Preoperative Duplex Examination Research Articles

Late follow-up of a randomized trial of routine duplex imaging before varicose vein surgery

Routine preoperative duplex examination led to an improvement in results 2 years after surgery for primary varicose veins. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative duplex imaging after 7 years, in relation to other risk factors for varicose vein recurrence. Patients with primary varicose veins were randomized to operation with (group 1), or without (group 2) preoperative duplex imaging. The same patients were invited to attend follow-up with interview, clinical examination and duplex imaging. Quality of life (QoL) was measured with the Short Form 36 questionnaire. Some 293 patients (343 legs) were included initially; after 7 years 227 were interviewed, or their records reviewed: 114 in group 1 and 113 in group 2. One hundred and ninety-four legs (95 in group 1 and 99 in group 2) were examined clinically and with duplex imaging. Incompetence was seen at the saphenofemoral junction and/or saphenopopliteal junction in 14 per cent of legs in group 1 and 46 per cent in group 2 (P < 0.001). QoL was similar in both groups. After a mean follow-up of 7 years (and including patients who underwent surgery after the review), 15 legs in group 1 needed reoperation and 38 in group 2 (P = 0.001). Routine preoperative duplex imaging improved the results of surgery for primary varicose veins for at least 7 years.

Great saphenous vein stripping with preservation of sapheno-femoral confluence: Hemodynamic and clinical results

Radiofrequency and laser vein treatment, which entail preservation of the saphenous confluence, have called into question the dogma of ligation of all tributaries at the sapheno-femoral confluence (SFC), so called "crossectomy". Nevertheless, crossectomy is still done when saphenous vein stripping is chosen for varicose vein treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate results after stripping procedures in which the SFC was preserved. This was a retrospective cohort study for which limbs treated for varicose veins by surgical stripping of the great saphenous vein and preservation of the SFC were studied. All limbs had a preoperative duplex examination and showed SFC and truncal incompetence of the great saphenous vein. Periodic postoperative standing duplex ultrasound and clinical examinations were carried out, and results were recorded and analyzed retrospectively. A total of 195 lower limbs were operated on in 151 patients (128 women and 25 men) aged from 22 to 88 years (mean age 56.8). The preoperative diameter of the SFC ranged from 4.7 to 17 mm (mean 9.5 mm). The preoperative CEAP class distribution was C1 1.5%, C2 82.1%, C3 6.7%, and C4-C6 9.7%. Preoperative symptoms were present in 61.8% of cases. Postoperative thrombosis of the SFC was observed in one case with an extension to the deep femoral vein and pulmonary embolization at 1 month. Recovery was complete. At a mean of 24.4 months postoperatively (median 27.3 months, range 8 to 34.8), persistent SFC reflux was observed in only two cases (1.8%) and a SFC neovascularization in one case (0.9%). Recurrence of varicose veins appeared in seven cases (6.3%) but in conjunction with SFC reflux in only one case. Post treatment 83.9% of limbs were converted to CEAP clinical class 0 to 1 and significant symptom improvement was observed in 91.3% of cases with an aesthetic benefit in 95.5%. Preservation of the SFC during saphenous stripping gave good results with regard to hemodynamics and neovascularization on the SFC, varicose vein recurrence, improvement of symptoms, and aesthetic appearance for legs with a median follow-up of 27.3 months.

Accelerated increase of arteriovenous fistula use in haemodialysis centres: results of the multicentre CIMINO initiative

In the Netherlands, arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are used in 60-65% of the haemodialysis patients and this compares poorly with the European average. A multicentre guidelines implementation programme, CIMINO, was initiated aiming at increasing the use of AVFs. Physicians and dialysis staff in 11 participating centres (N=1092 vascular accesses) were strongly and repeatedly advised to adhere to current guidelines with extra attention for pre-operative duplex examination and salvaging of failing and failed fistulae. Specially appointed access nurses prospectively registered all created vascular accesses using an internet-linked database. In 22 other centres (N=1566 accesses), the CIMINO programme was not offered and they were considered the control group. On 1 January 2006, average follow-up time of the CIMINO group and the control group were 13.3 months and 34.1 months, respectively. A total of 598 new vascular accesses (77% AVFs) were created in the CIMINO group. Prevalent AVF use increased from 58.5% (range: 31-79%) to 62.7% (range: 45-83%) in the CIMINO group and from 65.5% (range: 31-91%) to 67.3% (range: 42-91%) in the control group. The increase in AVF use per year was significantly quicker than in the control group (P<0.05). Use of untunnelled catheters decreased whereas that of tunnelled catheters increased. This initiative shows that a multicentre guidelines implementation programme results in an accelerated increase of AVF use in comparison with a time control group. These data suggest that the choice of access placement depends predominantly on centre-specific factors.

Hospital specific aspects predominantly determine primary failure of hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas

Primary failure of the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a major problem affecting native hemodialysis access use. A multicenter guideline implementation program, Care Improvement by Multidisciplinary approach for Increase of Native vascular access Obtainment (CIMINO), was designed to identify modifiable and nonmodifiable factors involved in the early functionality of the AVF. Physicians and dialysis staff in 11 centers in the Netherlands (N = 1092 prevalent vascular accesses) were strongly and repeatedly advised to adhere to current guidelines. It was advised to always perform a standard preoperative duplex examination and physicians were encouraged to attempt salvaging procedures for failing and failed fistulae. Specially appointed access nurses prospectively registered all created vascular accesses in an internet-linked database. Primary failure (PF) was defined as a complication of the AVF before the first successful cannulation for hemodialysis treatment. Modifiable and nonmodifiable factors were related to risk of primary failure using logistic regression models. We restricted the analyses to the first AVF of each patient that was placed during the observation period. Between May 2004 and May 2006, an AVF was created in 395 patients. Primary failure occurred in one third (131 cases). Factors related to an increased risk of primary failure were female gender (odds ratio (OR): 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.94), renal replacement therapy prior to AVF placement (OR: 1.19 per year on RRT, CI: 1.05-1.34), diabetes mellitus (OR: 3.08, CI: 1.53-6.20), and AVF placement at the wrist (compared with elbow) (OR: 1.86, CI: 1.03-3.36). Primary failure rate among the participating centers varied from 8% to 50%. Compared to the two centers with the lowest primary failure rates, six centers had a significantly higher primary failure rate. Adjustment for risk factors and surgery-related factors did not materially change the center-related findings. In conclusion, we have identified location of AVF placement as a modifiable factor influencing primary failure risk. More importantly, this study shows that the probability of primary failure is strongly related to the center of access creation, suggesting an important role for the vascular surgeon's skills and decisions.

Cost consequences of preoperative duplex examination before varicose vein surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives: To investigate the cost consequences of the addition of a duplex scan to the routine clinical examination prior to surgery for varicose veins (VV). Methods: Cost data are based on a prospective study, which randomized 293 VV patients for surgery either with or without a preoperative duplex scan. Costs are collected during a two-year follow-up time and include direct costs for primary surgery and reoperation. Results: The mean cost for the primary operation was SEK 12,827 (€1410) in the duplex group and SEK 9856 (€1083) in the control group ( P&lt;0.001). A significant part of this increase was due to more extensive primary surgery. Costs for redo surgery decreased by SEK 1131 (€124) ( P = 0.011). The mean net cost increase because of duplex is estimated to be SEK 1840 (€202) ( P&lt;0.003). Conclusion: The savings in costs for redo surgery did not offset the costs for preoperative duplex examination before VV surgery during a two-year follow-up period.

Service Comparison between Vascular and General Surgery in the Treatment of Chronic Venous Insufficiency with Special Reference to Preoperative Doppler Techniques

To compare the ability of vascular and general surgical services to abolish reflux in superficial venous system with a special reference to preoperative use of Doppler techniques. 68 lower limbs operated on for venous insufficiency based on either preoperative Duplex evaluation and Doppler marking in a vascular surgical unit (Vascular Surgical Service, VSS: 33 limbs, clinical class C2-C6) or clinical findings in a general surgical unit (General Surgical Service, GSS: 35 limbs, clinical class C2-C4) were re-examined clinically and with duplex scanning for reflux some three years postoperatively. Marked superficial or perforator vein reflux was observed in 27 of 68 (39.7 %) operated limbs, thirteen of which in VSS and fourteen in GSS. However, axial reflux at saphenofemoral or thigh level was observed significantly less in VSS compared to GSS (3 vs 13, p = 0,006). Total ablation of any reflux appeared difficult irrespective of the preoperative assessment. Preoperative Duplex examination, however, aided in identifying and treating axial reflux at thigh level.

Randomized clinical trial of routine preoperative duplex imaging before varicose vein surgery

Duplex imaging is used increasingly for preoperative evaluation of varicose veins, but its value in terms of the long-term results of surgery is not clear. Patients with primary varicose veins were randomized to operation with or without preoperative duplex imaging. Reoperation rates, clinical and duplex findings were compared at 2 months and 2 years after surgery. Two hundred and ninety-three patients (343 legs) had varicose vein surgery after duplex imaging (group 1; 166 legs) or no imaging (group 2; 177 legs). In 44 legs (26.5 per cent), duplex examination suggested a different surgical procedure than had been considered on clinical grounds; the procedure was changed accordingly for 29 legs. At 2 months, incompetence was detected at the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction (or both) in 14 legs (8.8 per cent) in group 1 and in 44 legs (26.5 per cent) in group 2 (P < 0.001). At 2 years, two legs (1.4 per cent) had undergone or were awaiting reoperation in group 1, and 14 legs (9.5 per cent) in group 2 (P = 0.002). In the remainder, major incompetence was found in 19 legs (15.0 per cent) in group 1 and in 53 (41.1 per cent) in group 2 (P < 0.001). Routine preoperative duplex examination led to an improvement in results 2 years after surgery for patients with primary varicose veins.

The preoperative duplex examination.

Duplex evaluation of varicose veins has been described since 1986, but is still not used as routine examination prior to surgery. To illustrate the importance of preoperative duplex varicose vein scan for the selection of operation and as a guide to surgery. Illustration of varicose patterns and anatomical details provided by duplex but difficult or impossible to obtain by other means. Routine preoperative duplex evaluation is mandatory if varicose vein surgery is to be done on patients with accurate diagnosis.

Efficacy of subfascial endoscopy in eradicating perforating veins of the lower leg and its relation with venous ulcer healing.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of subfascial endoscopy by use of a mediastinoscope in the identification and ligation of incompetent perforating veins in patients with venous ulceration of the lower leg. All patients who underwent subfascial endoscopy for venous ulceration between Jan. 1, 1994, and Mar. 1, 1995, at the Sint Franciscus Gasthuis in Rotterdam underwent duplex ultrasound scans of the lower leg before and 6 weeks after operation. The number and localization of the perforating veins on the mediodorsal side were compared with the findings during subfascial endoscopy. In 20 patients, preoperative duplex examination showed 46 incompetent and six competent perforating veins. During operation the site of 43 incompetent and all competent perforating veins was confirmed. Five additional perforating veins were found at operation (false-negatives). Postoperative duplex ultrasound scans showed six incompetent perforating veins (four persisting and two recurring perforating veins) in four patients, of which the ulcers did not heal in three. The ulcers of the other 17 patients healed. Subfascial endoscopy is an efficient technique in identifying incompetent perforating veins in patients with chronic ulceration of the lower leg. The persistence of incompetent perforating veins is related to failure of ulcer healing.

The clinical relevance of measuring urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) questioned: M. van Agteren 1, H.S.L.M. Tjen 1, J.W. Janssen 2. Departments of Internal Medicine 1 and Clinical Chemistry 2, Sint Franciscus Gasthuis, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of subfascial endoscopy by use of a mediastinoscope in the identification and ligation of incompetent perforating veins in patients with venous ulceration of the lower leg.Methods: All patients who underwent subfascial endoscopy for venous ulceration between Jan. 1, 1994, and Mar. 1, 1995, at the Sint Franciscus Gasthuis in Rotterdam underwent duplex ultrasound scans of the lower leg before and 6 weeks after operation. The number and localization of the perforating veins on the mediodorsal side were compared with the findings during subfascial endoscopy.Results: In 20 patients, preoperative duplex examination showed 46 incompetent and six competent perforating veins. During operation the site of 43 incompetent and all competent perforating veins was confirmed. Five additional perforating veins were found at operation (false-negatives). Postoperative duplex ultrasound scans showed six incompetent perforating veins (four persisting and two recurring perforating veins) in four patients, of which the ulcers did not heal in three. The ulcers of the other 17 patients healed.Conclusions: Subfascial endoscopy is an efficient technique in identifying incompetent perforating veins in patients with chronic ulceration of the lower leg. The persistence of incompetent perforating veins is related to failure of ulcer healing. (J Vasc Surg 1997 26:255-9.)