Dynamic optical coherence tomography of chronic venous ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Chronic ulcers, especially venous leg ulcers, are a major burden on the healthcare system. To date there are only few non-invasive established procedures for evaluation of blood perfusion in wounds. Dynamic optical coherence tomography (D-OCT) provides images of the skin's superficial vascularisation. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate if and how the D-OCT measurement of chronic wounds can provide new information about the vascularisation during the healing process. METHODS: We examined 16 venous ulcers over 16 weeks and evaluated the vessel morphology and density using D-OCT at the wound bed, borders, two centimetres adjacent to the wound und at non-ulcerated skin on the contralateral leg. RESULTS: In D-OCT scans clumps were unique and the most common vessel type in the wound area of venous ulcers, whereas lines and serpiginous vessels were the most common in non-ulcerated skin. At the wound border mottle and cluster patterns occurred more frequently. Healthy skin showed a significant increase of mesh pattern. Vessel density significantly increased at the wound area compared to non-ulcerated skin. During the healing process the wound border showed the most vascular changes while only an increase in curves was observed in the wound centre. Non-healing wounds had fewer dots and blobs at the borders, fewer dots, coils, clumps, lines and serpiginous vessels at the centre and fewer dots in adjacent skin. Temperature analysis showed higher temperatures in non-ulcerated skin, followed by the wound margin and centre. Non-healing wounds showed the lowest temperatures in the wound centre. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the non-invasive use of D-OCT for the examination and monitoring of wound healing in chronic venous ulcers. D-OCT imaging of blood vessels may offer the potential to detect disorders of wound healing at an early stage, differentiate ulcers of different genesis and to tailor more individualized, patient-oriented therapy.

Application of StyleGAN Architecture for Generating Venous Leg Ulcer Images.

Leg ulcers caused by impaired venous blood return are the most typical chronic wound form and have a significant negative impact on the lives of people living with these wounds. Thus, it is important to provide early assessment and appropriate treatment of the wounds to promote their healing in the normal trajectory. Gathering quality wound data is an important component of good clinical care, enabling monitoring of healing progress. This data can also be useful to train machine learning algorithms with a view to predicting healing. Unfortunately, a high volume of good-quality data is needed to create datasets of suitable volume from people with wounds. In order to improve the process of gathering venous leg ulcer (VLU) data we propose the generative adversarial network based on StyleGAN architecture to synthesize new images from original samples. We utilized a dataset that was manually collected as part of a longitudinal observational study of VLUs and successfully synthesized new samples. These synthesized samples were validated by two clinicians. In future work, we plan to further process these new samples to train a fully automated neural network for ulcer segmentation.

Combined Management of Wound Ulcers With Focus on Interventional Techniques.

This review provides a summary of current practice patterns in managing venous ulcers. The authors will describe the workup for venous ulcers, including differentiation of symptoms, physical examination, and imaging to guide the most effective treatment course for each patient. An overview of conservative management and minimally invasive treatment options for venous ulcers will be provided with a specific focus on periulcer foam sclerotherapy to aid in preventing ulcer recurrence and promoting healing. We will give interventional troubleshooting techniques for challenging patient presentations.

Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy to remove post-thrombotic obstructions and manage post-thrombotic syndrome-associated venous leg ulceration.

BACKGROUND: Up to one half of patients with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis will develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Patients with PTS can develop venous leg ulcers (VLUs) due to post-thrombotic obstructions (PTOs) that contribute to prolonged ambulatory venous hypertension. The current treatments for PTS, which include chronic thrombus, synechiae, trabeculations, and inflow lesions, do not target PTOs, and such obstructions can affect stenting success. The aim of the present study was to determine whether removal of chronic PTOs using percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy would promote VLU resolution and positive outcomes. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, the characteristics and outcomes for patients with VLUs secondary to chronic PTO who were treated using the ClotTriever System (Inari Medical) between August 2021 and May 2022 were assessed. Technical success was considered the ability to cross a lesion and introduce the thrombectomy device. Clinical success was defined as a decrease of ≥1 in the severity category for the ulcer diameter using the revised venous clinical severity score (score 0, no VLU; score 1, mild VLU [size <2 cm]; score 2, moderate VLU [size 2-6 cm]; score 3, severe VLU [size >6 cm]) at the latest follow-up visit. RESULTS: A total of 11 patients with 15 VLUs on 14 limbs were identified. Their mean age was 59.7 ± 11.8 years, and four patients (36.4%) were women. The median VLU duration was 11.0 months (interquartile range [IQR], 6.0-17.0 months), and 2 patients had VLUs secondary to a deep vein thrombosis event >40 years previously. All treatments were performed in a single session, with technical success achieved in 100% of the 14 limbs. A median of five passes (IQR, four to six passes) with the ClotTriever catheter were performed per limb. Chronic PTOs were successfully extirpated, and intraprocedural intravascular ultrasound showed effective disruption of venous synechiae and trabeculations. Stents were placed in 10 limbs (71.4%). The time to VLU resolution or the latest follow-up was 12.8 ± 10.5 weeks, and clinical success was achieved for all 15 VLUs (100%), with the revised venous clinical severity score for the ulcer diameter improving from a median of 2 (IQR, 2-2) at baseline to a median score of 0 (IQR, 0-0) at last follow-up. The VLU area had decreased by 96.6% ± 8.7%. Of the 15 VLUs, 12 (80.0%) had resolved completely, and 3 had demonstrated near-complete healing. CONCLUSIONS: All patients showed complete or near-complete VLU healing within a few months after mechanical thrombectomy. Mechanical extirpation and interruption of chronic PTOs allowed for luminal gain and restoration of cephalad inflow. With additional investigation, mechanical thrombectomy with the study device could prove a vital component to the treatment of VLUs secondary to PTOs.

Sheath-Based Combined Foam Sclerotherapy to Promote Management of Extensive Insufficiency of the Great Saphenous Vein in Venous Ulcers.

Background: Foam sclerotherapy is considered an acceptable method to treat great saphenous vein (GSV) insufficiency, promoting occlusion of its trunk and eradicating reflux. Various modalities and techniques have been described, varying form foam infusion through multiple short cannulae along the GSV to catheter-directed techniques in order to facilitate complete proximal GSV occlusion and improve technical and clinical success. Purpose: To present a modification of the sclerotherapy tehcnique where the presence of venous ulcers poses an extra challenge to the treatment of GSV treatment. Technique: We describe a technical proposal of single foam perfusion through a 11 cm 5F sheath placed at the knee level combined with simultaneous retrograde infusion below the knee. Perivenous tumescent segmental infiltration with cold normal saline at 4°C is applied initially to reduce the diameter in those GSV >6-7 mm. Conclusions: This combination avoids multiple vein cannulation in the GSV along the thigh as well as the need for antegrade infusion when GSV cannulation at the lower tibia is prohibited by a large ulcer area.

Prevalence and predictors of combined >50% iliocaval venous obstruction and superficial venous reflux in chronic venous insufficiency patients with healed or active venous leg ulcer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of combined >50% iliocaval venous obstruction (ICVO) and superficial venous reflux (SVR) in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) with a healed (C5) or an active (C6) venous leg ulcer (VLU). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from patients with CVI with CEAP (Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiology) class C5 (healed ulcer) or C6 (active ulcer) with SVR who had been treated at our institution from February 2017 to January 2018. The demographic, clinical, and surgical data and duplex ultrasound and computed tomography venography findings were collected. We used OsiriX MD, version 2.9, software (Pixmeo SARL, Bernex, Switzerland) to measure the vein diameter via multiplanar reconstruction. The prevalence of combined >50% ICVO and SVR was evaluated, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent predictors of >50% ICVO in patients with CVI and SVR. RESULTS: A total of 79 limbs from 67 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 59.82 ± 12.86 years, the mean body mass index was 28.68 ± 6.41 kg/m2, and 41.8% were men. The prevalence of >50% ICVO in the patients with SVR was 31.6%. Univariate analysis showed a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the affected leg (P = .001), a VLU in the left leg (P = .033), a history of a recurrent VLU (P = .038), and reversed flow in the superficial epigastric vein (P = .004) were significantly associated with >50% ICVO in patients with CVI and SVR. Multivariate analysis revealed a history of DVT in the affected leg (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.29-30.19; P = .001), a VLU in the left leg (aOR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.18-13.19; P = .026), and a history of a recurrent VLU (aOR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.02-9.32; P = .047) to be independently associated with combined >50% ICVO and SVR in patients with CVI. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of combined >50% ICVO and SVR in patients with CVI and CEAP C5 or C6 was 31.6%. The independent predictors of combined >50% ICVO and SVR in those with CVI were a history of DVT in the affected leg, a VLU in the left leg, and recurrent VLUs.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of concomitant truncal and perforator surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Incompetent perforator veins are encountered frequently during ultrasound assessment of the venous system in chronic venous disease. Some studies have shown that concomitant treatment of truncal and perforator incompetence improves ulcer healing, yet a Cochrane review was unable to determine the potential benefits of perforator surgery in venous ulcer management due to poor quality evidence. This study aims to establish the exact role of concomitant treatment in patients with chronic venous disease. METHODS: A search of online databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane was performed in March 2022. All studies comparing the outcomes of concomitant superficial venous plus perforator surgery with standard therapy were included. Variables assessed included ulcer healing, time to healing, and ulcer recurrence. Disease severity and quality of life, vein occlusion rates, number of incompetent perforator veins on duplex ultrasound post treatment, and reintervention and complication rates were also analyzed. Data were pooled using a random effects model. RESULTS: Seven studies (872 limbs) were included for analysis. Included studies were of reasonable methodological quality. Ulcer healing rates were similar in each group (relative risk [RR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96-1.19; P = .23). Two studies reported no difference in mean time (days) to ulcer healing between groups (mean difference, -14.60; 95% CI, -34.57 to 5.38; P = .15; I2 = 0%; P = .56). Ulcer recurrence was significantly lower in the concomitant group (3.7% vs 44%) (RR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07- 0.65; P = .007; I2 = 43%; P = .17). Overall, there was no difference in disease severity measured at 12-month follow-up, with a weighted mean difference between groups of -0.88 (95% CI, -2.05 to 0.29; P = .14; I2 = 84%; P = .002). Quality of life was reported in only one study. The total number of perforator veins identified at follow-up duplex ultrasound was significantly lower in the concomitant group (22.4% vs 89%) compared with standard therapy (RR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.19-0.53; P < .0001; I2 = 88%; P = .0002). There was no difference between groups for occlusion rates of treated great saphenous vein or incompetent perforators (RR, 2.22; 95% CI, 0.10-49.74; P = .61). Reported minor (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.63-1.52; P = .92) and thrombotic complications (RR, 2.04; 95% CI, 0.59-6.99; P = .26) were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant truncal and perforator surgery is comparable to standard therapy in terms of ulcer healing, safety, and efficacy. Meta-analysis suggests that concomitant treatment could significantly reduce ulcer recurrence rates, but included studies were subject to some biases and short follow-up. Concomitant treatment may be considered to prevent recurrence rather than improve ulcer healing.

Venous leg ulcers and prevalence of surgically correctable reflux disease in a national registry.

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous disorders are common, with varicose veins occurring in ∼40% of the population. Venous leg ulcers affect 1% to 2% of the population, with the prevalence increasing ≤4% for those aged >65 years. Both conditions are expensive and together are responsible for ≤2% of the annual healthcare budget expenditure of Western societies. The ESCHAR (effect of surgery and compression on healing and recurrence) and EVRA (early venous reflux ablation) trials demonstrated that surgical correction of superficial venous reflux reduced ulcer recurrence, resulted in faster healing times (EVRA), and was proved cost-effective. Largescale data regarding patients with chronic venous leg ulcers presenting to venous centers with treatable superficial venous insufficiency has not been previously reported. Our study was designed to evaluate the percentage of patients with leg ulcers presenting to dedicated vein centers who were found to have surgically correctable superficial venous insufficiency. METHODS: The American Vein & Lymphatic Society Patient Reported Outcome Venous Registry began collecting data in 2014 and is one of two national registries focused on chronic venous disorders. The database was queried first for the presence of an ulcer using the CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) classification (C6 status). These de-identified data were further correlated by crossing the number of ulcers for the same limb using the revised venous clinical severity score (rVCSS). The demographics, index duplex ultrasound details, and rVCSS features for ulcer duration and compression use were analyzed. Once the presence of an ulcer had been validated by CEAP and rVCSS, the population was divided into groups according to the ultrasound-reported anatomic pathology (eg, normal, reflux, obstruction, reflux plus obstruction). The query was directed toward all patients seeking a venous evaluation at participating centers from January 2018 through January 2022. RESULTS: More than 270,000 unique patient records were reviewed. Of the 270,000 records, 163,027 (60%) had had duplex ultrasound scans available, for 1794 unique patients (1879 limbs), representing 1.1% with a leg wound. Of these patients, 55.4% were men and 44.6% were women. Group S included patients with isolated superficial pathology (n = 1291; 68.7%). Group M included patients with mixed superficial and deep pathology (n = 238; 12.7%). Group D included patients with isolated deep vein pathology (n = 58; 3.1%). Finally, group N included patients with leg wounds but no venous pathology (n = 292; 15.5%). The rVCSSs for groups S and M were significantly higher than those for group N. In group S, the dominant patterns involved the great saphenous vein (GSV) above the knee (54.8%), the small saphenous vein (30.7%), and the anterior accessory GSV (14.4%). The frequency of single, double, and triple axial vein reflux identified 1.45 vessels eligible for ablation treatment per limb. In group M, the dominant patterns involved the GSV above the knee (61.7%), the small saphenous vein (26.2%), and the anterior accessory GSV (12.1%), for 1.52 axial segments per limb. Of the 84.4% of venous ulcer patients, duplex ultrasound analysis revealed that 97% of this large subset had had surgically correctable disease. CONCLUSIONS: The American Vein & Lymphatic Society Patient Reported Outcome Venous Registry demonstrated that 85% of the leg wounds in the present study were venous in origin and 97% possessed surgically correctable disease. Our findings support early referral to dedicated vein centers with appropriate venous reflux management as a part of the multidisciplinary team caring for patients with venous leg ulcers.

Can Thermal Imaging Technique be Used to Predict the Healing Status of a Venous Leg Ulcer?

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are the most common chronic wound types in older populations, with many wounds not healing in the normal trajectory. Many older people with wounds are treated in their homes, currently assessed by monitoring the wound area over weeks to ascertain the potential for healing. A noncontact method using thermal imaging has been shown to predict the healing trajectory of diabetes-related foot ulcers, although has not been tested in VLU or the home setting. This project investigated the effectiveness of using thermal imaging to predict VLU healing in the homes of participants. Images of 78 ulcers were collected weekly using a thermal camera from 67 participants in their homes, at 5 consecutive time points. Final follow-up calls were undertaken at 12 weeks to ascertain healing status (healed/unhealed). Images were preprocessed and segmented and the area of the region of the wound was extracted. Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to test the association of the change of areas over the 5 consecutive weeks with the healing status of the ulcers at 12 weeks. The 95% confidence interval plots were obtained to study the distribution of the area in the healed and unhealed cases. This study found that the difference in the imaged areas between unhealed ulcers at 12 weeks did not reach statistical significance using thermal imaging. Therefore, thermal images could not predict healing progression in VLUs when the images were taken in the homes of participants. Future research to improve the prediction of venous leg ulcer healing should include developing a protocol to standardize conditions, improve imaging process methods, and use machine learning.

The efficacy of low-frequency ultrasound as an added treatment for chronic wounds: A meta-analysis.

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of low-frequency ultrasound as an added treatment for chronic wounds. A systematic literature search up to May 2022 was performed and 838 subjects with chronic wounds at the baseline of the studies; 412 of them were using the low-frequency ultrasound (225 low-frequency high-intensity contact ultrasound for diabetic foot wound ulcers, and 187 low-frequency low-intensity non-contact ultrasound for a venous leg wound ulcers), and 426 were using standard care (233 sharp debridements for diabetic foot wound ulcers and 193 sham treatments for venous leg wound ulcers). Odds ratio (OR), and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of low-frequency ultrasound as an added treatment for chronic wounds using the dichotomous, and contentious methods with a random or fixed-effect model. The low-frequency high-intensity contact ultrasound for diabetic foot wound ulcers had significantly lower non-healed diabetic foot wound ulcers at ≥3 months (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.24-0.56, P < .001), a higher percentage of diabetic foot wound ulcers area reduction (MD, 17.18; 95% CI, 6.62-27.85, P = .002) compared with sharp debridement for diabetic foot wound ulcers. The low-frequency low-intensity non-contact ultrasound for a venous leg wound ulcers had a significantly lower non-healed venous leg wound ulcers at ≥3 months (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15-0.62, P = .001), and higher percentage venous leg wound ulcers area reduction (MD, 18.96; 95% CI, 2.36-35.57, P = .03) compared with sham treatments for a venous leg wound ulcers. The low-frequency ultrasound as an added treatment for diabetic foot wound ulcers and venous leg wound ulcers had significantly lower non-healed chronic wound ulcers at ≥3 months, a higher percentage of chronic wound ulcers area reduction compared with standard care. The analysis of outcomes should be with caution because of the low sample size of all the 17 studies in the meta-analysis and a low number of studies in certain comparisons.

Factors associated with delayed venous ulcer healing after endovenous intervention for superficial venous insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective trial analyzed the effect of predetermined variables on venous ulcer healing after endovenous ablation of insufficient veins. METHODS: A total of 259 patients presenting 273 venous leg ulcers (VLUs) at Oulu University Hospital vascular outpatient clinic between January 2010 and December 2020 were included in the study. In addition to compression therapy, all patients received endovenous ablation (endothermal ablation and/or foam sclerotherapy) to promote venous healing. The hazard ratio (HR) for an ulcer to heal was analyzed in univariate analysis of predetermined factors, including age, sex, recurrent venous ulcer, presence of great saphenous vein or small saphenous vein reflux, persistent superficial vein reflux after ablation, recanalization in treated segments, ulcer age, body mass index >35 kg/m2, history of deep vein thrombosis, history of erysipelas, ability to move, smoking, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and cardiac insufficiency. Logistic regression was used in a multivariate analysis to identify independent risk factors for ulcer healing. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, healing was negatively associated with persistent superficial vein reflux after ablation (HR, 0.117; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.088-0.354), recanalization in treated segments (HR, 0.161; 95% CI, 0.060-0.433), nonambulatory patient (HR, 0.322; 95% CI, 0.130-0.800), history of deep vein thrombosis (HR, 0.518; 95% CI, 0.294-0.910), and presence of small saphenous vein reflux (HR, 0.565; 95% CI, 0.384-0.830). Independent risk factors included persistent superficial vein reflux after ablation (HR, 0.123; 95% CI, 0.0051-0.295). All the patients in the persistent superficial vein reflux group had their VLUs eventually healed after further endovenous treatment. CONCLUSIONS: When treating patients with VLUs, persistent superficial vein reflux after ablation was negatively associated with ulcer healing. After additional endovenous ablative treatment, ulcers with persistent reflux eventually healed.

A Contemporary Comparison of Cyanoacrylate, Radiofrequency, and Endovenous Laser Ablation on Healing of Active Venous Ulceration.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study is to compare the healing rates of active lower extremity venous ulcers for patients receiving one of 3 ablation methods, compare their complications, and identify factors affecting successful healing and prevention of recurrence. METHODS: For this study, data were collected retrospectively on 146 patients at a single institution, tertiary referral center, with an active venous ulcer who underwent ablation therapy via cyanoacrylate (VenaSeal), radiofrequency (RFA), or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) from 2010 to 2020. RESULTS: The study showed a nonsignificant difference in days to ulcer healing postintervention between ablative techniques, with 80.8 days for cyanoacrylate ablation (n = 15), 70.07 for RFA (n = 44), and 67.04 days for EVLA (n = 79). A similar, nonsignificant trend was observed for ulcer recurrence, with a rate of 35.7% (5/14) for cyanoacrylate ablation, 26.7% (20/75) for EVLA, and 23.1% (9/39) for RFA. The same nonsignificant trend occurred with deep venous thrombosis following the procedure in 6.3% (1/16) of cyanoacrylate ablation, 4.8% (4/84) of EVLA, and 2.2% (1/46) of RFA cases. The rate of endovenous glue induced thrombosis was also higher (6.3%) for cyanoacrylate than endovenous heat induced thrombosis in EVLA (3.6%) and RFA (2.2%). Cox proportional hazard was significant for compliance with compression therapy (hazard ratio [HR] 2.12, confidence interval [CI] 95% = 1.10-4.20, P = 0.031) and a lack of working with a wound clinic (HR 0.50, CI 95% = 0.33-0.75, P = 0.001) were associated with the decreased time to healing of ulcer but was not influenced by the presence of other comorbidities of smoking or diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates a trend toward cyanoacrylate ablation having longer healing times and more complications compared to other ablation methods when used in patients with active venous ulcers. Compliance with compression treatment is predictive of venous ulcer healing and working with a wound clinic had significantly longer healing times.

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.

Comparison of high saphenous ligation and stripping, radiofrequency ablation, and subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery for the treatment of active venous ulcers: Retrospective cohort with five-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of high saphenous ligation and stripping, radiofrequency ablation, and subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery for the treatment of active venous ulcers. METHODS: One hundred ninety-five (n = 195) subjects who were treated for venous leg ulcers were enrolled between 2009 and 2014. Three groups were formed (Group A: high saphenous ligation and total stripping, Group B: radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein + perforators, and Group C: radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein + subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery) (n = 65 for each group). The venous clinical severity score for baseline, 1st, 6th, and 12th months, great saphenous vein occlusion at the 1st, 6th, and 12th months, and ulcer rates for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th years were recorded. RESULTS: For venous clinical severity score, only the first month decrease was significant for the subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery group (p = 0.001). Great saphenous vein occlusion was higher at the 6th and 12th months for the high saphenous ligation and stripping and subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery groups than for the radiofrequency ablation group (p = 0.036 and p = 0.037). The rate of ulcers for the subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery group was lower at the second, third, fourth, and fifth years (p = 0.011). No significant difference was found between groups for the five-year recovery rates (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery technique in conjunction with radiofrequency ablation of axial vein was superior to both high saphenous ligation and stripping and radiofrequency ablation of axial and perforators for ulcer healing.

Clinical validation of a machine-learning-based handheld 3-dimensional infrared wound imaging device in venous leg ulcers.

Chronic venous insufficiency is a chronic disease of the venous system with a prevalence of 25% to 40% in females and 10% to 20% in males. Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) result from venous insufficiency. VLUs have a prevalence of 0.18% to 1% with a 1-year recurrence of 25% to 50%, bearing significant socioeconomic burden. It is therefore important for regular assessment and monitoring of VLUs to prevent worsening. Our study aims to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability of a machine learning-based handheld 3-dimensional infrared wound imaging device (WoundAide [WA] imaging system, Konica Minolta Inc, Tokyo, Japan) compared with traditional measurements by trained wound nurse. This is a prospective cross-sectional study on 52 patients with VLUs from September 2019 to January 2021 using three WA imaging systems. Baseline patient profile and clinical demographics were collected. Basic wound parameters (length, width and area) were collected for both traditional measurements and measurements taken by the WA imaging systems. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was analysed using intra-class correlation statistics. A total of 222 wound images from 52 patients were assessed. There is excellent intra-rater reliability of the WA imaging system on three different image captures of the same wound (intra-rater reliability ranging 0.978-0.992). In addition, there is excellent inter-rater reliability between the three WA imaging systems for length (0.987), width (0.990) and area (0.995). Good inter-rater reliability for length and width (range 0.875-0.900) and excellent inter-rater reliability (range 0.932-0.950) were obtained between wound nurse measurement and each of the WA imaging system. In conclusion, high intra- and inter-rater reliability was obtained for the WA imaging systems. We also obtained high inter-rater reliability of WA measurements against traditional wound measurement. The WA imaging system is a useful clinical adjunct in the monitoring of VLU wound documentation.

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy as a therapeutic modality in venous ulceration.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate rates of ulcer healing following ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). METHODS: The MEDLINE, CENTRAL and Embase databases were used to search for relevant studies using the terms ' (sclerotherapy AND ulcer) OR (vein AND ulcer) OR (sclerotherapy AND vein)'. Heterogeneity between studies was quantified using the I2 statistic. A random effects model was used to calculate risk ratios where substantial heterogeneity was found. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 8266 articles. 8 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and 3 in the meta-analysis. Superior complete ulcer healing rates were noted in patients treated with foam sclerotherapy versus compression therapy alone (pooled OR 6.41, 95% CI = 0.3-148.2, p = 0.246, random effects method). A marked degree of heterogeneity was observed between studies (I2 = 81%). CONCLUSION: A prospective, trial is warranted in order to determine the true merits of UGFS in the setting of venous ulceration.

Thermal imaging potential and limitations to predict healing of venous leg ulcers.

Area analysis of thermal images can detect delayed healing in diabetes foot ulcers, but not venous leg ulcers (VLU) assessed in the home environment. This study proposes using textural analysis of thermal images to predict the healing trajectory of venous leg ulcers assessed in home settings. Participants with VLU were followed over twelve weeks. Digital images, thermal images and planimetry of wound tracings of the ulcers of 60 older participants was recorded in their homes by nurses. Participants were labelled as healed or unhealed based on status of the wound at the 12th week follow up. The weekly change in textural features was computed and the first two principal components were obtained. 60 participants (aged 80.53 ± 11.94 years) with 72 wounds (mean area 21.32 ± 51.28cm2) were included in the study. The first PCA of the change in textural features in week 2 with respect to week 0 were statistically significant for differentiating between healed and unhealed cases. Textural analysis of thermal images is an effective method to predict in week 2 which venous leg ulcers will not heal by week 12 among older people whose wounds are being managed in their homes.

Thrombotic complications of superficial endovenous ablation: a contemporary review of thermal and non-thermal techniques.

Endovenous ablation has become the preferred means to treat superficial venous insufficiency. Ablative technologies have evolved to include a variety of both thermal and non-thermal techniques. The reported thrombotic complications of endovenous heat induced thrombosis (EHIT) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) associated with thermal techniques are low (<2% overall). However, the limited data on newer non-thermal technologies suggest these modalities may have thrombotic complication rates upwards of 6%. Additionally, the pathophysiology of thrombotic events related to mechanochemical ablative techniques may differ from EHIT, and thus, may have different implications for management. Described is a case report of a stroke after cyanoacrylate ablation of the great saphenous vein, and a review of the current literature reporting the thrombotic complications associated with current thermal and non-thermal techniques. There exists a need for high-volume studies on newer ablative techniques to fully understand their associated thrombotic complications. This review highlights the need for a comprehensive classification system and standard treatment algorithm encompassing of thrombotic complications associated with both thermal and non-thermal ablative techniques.