Reduction in deep vein reflux after concomitant subfascial endoscopic perforating vein surgery and superficial vein ablation in advanced primary chronic venous insufficiency

Clinical outcomes after treatment of incompetent saphenous vein combined with segmental popliteal vein reflux

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate whether differences exist in the quality of life changes and complication rates after treatment of incompetent saphenous vein (ISV) based on the presence of segmental popliteal vein reflux (SPVR).

METHODS

Patients who underwent treatment for ISV from July 2016 to July 2021 were included and divided into two groups: patients without deep venous reflux (DVR) and patients with SPVR. Patients with axial DVR, a history of deep vein thrombosis, a history of orthopedic surgery, previous venous treatment, and no postoperative follow-up were excluded from the study. Duplex ultrasound examination was performed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

The study included 233 patients (398 limbs), and 50 (64 limbs) had SPVR. Differences were not observed in gender, age, body mass index, distribution of clinical class according to Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Physiology classification, laterality, treatment method, and preoperative Venous Clinical Severity Score or Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire scores between the two groups with SPVR or without DVR. Furthermore, the Venous Clinical Severity Score and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire scores at 6 and 12 months postoperatively were improved in both groups, although without significant differences. A significant difference was not observed in the rate of postoperative complications between the groups based on the presence of SPVR (1.8% vs 1.6%: P = .896). The SPVR improvement rate after ISV treatment was 25% (16/64), and patient-reported outcomes in patients combined with SPVR improved independent of treatment modality, saphenous vein treatment section, and postoperative SPVR improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Complication rates and clinical outcomes after ISV treatment did not differ in the presence of SPVR. In patients with SPVR, after ISV treatment, quality of life improved regardless of treatment modality, saphenous vein treatment section, and postoperative SPVR improvement.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the management of incompetent perforators in patients with chronic venous insufficiency

OBJECTIVE

Incompetent perforator veins (IPVs) contribute to venous pathology and are surgically treated based on hemodynamic measurement, size, and Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological (CEAP) classification. The objective of this study was to systematically review and synthesize current literature regarding surgical management of IPVs, including open ligation, subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS), endovascular laser ablation (EVLA), ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (USGS), and radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

METHODS

English-language literature published prior to November 2021 was reviewed from the PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases for primary literature reporting safety and efficacy outcomes in the surgical treatment of incompetent perforating veins. Study quality and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for comparative studies and a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for non-comparative studies. A random effects model was used to pool effect sizes for efficacy outcomes of wound healing and freedom from wound recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 81 studies were included for qualitative synthesis representing 7010 patients with a mean age of 54.7 years. Overall evidence quality was low to intermediate, with moderate to high risk of bias in comparative studies. There was an 11.3% complication rate across interventions, with no reported incidences of stroke or air embolism. With regards to efficacy, pooled estimates for short-term (up to 1-year) wound healing were 99.9% for USGS (95% CI 0.81 - 1), 72.2% for ligation (95% CI 0.04, 0.94) and 96.0% for SEPS (95% CI 0.79 -0.99). For short-term freedom from wound recurrence, the pooled estimate for SEPS is 91.0% (95% CI 0.3 - 0.99).

CONCLUSION

Current evidence regarding treatment of incompetent perforator veins is limited due to low adherence to reporting standards in observational studies and lack of randomization, blinding, and allocation concealment in comparative studies. Additional comparative studies are needed to guide clinical decision-making regarding invasive treatment options for incompetent perforator veins.

Improvements of deep vein reflux following radiofrequency ablation for saphenous vein incompetence

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the changes of deep vein reflux after radiofrequency ablation for great saphenous vein incompetence.

Method

The data on 139 limbs which were treated with radiofrequency ablation for great saphenous vein incompetence were prospectively collected and reviewed.

Results

Deep vein reflux was present in 43 of 139 limbs (30.9%). There were no significant differences in the rate of successful closure, the incidence of procedure-related complications, and the improvements of symptoms and quality of life between the limbs with or without deep vein reflux. With a mean follow-up of 5.9 months, the peak reflux velocity and duration of reflux were improved in all limbs with deep vein reflux and it was completely corrected in 13 limbs (30.2%) after radiofrequency ablation.

Conclusions

The presence of deep vein reflux does not affect the treatment outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for great saphenous vein incompetence and is improved in all patients. Deep vein reflux is not a barrier to performing radiofrequency ablation.

Role of Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (SEPS) in Management of Perforator Incompetence in Varicose Veins : A Prospective Randomised Study

The study was carried out to compare the efficacy of subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) and open subfascial ligation of perforators in varicose veins. This study was conducted on 100 patients of varicose veins from January 2006 to December 2010. Clinical scoring and color Doppler were performed in all the patients before surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A and Group B alternately. Management of the perforators was done by subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) in Group A and by open subfascial ligation of perforators in Group B. Fifty patients were treated in each group. All the patients underwent ligation of incompetent saphenofemoral junction with stripping of long saphenous veins wherever the junction was incompetent with multiple ligation of superficial prominent veins. SEPS was done by two-port method without any tourniquet or balloon dissector. Total numbers of perforators ligated were 178 in Group A and 136 in Group B. Patients in both the groups got symptomatic relief of symptoms, but ulcer healing in 33 % patients in Group A was faster as compared to Group B. However, at 3 months of follow-up the ulcers healed in all the patients in both groups. Incidence of wound infection was higher in group B (16 %) as compared to group A (0 %). There were residual perforators in 8 % of patients on color Doppler at 3 months of follow-up in Group B while there was no residual incompetent perforator in Group A. Subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery is a safe and effective method for treating incompetent perforating veins. The number of perforators ligated in SEPS was more as compared to the open subfascial ligation group. Possibly some perforators may be missed on Doppler localization and missed ligation, which may be a cause of future recurrence in varicose veins. Early relief of symptoms in terms of ulcer healing was better in the SEPS group with less wound complication rate; however, all the ulcers healed in both the groups at 3 months of follow-up. Cosmetic results were equal in both the groups. Major advantage of SEPS was less incidence of wound complications and less incidence of residual incompetent perforators. Hence, SEPS should be added for the management of perforators along with conventional surgery in varicose veins.

Deep venous reflux associated with a dilated popliteal fossa vein reversed with endovenous laser ablation and sclerotherapy

Objective. To report an incidence of reflux in the deep venous system reversed by ablation of a popliteal fossa vein (PFV). Method. A 40-year-old man with pain and swelling in the medial upper calf was found to have an incompetent PFV. Results. Reflux in the femoral and popliteal veins was reversed utilizing endovenous laser ablation and foam sclerotherapy, documented on Duplex studies before and after the intervention. There was also resolution of symptoms. Conclusion. A PFV can be associated with deep venous reflux. Correction of this reflux with ablation of the PFV suggests that his type of reflux is secondary to volume effects of the incompetent popliteal vein.

True Long-term Healing and Recurrence of Venous Leg Ulcers Following SEPS Combined with Superficial Venous Surgery: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

The role of perforator surgery remains unclear in the management of patients with leg ulcers. The aim of this study was to assess long-term healing and recurrence rates of leg ulcers following surgical intervention with combined Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (SEPS) and superficial venous surgery.

METHOD

Case series with prospective long-term follow-up of 90 consecutive patients operated on with open (CEAP C6) or healed (CEAP C5) venous ulcers in 97 legs. Popliteal vein reflux was present in 21 legs. All 97 legs were treated with SEPS and 87% had additional superficial venous surgery. Patients were follow-up for a median of 77 months (range 60-112 months) with a minimum of 5 years.

RESULTS

87% of all ulcerated legs healed. The three and five year recurrence rates were 8% and 18% respectively among survivors. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis previous vein surgery was the only factor significantly associated with recurrent ulceration (p=.004).

CONCLUSION

SEPS combined with superficial venous surgery leads to healing with a low recurrence rate in patients with open and healed venous ulcers. Previous venous surgery was found to be a significant risk factor for ulcer recurrence. This result emphasizes the importance of assiduous technique for varicose vein surgery and suggests a continuing role for perforator surgery in leg ulcer patients.

Treatment of chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) results from venous hypertension secondary to superficial or deep venous valvular reflux. Treatment modalities are aimed at reducing venous valvular reflux, thereby inhibiting the ensuing pathologic inflammatory process. Compression therapy using pumps, bandaging, and/or graded compression stockings is the mainstay of treatment for CVI. Compression therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing venous hypertension retarding the development of inflammation and pathologic skin changes. Pharmacologic agents such as diuretics and topical steroid creams reduce swelling and pain short term but offer no long-term treatment advantage. Herbal supplements may reduce the inflammatory response to venous hypertension, but are not licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration, and vary in their efficacy, quality, and safety. However, several randomized controlled trials using the herbal horse chestnut seed extract containing aescin have shown short-term improvement in signs and symptoms of CVI. Endovascular and surgical techniques aimed at treatment of primary and secondary venous valvular reflux have been shown to improve venous hemodynamics promoting healing of venous ulcers and improving quality of life. The newer endovascular treatments of varicose veins using laser, radiofrequency ablation, and chemical foam sclerotherapy show some promise.