Quality of life improvement in Latin American patients suffering from chronic venous disorder using a combination of Ruscus aculeatus and hesperidin methyl-chalcone and ascorbic acid (quality study).

AIM: The present study assessed the effect of Ruscus aculeatus, hesperidin methyl-chalcone and ascorbic acid (HMC-AA), in the treatment of chronic venous disorders (CVD) in Latin American patients. METHODS: This study is an observational, single arm, multicentric and prospective trial. Patients suffering from CVD and belonging to C0s-C3 Clinical Etiological Anatomical and Physiopathological (CEAP) classes were included. Patient profiles, risk factors, clinical symptomatology and quality of life (QoL) assessed by SF-12 and CIVIQ questionnaires were evaluated at inclusion and after 12-week treatment. RESULTS: The main factors influencing the previous management of patients were age, gender, body mass index (BMI), familial history, physical activity, exposure to heat, heavy loads lifting, profession and clinical characteristics. All clinical symptoms significantly improved with treatment and, as BMI and CEAP classes increased. Ankle circumferences decreased over time, correlating with BMI and CEAP classes. The physical and psychological dimensions of the SF-12 score significantly increased over time and improved within each CEAP class. The CIVIQ score significantly improved over time, correlating with age and CEAP classes. CONCLUSION: A 12-week treatment with Ruscus aculeatus HMC-AA showed a significant decrease in the clinical symptoms and a significant improvement in the QoL of patients with CVD.

[A personal technic using a pediculate flap in the treatment of postmastectomy lymphedema]. / Técnica personal de colgajo pediculado en el tratamiento de linfedema postmastectomía.

A new technic of pediculate lymphoangioplasty for the treatment of postmastectomy lymphedema in order to achieve an effective drainage of the upper extremity, is presented. It may be associated to lymphatic venous anastomosis or the Thompson's surgery, according to the evolutive state of the illness. This technic consists of two steps: 1) flap's drawing as to direct the vascular flow to its base, 2) implantation of the flap, without epithelium, in the posterior face of the arm, after celuloaponeurectomy and invagination of the skin's edges of the arm, also without epithelium, over the flap. The lymphatic drainage is then improved to the supraclavicular, contra lateral axillary, inter costal and/or inguinal lymphnodes.