Benefit in physical function and quality of life to nonsurgical treatment of varicose veins: Pilot study

BACKGROUND Studies on varicose veins have focused its effects on physical function;however,whether nonsurgical treatments alter muscle oxygenation or physical function remains unclear.Moreover,the differences in such functions between individuals with varicose veins and healthy individuals remain unclear.AIM To investigate changes in physical function and the quality of life(QOL)following nonsurgical treatment of patients with varicose veins and determine the changes in their muscle oxygenation during activity.METHODS We enrolled 37 participants(those with varicose veins,n=17;healthy individuals,n=20).We performed the following measurements pre-and post-nonsurgical treatment in the varicose vein patients and healthy individuals:Calf muscle oxygenation during the two-minute step test,open eyes one-leg stance,30 s sit-to-stand test,visual analog scale(VAS)for pain,Pittsburgh sleep quality index,physical activity assessment,and QOL assessment.RESULTS Varicose veins patients and healthy individuals differ in most variables(physical function,sleep quality,and QOL).Varicose veins patients showed significant differences between pre-and post-nonsurgical treatment—results in the 30 sit-to-stand test[14.41(2.45)to 16.35(4.11),P=0.018],two-minute step test[162.29(25.98)to 170.65(23.80),P=0.037],VAS for pain[5.35(1.90)to 3.88(1.73),P=0.004],and QOL[39.34(19.98)to 26.69(17.02),P=0.005];however,no significant difference was observed for muscle oxygenation.CONCLUSION Nonsurgical treatment improved lower extremity function and QOL in varicose veins patients,bringing their condition close to that of healthy individuals.Future studies should include patients with severe varicose veins requiring surgery to confirm our findings.

Phlebosclerosis: An overlooked complication of varicose veins that affects clinical outcome: A case report

BACKGROUND Phlebosclerosis is a common age-related fibrotic degeneration of the venous wall.It is a disorder rather than a disease,which may cause venous dysfunction and even venous thrombosis.It is rarely reported in patients with varicose veins.CASE SUMMARY The present report describes the case of a 70-year-old man with varicose veins,vitiligo,and phlebosclerosis.Venous angiography revealed blood reflux in the superficial and deep veins.The patient underwent surgery to remove the saphe-nous veins.During the operation,a calcified vein resembling a wooden stick was found,which was surprisingly extracted from the thickened venous wall.A cross-section of this wooden stick-like vein revealed venous fibrosis and calcification,obvious thickening of the venous wall,extensive collagen deposition on the venous wall,hyaline degeneration,and venous sclerosis causing closure of the venous lumen.CONCLUSION This is probably the first report of a wooden stick-like structure being found in the venous wall in patients with varicose veins and venous ulcers.Phlebosclerosis can be observed in the late stage of varicose veins complicated by frequent infections and worse clinical outcomes.Therefore,it is important to be aware of this condition and address it rather than overlook it.

Strategies and challenges in treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency

Patients with varicose veins can be treated with conservative or surgical approaches based on the clinical conditions and patient preferences.In the recent decade,the recommendations for managing symptomatic varicose veins have changed dramatically due to the rise of minimally invasive endovascular techniques.The literature was systematically searched on Medline without language restrictions.All papers on the treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency with different procedures were included and reviewed.Endovenous laser ablation(EVLA)and radiofrequency ablation(RFA)both are same safe and effective in terms of occlusion rate,and time to return to normal activity.In comparison with RFA or EVLT,Cure conservatrice et Hemodynamique de l’Insufficience Veineuse en Ambulatoire(CHIVA)may cause more bruising and make little or no difference to rates of limb infection,superficial vein thrombosis,nerve injury,or hematoma.In terms of recurrence of varicose veins,there is little or no difference between CHIVA and stripping,RFA,or EVLT.Great saphenous vein recanalization is highest in the ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy(FS)group(51%)during 1 year of follow-up.The 2013 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guidelines recommend surgery as a third-line therapeutic option after EVLA or RFA and sclerotherapy.Although the mechanochemical endovenous ablation(MOCA)is a non-thermal,non-tumescent option and appears to be of similar efficacy to stab avulsion with no potential risk of nerve damage,the overall success rate of MOCA is lower than those of other procedures such as EVLA,RFA,or high ligation and stripping.EVLA is the most cost-effective therapeutic option,with RFA being a close second for the treatment of patients with varicose veins.Endovenous thermal ablation(EVLA or RFA)is recommended as a first-line treatment for varicose veins and has substituted the high ligation of saphenofemoral junctional reflux and stripping of varicose veins.Ultrasound-guided FS is associated with a high recurrence rate and can be used in conjunction with other procedures.MOCA and cyanoacrylate embolization appear promising,but evidence of their effectiveness is required.

Combined subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery and endovenous laser treatment without impact on the great saphenous vein for management of lower-extremity varicose veins

Background Conventional high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein （GSV） has a good curative effect but is highly traumatic with a considerable relapse rate. Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery （SEPS） plus endovenous laser treatment （EVLT） could be applied as individual therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of performing combined SEPS and EVLT without impacting GSV in the management of valvular insufficiency of the lower-limb venous perforators. Methods Placement of lower-limb venous perforator insufficiency was marked by ascending phlebography in 83 affected limbs from September 2010 to June 2011. After randomization, SEPS was performed on 41 limbs to address the insufficiency of the venous perforators under the deep fascia, in combination with EVLT to close the superficial varicose veins without impacting the GSV. The remaining 42 limbs were treated using traditional GSV phlebectomy as controls. Results Postoperatively, all varicose veins were resolved, with lightening of the pigmentation and healing of the ulcer. Within a follow-up period of 5-11 months, no symptoms had recurred. Compared with the control group, the operation time, the number of incisions sutured, and the in-hospital time decreased on average by 1.5 hours, 4.7, and 6.8 days, respectively （P 〈0.01 in all cases）. Conclusion Combined SEPS and EVLT for treatment of valvular insufficiency of the lower-limb venous perforators offer the advantages of microtrauma and rapid cure.

Successful liver allograft inflow reconstruction with the right gastroepiploic vein

Portal vein thrombosis is a common complica- tion in cirrhotic patients. When portal vein thrombectomy is not a suitable option, a large collateral vessel can be used for allograft venous inflow reconstruction. We describe an unusu- al case of successful portal revascularization using the right gastroepiploic vein. The patient underwent a cadaveric or- thotropic liver transplantation with end-to-end anastomosis of the portal vein to the right gastroepiploic vein. Six months after liver transplantation the patient is well with good liver function. The use of the right gastroepiploic vein for allograft venous reconstruction is feasible and safe, with a great advan- tage of avoiding the need of venous jump graft.