Standard Stripping versus Long Saphenous Vein-Saving Surgery for Primary Varicose Veins: A Prospective, Randomized Study with the Patients as Their Own Controls

Objective:

To compare the postoperative discomfort and long-term outcome following standard stripping and atter long saphenous vein-saving surgery.

Design:

Prospective, randomized case-control study with patients serving as their own controls.

Setting:

Department of Surgery, County Hospital, Varberg, Sweden.

Patients:

Eighteen patients with bilateral primary varicose veins.

Interventions:

The patients were randomized prospectively to stripping or long saphenous vein-saving surgery. The leg causing most discomfort was operated on first. The other leg was operated on using the alternative method.

Main outcome measures:

Postoperative discomfort was assessed after an interview with the patient. Long-term outcome was determined by clinical assessment and Plethysmographic venous return time.

Results:

After 4 years the legs subjected to long saphenous vein-saving surgery yielded equal clinical results and had as great a prolongation of the plethysmographic venous return time as legs operated on using standard stripping. More patients reported greater discomfort following stripping than after vein-saving surgery. The saved long saphenous vein in all legs operated on was patent, compressible, non-sclerotic and free of intraluminal echoes.

Conclusion:

The long-term results of long saphenous vein-saving surgery are as good as standard stripping, provided that incompetent perforators are throughly mapped preoperatively and ligated at surgery. Long saphenous vein-saving surgery causes less subjective postoperative discomfort than standard stripping. The saved long saphenous vein can probably be used for future arterial reconstruction.

A Study of the Mechanisms by Which Haemodynamic Function Improves following Long Saphenous Vein-Saving Surgery

Objective:

To study the mechanisms by which haemodynamic function improves following long saphenous vein-saving surgery.

Design:

Cohort study.

Patients:

Twenty patients, 14 women and six men, with primary varicose veins.

Interventions:

Varicose vein surgery by the long saphenous vein-saving technique.

Main outcome measures:

Preoperative investigation by physical examination, strain-gauge plethysmography, phlebography and measurements of the long saphenous vein diameter at four different locations using high-resolution, real-time ultrasound. Three months following vein-saving surgery, the patients were reassessed with physical examination, strain-gauge plethysmography and measurements of the long saphenous vein diameter.

Results:

All patients but one showed excellent or good results following surgery. The preoperative diameter of the long saphenous vein was reduced by 40% at four different levels in the operated legs ( p<0.01). The venous return time of the same legs increased 2.4 times ( p<0.001). The decrease of the long saphenous vein diameter correlated positively with the increase in venous return time (t-50), ( r=0.50, p=0.04).

Conclusion:

The results suggest that the development of incompetent perforators is an early major event in the formation of primary varicose veins. The results also suggest that the long saphenous vein valvular incompetence in varicose veins is attributable to venous wall dilatation rather than degeneration of the valves. The results support the hypothesis that the improvement in haemodynamic function following long saphenous vein-saving surgery is due, at least partly, to a reduction of the long saphenous vein diameter, which in turn tends to restore valvular competence.

Determinants of bone loss in patients with Kock ileal urinary reservoir

The purpose of the present study was to determine the change in bone mineral density (BMD) measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in patients with Kock reservoirs for urinary diversion who were examined with the same technique 3 years earlier, and relate the changes to kidney function and variables reflecting bone metabolism. A total of 28 patients with Kock ileal reservoirs to the skin (23) or urethra (5) were reinvestigated 3 years after the first measurement. BMD was measured in the lumbar spine, femur and whole body with DXA. Bone specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin and chloride were also determined in serum. GFR was determined from the plasma clearance of 51Cr-EDTA. The mean values for BMD expressed in percentage of corresponding mean values for age-matched controls (BMD%) were almost identical after 3 years. Only osteocalcin levels correlated with the BMD% values. However, significant positive correlations were found between GFR and the observed individual changes in BMD% over the 3 years in spite of the fact that most GFR values were fairly normal. Enhanced bone loss was associated with high concentrations of osteocalcin and bone specific alkaline phosphatase. Comparisons with blood gas analyses and determination of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D performed in the previous study indicate to us that the relation between reduced GFR and low mineral content might, in part, be related to a low-grade metabolic acidosis and reduced availability of the biologically active vitamin D hormone. The conclusion to be drawn is that urinary diversion with a Kock reservoir does not regularly cause bone demineralization. However, patients with even moderately reduced GFR appear to be at risk for developing osteoporosis in the long-time run.

Serum levels of IgG antibodies against Tamm-Horsfall protein and urinary excretion of NAG and alpha-1-microglobulin as possible markers for tubular damage in patients with a continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion

Serum IgG antibodies against Tamm-Horsfall protein and urinary excretion of NAG and alpha-1-microglobulin were measured in 26 patients with a Kock reservoir for continent urinary diversion or orthotopic bladder reconstruction in order to detect any signs of tubular damage. None of these markers for tubular damage was correlated to the postoperative observation time ranging between 2 and 16 years. No correlation was found between these markers and signs of renal scarring or upper urinary tract dilatation as judged from urographies. A positive correlation was demonstrated between NAG excretion and antibodies against Tamm-Horsfall protein. The annual reduction in GFR was increased in patients with elevated alpha-1-microglobulin excretion but not in patients with elevated titres of antibodies against Tamm-Horsfall protein or increased NAG excretion. Patients with previous or present reflux nipple problems had elevated excretion of alpha-1-microglobulin. Regular determinations of alpha-1-microglobulin excretion appear to be of value in the follow-up of these patients.

Stabilization of the nipple base with titanium rings when reoperating patients with continent urostomies for nipple dysfunction

Nipple dysfunction in Kock reservoirs used for continent urinary diversion is usually caused by a flattening out of the intestinal nipple due to a lateral tore at the base of the nipple when the reservoir expands. This study describes a new method to repair dysfunctioning nipples based on the use of titanium rings applied outside the reservoir around the base of the nipple. Experiments on dogs and rats have shown that rings and plates of titanium rapidly attach to the serosal surface of ileum exposed to urine with only minor signs of inflammation. Ten patients with Kock reservoirs for urinary diversion have been reoperated for nipple dysfunction due to nipple sliding with elongation of the nipple and fixation of the nipple base with titanium rings. The functional result is excellent in 9 out of the 10 patients. No signs of erosion of the rings into the reservoirs have been noted. With this new method for nipple repair the need for using more intestine to construct a new nipple is eliminated.

Bacteriuria in patients with a continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion does not regularly require antibiotic treatment

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the importance of bacteriuria in patients with a continent urinary diversion.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighteen asymptomatic patients (16 women and two men, with a mean age of 53 years [range 22-73]) with ileal reservoirs coupled to the skin for urinary diversion were studied. Consecutive urine cultures were performed over 5 months. Concomitant measurements of antibody titres against Escherichia coli and Proteus, and C-reactive protein (CRP) values were made.

RESULTS

The results of the urine cultures varied considerably between samples. Increased titres of antibodies against E. coli were seen in several patients but the correlation with bacteriuria caused by E. coli was weak (sensitivity 33%, specificity 56%). Increased titres of antibodies against Proteus were rarely seen and in no patient correlated with bacteriuria caused by Proteus. Increased levels of CRP were seen in three patients.

CONCLUSION

The present results indicate that asymptomatic bacteriuria in patients with a continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion is generally of no clinical importance and should not be treated with antibiotics. This conclusion is based on the observations that the bacterial strains growing in the reservoir changed spontaneously indicating colonization rather than infection. Raised titres of antibodies against E. coli correlated weakly with bacterial growth. The observed elevations in antibody titres were usually just above the normal upper limit.

Influence of pH on reservoir mucosal absorption/-secretion and tubular and glomerular function. Studies in patients with a continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion

Ten patients with a continent ileal reservoir for urinary diversion were studied regarding transmucosal fluxes of water and electrolytes at different pH. The urine was by-passed the reservoir via a Foley catheter. The experiment set-up was designed to exclude urine from reservoir mucosa exposition during the study. Test solutions of pH 4 and pH 7 with electrolytes and a non-absorbable volume marker (PEG MW 4000) were instilled into the empty reservoir. The influence of altered pH on the flow of water and Na,+K+ and Cl- across the reservoir mucosa was analysed. The maximal concentration ability after intranasal desmopressin (Minirin), the creatinine and Na-clearance as well as the fractional Na-excretion were calculated from measurements on the by-passed urine. The results showed a secretion of water, Na+ and Cl- into the reservoir while the K+ content was constant. The mucosal flows of water and electrolytes were not affected by alterations in reservoir pH. Maximal concentration ability appeared to be reduced compared to normals. Fractional Na excretion was within normal limits.

Long saphenous vein saving surgery for varicose veins. A long-term follow-up

The autologous saphenous vein is widely recognised as the graft material of choice in infra-inguinal arterial reconstructions. This study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term results of long saphenous vein saving surgery compared with standard stripping. Forty-two patients with varicose veins were randomly allocated to treatment, either with standard stripping of the long saphenous vein or high ligation. In both groups, local varicosities were avulsed and insufficient perforators ligated, on the basis of physical examination and phlebography. Follow-up was performed 52 +/- 5 months postoperatively. The recurrence rate was 12 and 11% in the stripping and the high ligation group respectively. At follow-up, the venous return time was increased significantly in both groups (P greater than 0.001). Vein mapping by means of high-resolution, real-time ultrasound at follow-up showed that 78% of the preserved saphenous veins were suitable for use as arterial conduits. These results suggest that removal of the long saphenous vein per se is of no therapeutic value if insufficient perforators have been ligated. It is possible to perform elective vein surgery for varicose veins with good results and preserve the long saphenous vein, which in turn can be used for future arterial reconstruction in most cases.