS was used with bare, radial or radial slim fibers. Radiofrequency ablation was performed with VNUS ClosureFAST (Medtronic, Deggendorf, Germany). The patients were consecutively scheduled for 3-year follow-up examinations. Detailed ultrasound findings were collected by two experienced phlebologists who classified the observed duplex ultrasound recurrence into different recurrence types. RESULTS: Clinically relevant recurrence was found in only 5.1% of cases. Examining only the recanalizations requiring reintervention resulted in a recurrence rate of 2.6%. However, if every new varicose vein that occurred postoperatively was considered a recurrence, the resultant recurrence rate was almost 54%. Preliminarily, we defined a recurrence as newly developed varicose veins within the region of the SFJ or along the course of the former treated vein distal to the SFJ. According to this definition, we obtained a clinically relevant recurrence rate of 5.3%, thus indicating that neovascular vessels were the largest recurrence type (57.7% within the region of the SFJ and 9.9% distal to the SFJ), followed by recanalization (8.9% within the region of the SFJ and 9.4% distal to the SFJ) and a refluxing anterior accessory saphenous vein (7.5%). We also developed a modified classification of progression to better understand recurrence after treatment of chronic venous insufficiency; the scheme included method failure (recanalization), neovascularizations, and disease progression (refluxing untreated vessels and new varicose veins occurring outside the treated region). The diameter of the treated vein (P = .001) and the clinical class according to CEAP classification (P = .008) were significant predictors of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Endoluminal therapies are efficient methods for the treatment of varicose veins, which result in low recurrence rates after 3 years. Several factors influence the development of recurrence. This study provides a practice-oriented classification and description of recurrence with clinical relevance, through making distinctions among technical error, progression of the underlying disease and actual recurrence.