Iatrogenic Vascular Injuries in Varicose Vein Surgery: a Systematic Review

Guidelines for management of actual or suspected inadvertent intra-arterial injection of sclerosants

BACKGROUND

Inadvertent intra-arterial injection of sclerosants is an uncommon adverse event of both ultrasound-guided and direct vision sclerotherapy. This complication can result in significant tissue or limb loss and significant long-term morbidity.

OBJECTIVES

To provide recommendations for diagnosis and immediate management of an unintentional intra-arterial injection of sclerosing agents.

METHODS

An international and multidisciplinary expert panel representing the endorsing societies and relevant specialities reviewed the published biomedical, scientific and legal literature and developed the consensus-based recommendations.

RESULTS

Actual and suspected cases of an intra-arterial sclerosant injection should be immediately transferred to a facility with a vascular/interventional unit. Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) is the key investigation to confirm the diagnosis and help select the appropriate intra-arterial therapy for tissue ischaemia. Emergency endovascular intervention will be required to manage the risk of major limb ischaemia. This includes intra-arterial administration of vasodilators to reduce vasospasm, and anticoagulants and thrombolytic agents to mitigate thrombosis. Mechanical thrombectomy, other endovascular interventions and even open surgery may be required. Lumbar sympathetic block may be considered but has a high risk of bleeding. Systemic anti-inflammatory agents, anticoagulants, and platelet inhibitors and modifiers would complement the intra-arterial endovascular procedures. For risk of minor ischaemia, systemic oral anti-inflammatory agents, anticoagulants, vasodilators and antiplatelet treatments are recommended.

CONCLUSION

Inadvertent intra-arterial injection is an adverse event of both ultrasound-guided and direct vision sclerotherapy. Medical practitioners performing sclerotherapy must ensure completion of a course of formal training (specialty or subspecialty training, or equivalent recognition) in the management of venous and lymphatic disorders (phlebology), and be personally proficient in the use of duplex ultrasound in vascular (both arterial and venous) applications, to diagnose and provide image guidance to venous procedure. Expertise in diagnosis and immediate management of an intra-arterial injection is essential for all practitioners performing sclerotherapy.

The 2023 Society for Vascular Surgery, American Venous Forum, and American Vein and Lymphatic Society clinical practice guidelines for the management of varicose veins of the lower extremities. Part II: Endorsed by the Society of Interventional Radiology and the Society for Vascular Medicine

The Society for Vascular Surgery, the American Venous Forum, and the American Vein and Lymphatic Society recently published Part I of the 2022 clinical practice guidelines on varicose veins. Recommendations were based on the latest scientific evidence researched following an independent systematic review and meta-analysis of five critical issues affecting the management of patients with lower extremity varicose veins, using the patients, interventions, comparators, and outcome system to answer critical questions. Part I discussed the role of duplex ultrasound scanning in the evaluation of varicose veins and treatment of superficial truncal reflux. Part II focuses on evidence supporting the prevention and management of varicose vein patients with compression, on treatment with drugs and nutritional supplements, on evaluation and treatment of varicose tributaries, on superficial venous aneurysms, and on the management of complications of varicose veins and their treatment. All guidelines were based on systematic reviews, and they were graded according to the level of evidence and the strength of recommendations, using the GRADE method. All ungraded Consensus Statements were supported by an extensive literature review and the unanimous agreement of an expert, multidisciplinary panel. Ungraded Good Practice Statements are recommendations that are supported only by indirect evidence. The topic, however, is usually noncontroversial and agreed upon by most stakeholders. The Implementation Remarks contain technical information that supports the implementation of specific recommendations. This comprehensive document includes a list of all recommendations (Parts I-II), ungraded consensus statements, implementation remarks, and best practice statements to aid practitioners with appropriate, up-to-date management of patients with lower extremity varicose veins.

A National Needs Assessment in Simulation Based Training in Vascular Surgery

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research was to ascertain the highest need areas for vascular simulation, in order to tailor training for the highest impact.

DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

A needs assessment was conducted according to best practices using the Delphi method. All consultant vascular surgeons/trainers in the training jurisdiction (n=33) were approached through an independent intermediary to contribute and generate a prioritized list of procedures for training. The research team were blinded to participant identities. Three rounds were conducted according to the Delphi process and scored according to the Copenhagen Needs Assessment Formula (CAMES-NAF).

RESULTS

A final list of 34 vascular procedures was selected and prioritized by surgical trainers. Principles of arterial repair and endarterectomy/patching were considered the highest priority. Complex major interventions such as open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, carotid endarterectomy, and endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) consistently ranked higher than rarer, such as first rib resection and more basic procedures, such as foam injection for varicose veins. Major lower limb amputations typically ranked lower overall compared to arterial interventions. Surgical trainers generally agreed with the ranking according to the CAMES-NAF. There was some disagreement for a select few procedures such as iliac stenting (which rose 13 places) and open radial artery exposure (which fell 6 places) on subsequent iterations.

CONCLUSIONS

Core operative principles and common major operative cases should remain the priority for vascular technical skills training. Other procedures which may be less invasive, but have the potential for major complications should also not be overlooked. In designing simulators the main focus should center on specific skill acquisition for commonly performed major procedures and management of the recognized potential complications. Lower limb amputations are considered adequately taught in clinical practice, or are too challenging to simulate in simulator models apart from cadaveric models.

Exploring the inclusion of anatomical variation in medical education

The role of anatomical variability in safe clinical practice is underappreciated. A lack of familiarity of anatomical variations is at the center of a multitude of medical and surgical errors. The recent rise in litigation due to such errors suggests that patient care may be compromised. This makes the knowledge of anatomical variation essential to medical education. Empirical studies were identified by searching several databases and repositories, and the Medical Education Research Quality Instrument (MERSQI) was used to assess study quality. Eight studies were eligible for this systematic review; three of which were conference abstracts. Thematic summary of these studies yielded six themes namely: (1) importance of anatomical variation in medical education; (2) the ideal time to introduce anatomical variation in medical education; (3) important anatomical variations to include in medical education; (4) approaches to teaching anatomical variation; (5) assessing knowledge on anatomical variation; (6) barriers to including anatomical variation in medical education. Including anatomical variations in medical education would improve clinical reasoning and surgical outcomes. Following the completion of this review, three recommendations were made: (1) increasing the emphasis of anatomical variation in medical education; (2) developing more resources for anatomical variation education; (3) investigating the implications of lack of knowledge of anatomical variation in medical education through further research.

[Some aspects of iatrogenic vessel injury]

Iatrogenic events made up 1-10% of in-hospital mortality. Currently, iatrogenic vascular injuries are described for almost all surgical areas. Incidence of iatrogenic vascular injuries is gradually increased that is primarily associated with high number of percutaneous endovascular interventions. Surgical treatment of patients with iatrogenic vessel injuries is extremely difficult. This is due to sudden development of this complication, severe clinical state of the patient associated with underlying disease, acute massive blood loss, as well as insufficient experience of surgeon in urgent vascular surgery. Simple lateral or circular suturing is not always possible to restore the vessel integrity. Vascular replacement including non-standard vascular reconstructions are often required. Prevention of iatrogenic vascular injuries is also insufficiently described in the literature. Most manuscripts devoted to iatrogenic vascular injuries are usually represented by case reports or small sample. Thus, it is impossible to identify the main measures for prevention of iatrogenic injury.

Patient injuries in the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency registered in Finland between 2004 and 2017

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify the unintended incidents that led to patient injuries (PIs) in the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency (SVI).

METHODS

PI claims filed with the Finnish Patient Insurance Centre between 2004 and 2017 involving SVI were reviewed. Factors contributing to PI were identified and classified.

RESULTS

Eighteen (13.2%) of 136 compensated PIs in the specialty of vascular surgery were related to SVI. Only 4.7% of 383 SVI claims were compensated. The incidence of PIs was 9.9 per 100 000 patients. Fifteen patients had open surgery (83.3%) and three (16.7%) endovenous treatment. Two (11.1%) patients had necrotising fasciitis, four (22.1%) had deep vein injuries and two (11.1%) had a permanent nerve injury. Two (11.1%) patients had retained endovenous material that required surgical removal.

CONCLUSIONS

PIs were identifiable during all stages of care, perioperative injuries related to open surgery being the most common.

Evidence for varicose vein treatment: an overview of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Varicose veins affect nearly 30% of the world's population. This condition is a social problem and needs interventions to improve quality of life and reduce risks. Recently, new and less invasive methods for varicose vein treatment have emerged. There is a need to define the best treatment options and to reduce the risks and costs. Since there are cosmetic implications, treatments for which effectiveness remains unproven present risks to consumers and higher costs for stakeholders. These risks and costs justify conducting an overview of systematic reviews to summarize the evidence.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Overview of systematic reviews within the Discipline of Evidence-Based Health, at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP).

METHODS

Systematic reviews on clinical or surgical treatments for varicose veins were included, with no restrictions on language or publication date.

RESULTS

51 reviews fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Outcomes and comparators were described, and a narrative review was conducted. Overall, there was no evidence that compression stockings should be recommended for patients as the initial treatment or after surgical interventions. There was low to moderate evidence that minimally invasive therapies (endovenous laser therapy, radiofrequency ablation or foam sclerotherapy) are as safe and effective as conventional surgery (ligation and stripping). Among these systematic reviews, only 18 were judged to present high quality.

CONCLUSIONS

There was evidence of low to moderate quality that minimally invasive treatments, including foam sclerotherapy, laser and radiofrequency therapy are comparable to conventional surgery, regarding effectiveness and safety for treatment of varicose veins.

Prosthetic Grafting and Arteriovenous Fistula for the Surgical Management of a Common Femoral Vein Injury Using a Staged Approach

A 27-year-old female patient was referred due to an edematous left lower extremity. Both saphenous veins had been ablated with an endovenous laser procedure used to treat varicose veins. Venography revealed that the left common femoral vein had been divided and that thrombosis was present at the site of division. No veins were available around the thighs. The patient was treated using a staged procedure. During the first stage, a ringed polytetrafluoroethylene graft was used to repair the common femoral vein, and an arteriovenous fistula was constructed from the femoral artery to the graft using a short segment of cephalic vein to increase graft patency. The edema was relieved postoperatively and the graft was patent. During the second stage, which was performed 6 months later, the fistula was occluded by coil embolization. The staged procedure described herein provides an alternative for venous reconstruction when autologous vein is unavailable.

Medical liability insurance claims after treatment of varicose veins

Objective:

Since insight into the reason for filing claims after treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremity might help prevent future claims, we determined the incidence of and reasons for medical liability insurance claims after such treatments in the Netherlands.

Method:

We performed a retrospective review of all medical liability insurance claims after varicose vein treatment handled by MediRisk between January 1993 and December 2007.

Results:

A total of 144 claims were filed of which 104 were closed by the end of the study period. Nerve injury ( n = 28), skin necrosis following sclerotherapy ( n = 17), deep vein injury ( n = 11) and insufficient communication ( n = 9) accounted for more than 60% of all claims. Claims were equally distributed among registrars and consultants. Some 41 of the 104 closed claims were accepted. In 27 of the accepted cases, the physician had obviously failed in providing the care as expected from a medical practitioner allowed to perform these treatments. The majority of these 27 claims were due to injury of nerves ( n = 11) or deep veins ( n = 9).

Conclusion:

The incidence of claims after treatment of varicose veins in the Netherlands is low. Proper knowledge of anatomy and adequate communication, along with the introduction of less invasive treatments might prevent future claims.

Anomalous high bifurcation of the common femoral artery at the groin: management of GSV incompetence with endovenous laser ablation

OBJECTIVES

To discuss safety of EVLA in anomalies of the GSV anatomy. To review and discuss complications of surgery involving anomalous anatomy.

METHOD

We report a case of high bifurcation of the common femoral artery wrapping around the saphenofemoral junction.

RESULTS

Successful ablation was achieved with no adverse consequences.

CONCLUSION

EVLA is a safe treatment for SFJ/GSV incompetence in the presence of vascular anomalies that have historically resulted in serious vascular complications from surgery.

A rare anomaly of the femoral vessels: complete transposition of the femoral artery and vein

We report the case of complete transposition of the femoral artery and vein in a 47-year-old woman submitted to high ligation of the left saphenous femoral junction (SFJ) and great saphenous vein (GSV) stripping. During the dissection, we detected that the SFJ and the common, superficial and deep femoral veins were laterally placed to the femoral artery and the GSV crossed the femoral artery bifurcation. Associated variations of the GSV, femoral artery and vein is quite rare and, despite being asymptomatic can lead to technical difficulties increasing the risk of major intraoperative complications. The knowledge of this anomaly seems to be important and its detection is usually intraoperative.

Recovery after ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy compared with conventional surgery for varicose veins

Background

The advantages of minimally invasive alternatives such as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) over conventional surgery for the treatment of varicose veins include lower morbidity and faster recovery times. The aim was to compare morbidity, analgesia use, and time to return to driving and work following UGFS with those reported after conventional surgery for varicose veins.

Methods

Patients who had UGFS or surgery for varicose veins were sent a questionnaire 4 weeks after treatment.

Results

A total of 332 (84·9 per cent) of 391 patients who had UGFS and 53 (56 per cent) of 94 who had surgery returned a questionnaire. The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and the proportion who had treatment of bilateral or recurrent veins. Patients who had surgery were more likely to have significant bruising (44 versus 7·2 per cent; P < 0·001) and pain (17 versus 5·5 per cent; P = 0·001). After UGFS, 43·2 per cent of patients returned to work within 24 h compared with none who had surgery (P < 0·001). Patients who had UGFS were more likely to return to driving within 4 days (P = 0·014).

Conclusion

UGFS was associated with less pain and analgesia requirement, time off work and quicker return to driving.

Femoral vein injury and transposition techniques: a new approach to venous reconstruction in the setting of trauma

Femoral vein (FV) injury is infrequent but potentially serious. Venous repair is the procedure of choice and multiple technical options are performed. This article describes a novel venous reconstruction technique of transposition of the injured FV into the deep femoral vein (DFV) system. Two men, 26 years and 32 years old, were evaluated after suffering penetrating wounds to the inguinal region, resulting in proximal FV injuries. Both the patients were treated with a lateral venorraphy of the common FV and transposition of the FV to DFV (end-to-side anastomosis). Venous thrombectomy was not required; intravenous unfractionated heparin and local acting heparin were administered during surgery. Low molecular weight heparin therapy was routinely administered before intervention in combination with elastic compression stockings. Duplex ultrasound at 1 month and 6 months after the injury demonstrated patency and luminal integrity of the involved vein in both the patients. Clinical follow-up without duplex at 12 months and 18 months revealed no evidence of chronic venous insufficiency. In instances of penetrating injury to the proximal FV, transposition to the DFV represents a novel and effective alternative to establishing venous outflow from the extremity. This technique is relatively simple and presents good permeability in the medium term. However, possible and often tolerated ligation of penetrating FV injuries should be considered a last option.

Standard varicose vein surgery

This article examines the practice of standard varicose vein surgery including sapheno-femoral and sapheno-popliteal ligation, perforator surgery and surgery for recurrent varicose veins. The technique of exposure of the sapheno-femoral junction and the sapheno-popliteal junction is outlined and advice given on avoidance of complications for both. The evidence regarding methods of closure over the ligated sapheno-femoral junction is examined as is the requirement for stripping and the use of different types of stripper. The requirement to strip the small saphenous vein and the extent of dissection necessary in the popliteal fossa is also examined. Complications of standard varicose vein surgery are outlined. The frequency of wound infection, nerve injury, vascular injury and venous thromboembolism are listed and strategies to avoid these complications are examined.

Integration of patient safety technologies into sclerotherapy for varicose veins

The American College of Surgeons, the Joint Commission, the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration all direct surgical departments, including vascular surgeons who supply sclerotherapy services, to develop formal mechanisms to improve the safety of the patient and health care worker (HCW), including integration of new safety technologies. The purpose of the present study was to identify and evaluate new safety technologies for outpatient sclerotherapy for chronic venous disease. Using national resources for patient safety and literature review, the following safety technologies were identified: (1) a safety needle to reduce inadvertent needlesticks to workers, and (2) the reciprocating procedure device (RPD) to reduce iatrogenic injuries to patients. Both devices were evaluated in the clinic, and physician responses were determined. Although the safety sheath of the needle was somewhat bulky and could interfere with the ultrasound transducer, sclerotherapy could be performed with it. The RPD safety device required instruction to show how the RPD functioned ("push-push" to aspirate-inject with the RPD rather than the usual "push-pull" with the conventional syringe), but the RPD permitted better needle control and more precise injections. The RPD was well accepted by physicians who found it to be convenient, safer, and less painful. Subsequently, the involved services successfully integrated these safety technologies into their routine clinical practices. As recommended by the Joint Commission, safety technologies can be successfully evaluated and introduced into the clinic to improve patient and HCW safety during physician-performed syringe and needle procedures, including sclerotherapy.