Mean Number Of Incisions Research Articles

Management of the Primary Varicose Veins With Venous Ulceration With Assistance of Endoscopic Surgery

Two hundred sixty-two cases of primary varicose veins in which the lesions extended to the areas of the lower third of the leg and/or the ankle were treated with the assistance of endoscopic surgery. The conditions of varicose veins were classified by the reporting standards in venous disease. The number of cases in lesions of C2, C4, C5, and C6 were 60, 156, 31, and 15, respectively. They were also classified into 4 clinicoanatomic types according to varicositic changes in normal veins. The number of cases in types I, II, III, and IV were 57, 88, 42, and 75, respectively. The incidence of skin changes resulting from varicosity were 100%, 90.5%, 53%, and 50% in types I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The incidence of skin changes in this series was 77.6%. About one fourth of the cases having skin changes progressed to C5 and/or C6 lesions. Early and radical treatment of varicose veins could prevent the occurrence of skin changes and subsequently avoid the incidence of C5 and/or C6 lesions. The mean number of incisions in each limb was 2.9. With good illumination and magnified monitor view, the varicose veins and incompetent perforating veins were radically excised, but the normal veins were preserved. Forty-six cases of C5 and C6 lesions were followed up at least 1 year postoperatively. Four cases were lost from follow-up. In all cases except 1, there has been no recurrence. The conditions of skin changes improved subsequently. The recurrent rate of ulceration was 2.4%. In treatment of primary varicose veins with or without ulceration, surgery with assistance of endoscopic surgery achieved a low recurrence of ulcerations and minimal operative scarring.

Endoscope-assisted management of primary varicose veins below the knee

Objective: Primary varicose veins below the knee were managed with the assistance of endoscopic surgery in 240 limbs (235 cases). Methods: Patients were classified into five clinico-anatomic types according to associated normal veins involved in the varicosities. All procedures were limited to below the knee. With the superior illumination and magnified monitor view offered by the endoscope, all the varicosities and the incompetent perforating veins were dissected, clipped, divided and removed through one or more access incisions (2.5–3.0 cm in length). However, the normal veins were preserved, including the long saphenous vein. Results: The mean number of incisions in each limb of all patients was 1.86. As there were no residual varicosities or incompetent perforating veins, there was little possibility of recurrence. In the follow-up of 218 limbs, recurrence occurred in only two limbs. Conclusion: Endoscope-assisted surgery is a good alternative for management of primary varicose veins below the knee, resulting in low recurrence and aesthetically acceptable surgical scarring.

Endoscope-assisted management of primary varicose veins of the long saphenous vein and its tributaries

Objective: Primary varicose veins of the long saphenous vein and its tributaries were managed in 104 limbs of 101 patients with the assistance of endoscopic surgery. Methods: Patients were divided into four clinico-anatomical types according to normal veins involved in the varicosities. With good illumination and magnified monitor viewing by means of a surgical endoscope, the varicositic trunk, varicositic tributaries, incompetent perforating veins and healthy veins could be clearly visualized and identified. Through two or more access incisions (2.5-3.0 cm in length), the varicose veins were completely dissected, divided and removed. The incompetent perforating veins were clipped and divided. In all cases, the mean number of incisions in each limb was 3.0. Results: The most common cause of morbidity was maceration of the incision wound. Transient numbness may have presented at the dissected area, but there were no signs of injury to the saphenous nerve. Conclusions: There was very little possibility of recurrence, because no residual varicosities or incompetent perforating veins remained after this operation. Recurrence presented in only one case at follow up, three months postoperatively. Patients were satisfied with the minimal surgical scarring and complete absence of disfiguring varicosities in the limb.

Surgery of varicose veins with transilluminated powered mini-phlebectomy: clinical experience

The authors report their experience with a new surgical technique, the transilluminated powered mini-phlebectomy (Trivex' System, Smith & Nephew Inc, Andover, USA), to remove primary varicose veins. There were 70 patients, 50 women and 20 men, with a mean age of 52 ± 9 years. The average operating time was 56 ± 8 min (range 30–75 min). The mean number of incisions was five (range 2–8). The postoperative pain, cosmetic scores and all complications were evaluated prospectively.

Initial experience with minimally invasive in situ bypass procedure with blind valvulotomy.

The in situ vein (ISV) bypass is uniquely suited to technical modifications designed to reduce the wound morbidity of infrainguinal revascularization. A technique of "blind" valvulotomy and selective vein branch ligation was used, and a preliminary study was performed to assess safety and efficacy. From November 1998 to July 2001, all patients for infrainguinal bypass procedures underwent evaluation for inclusion in the study. Thirty-five patients underwent ISV bypass procedures with an expandable, self-centering valvulotome (ESV). Intraoperative selection of veins suitable for the study was assisted with venography and duplex scanning. The ISV bypass procedures were performed with initial groin and distal incisions, with smaller incisions to ligate significant arteriovenous fistulae (AVF). Duplex graft scanning was performed at routine intervals after surgery. Thirty-seven ISV grafts were performed from the common femoral artery to the popliteal (n = 14), tibial (n = 20), and dorsalis pedis (n = 3) arteries. In 35 cases (95%), a full-length incision was avoided. With ESV, all valves in 34 cases (92%) were effectively lysed. Proximal extension of the distal incision was performed in four cases (10.8%). The mean number of incisions per case was 3.1 +/- 1.7. One graft failed within 30 days (2.7%), with successful revision. During the early follow-up period (9.9 +/- 7.3 months; range, 1 to 33 months), 44% of residual AVF closed spontaneously (15 of 34 AVF; 16 patients) and two anastomotic stenoses and two symptomatic AVF were corrected surgically. Four late graft occlusions occurred, with a 1-year cumulative primary patency rate of 77% and a secondary patency rate of 92%. Blind valvulotomy with ESV facilitates safe and effective minimally invasive ISV bypass. Resultant graft patency rates appear comparable with results with open techniques. This preliminary experience warrants further study to refine patient selection criteria and operative technique and to better clarify the natural history of residual AVF.

Endoscope-assisted management of varicose veins in the posterior thigh, popliteal fossa, and calf area.

Varicose veins of the posterior thigh, popliteal fossa, and calf area were managed with the assistance of endoscopic surgery in 136 patients. Patients were divided into four types according to the normal veins involved in varicosities. With good illumination and magnified monitor viewing by means of a surgical endoscope, the main channel, tributaries of varicosities, incompetent perforating veins, and healthy veins could be clearly visualized and identified. Even though these varicosities had aberrant and tortuous courses, they could be completely dissected, divided, and then removed through one or more access incisions (2.5-3.0 cm in length). The incompetent perforating veins were also dissected and divided. The mean number of access incisions for each lower extremity was 2.2, 1.9, 1.3, and 1.0 for types I, II, III, and IV respectively. In all cases, the mean number of incisions was 1.6 in each lower limb. The most frequent morbidity was maceration of the access incision. Three wounds in 3 patients required debridement and resuturing, but the other wounds healed satisfactorily. Transient discoloration caused by bruising and numbness may present at the dissected area. There was no hematoma formation. Ischemic change with bleb formation of the dissected skin occurred in 1 patient. Subsequent secondary healing resulted in slight scarring in this area. With the assistance of endoscopic surgery, all the varicosities and the incompetent perforating veins could be completely dissected and removed. Accomplishment of removal of varicosities was double-checked between the preoperative skin marks of varicosities and the endoscopic findings. There is very little possibility for recurrence, because there were no residual varicosities or incompetent perforating veins after this operation. There was no recurrence in follow-up at least 2 months postoperatively. Patients were satisfied with the minimal surgical scarring and the complete absence of disfiguring varicosities.

Endovascular in situ bypass decreases morbidity and hospital stay following infrainguinal arterial reconstruction.

To report the early results of endovascular in situ saphenous vein bypass (EISVB) using side branch coil occlusion. Between September 1997 and November 1998, 25 patients (15 men; mean age 70.9 years, range 53-85) with lower limb ischemia were treated with endovascular femorodistal bypass. The saphenous vein was prepared using retrograde valvulotomy and endoscopic cannulation with coil occlusion of the side branches. Duplex graft surveillance was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The 25 EISVB procedures consisted of 15 femorodistal popliteal, 7 femorotibial, 2 femoroperoneal, and 1 femorodorsalis pedis in situ saphenous vein reconstructions. Mean operative time was 202 +/- 40 minutes, mean number of side branch coils per case was 5.1 +/- 1.3, and mean number of incisions per case was 2.9 +/- 0.6. Mean hospital length of stay (LOS) was 35 +/- 13 hours (1.4 +/- 0.6 days); 19 (76%) patients were discharged on the first postoperative day. Short-term follow-up (mean 6.2 months, range 2-15) was notable for 2 graft thromboses and 1 graft stenosis; primary and secondary patency rates were 88% and 92%, respectively. Three asymptomatic, persistent arteriovenous fistulas discovered on routine duplex were ligated in the outpatient setting. Only 1 (4%) minor wound complication was encountered. EISVB provides early patency comparable to conventional in situ infrainguinal bypass. Its distinct advantages, however, are the ability to minimize incision length with resultant reductions in wound-related complications, hospital LOS, and recovery time. EISVB promises to be a useful adjunct in the approach to peripheral vascular insufficiency.

Endoscope-Assisted Correction of Primary Varicose Veins

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the possibilities and results of application of endoscopic surgery in the operation of primary varicose veins. With good illumination and magnified viewing, the varicosities, incompetent perforating veins, and healthy veins were clearly visualized. The incompetent perforating veins were clipped and divided securely. The varicose veins and tributaries were dissected and removed completely after being clipped and divided. The healthy veins were preserved if possible. Primary varicose veins in 43 limbs of 37 patients were operated. The operation was conducted through one access incision in 31 limbs (72%), two incisions in 11 limbs (25%), and three incisions in 1 limb. The mean number of incisions was 1.3 in each limb. Hematoma formation occurred in 1 patient due to the slipping of one clip on the third postoperative day. The other patients had uneventful postoperative courses. All 37 patients were reviewed 4 to 30 months postoperatively. Only one limb had recurrent varices at a new site. Ninety-seven percent of limbs (42 of 43) had no recurrence of varicose veins. Seventy-eight percent of patients (29 of 37) were extremely pleased with this operation. Although the other 22% of patients (8 of 37) appreciated this operation, they were not completely satisfied because some preoperative complaints persisted. In this series, the recurrent rate of varicose veins was low (1 in 43 limbs) and postoperative scarring was minimized, in addition to the advantages of endoscopic surgery. These results demonstrate that endoscopic surgery is a worthy alternative procedure for correcting primary varicose veins.