Plication of the Sapheno–Femoral Junction: Effects on Incompetence after Two Years

1991 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni V. Belcaro

Plication of the long saphenous vein at the sapheno–femoral junction (SFJ) is an alternative to flush ligation and stripping. This technique abolishes reflux at the SFJ without altering the vein; this may then be used for arterial surgery or coronary artery grafting. Candidates for plication were selected on the basis of ambulatory venous pressure measurements and duplex scanning. These tests indicate and quantify the degree of superficial venous incompetence. Plication of the SFJ reduces the calibre of the vein to 60–70% for a length of 1.5 cm, allowing the value cusps to close when flow in the femoral vein is reversed. In this study 20 limbs were evaluated (in 20 patients) 6, 12 and 24 months after plication. Venous reflux was significantly reduced and there was an improvement in signs and symptoms. Thus, SFJ plication seems to be an effective physiological alternative to flush ligation in some subjects. However, long-term results (> 5 years) must be still evaluated.

VASA ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Weber ◽  
J. Lambrecht

Background: The incidence of varicosis of the anterior side branch of the long saphenous vein clinically ranges about 8 to 10% of descending venous decompensation, originating at the level of the thigh. Its incidence in women showing significant overweight is clearly pronounced. Mostly torturous and enlarged varicosed segments of the accessorial lateral saphenous vein can be seen clinically crossing the anterior middle of the thigh. The indications for surgical radical extirpation of the entire varicosed side branch depends from pain, phlebitic complications, peripheral venous dysfunction including cosmetic aspects. Patients: In a clientel of 138 patients (females: 114, males: 24) the phlebographic demonstration of the entire recirculation pathways was performed prior to surgery. Results: Ascending leg phlebography was found sufficient in 7.7% of cases only. Combined with varicography however, in further 90,7% of patients a clear demonstration of the upper and lower points of venous insufficiency was possible. The extent of functional disorders was calculated by additional peripheral venous pressure measurements. Conclusions: This clientel clearly shows that long-term reflux via the varicosed side branch increases the tendency of peripheral functional decompensation along the lower leg. Adequate surgical therapy depends from a clear demonstration of the varicosed veins beeing involved, and this can be realized by combined phlebography and varicography.


1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 132-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Somjen ◽  
J. Donlan ◽  
J. Hurse ◽  
J. Bartholomew ◽  
A. H. Johnston ◽  
...  

Objectives: To clarify reflux patterns in the sapheno-femoral junction in legs with varicose veins that display incompetence in the proximal long saphenous vein on duplex scan examination. Patients and method: One hundred consecutive extremities were selected for ultrasound studies. Venous reflux was examined in the common femoral vein and long saphenous vein at five selected levels in the vicinity of the sapheno-femoral junction. Results: Duplex ultrasound examination confirmed that in 44 extremities reflux was detectable both in the long saphenous vein and common femoral vein indicating ‘true’ sapheno-femoral incompetence. In 56 legs reflux was limited to the long saphenous vein, whilst the first saphenous valve remained competent. The ultrasound examination suggested that in these cases the reflux originated from the numerous tributaries of the proximal long saphenous vein. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the transfascial escape (reflux from the deep veins) is not a necessary precondition of long saphenous vein incompetence and related varicose veins.


1994 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Hideo NAGAOKA ◽  
Ryuichi INNAMI ◽  
Kazunobu HIROOKA ◽  
Masahiro OHNUKI ◽  
Naoya FUNAKOSHI ◽  
...  

VASA ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cestmir Recek ◽  
Pojer

Background: Neovascularization is an important cause of venous reflux recurrence after high ligation of the long saphenous vein. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon is so far obscure. It is possible that a hemodynamic factor – a pressure gradient between the femoral vein and the residual long saphenous vein – could be the trigger initiating the process of neovascularization. Patients and methods: Venous pressure measurements on eight patients with primary varicose veins were performed in the erect position in the insufficient long saphenous vein on the thigh. Mean pressures in the quiet standing position and ambulatory pressures were considered. By interrupting the saphenous reflux either distally or proximally to the point of measurement the pressure conditions either in the femoral or in the crural veins were simulated. Results: With the tourniquet placed distally to the point of measurement, the venous pressure in the upper interrupted segment of the long saphenous vein (equivalent to the pressure in the femoral vein) remained uninfluenced during ambulation. In contrast, by interrupting the reflux proximally to the point of measurement, a marked decrease of the ambulatory pressure in the lower part of the long saphenous vein (equivalent to the pressure in the crural veins) was noted. Conclusions: A pressure difference occurs between the veins of the thigh and the lower leg during the activation of the muscle venous pump. This fact may explain the tendency of recurrencies of varicose veins after high ligation of the long saphenous vein as well as the initiation of reflux.


VASA ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 292-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Recek

Pressure differences play an important role in the hemodynamics of both arterial and venous circulation. Venous ambulatory pressure gradient of about 35 mm Hg arises during the activity of the calf muscle venous pump between the veins in the thigh and the lower leg; this is the initiator launching venous reflux in varicose vein patients. The hemodynamic consequence of venous reflux is interference with the physiological decrease in venous pressure in the lower leg and foot and the occurrence of ambulatory venous hypertension, the degree of which depends on the magnitude of refluxing blood. Pressure difference occurring between the femoral vein and the remnant of great saphenous vein after high ligation or crossectomy during calf pump activity may be the activator of the process leading to the building of new venous communicating channels, the consequence of which is recurrent reflux. Neovascularization is apparently triggered by this hemodynamic factor, not by the surgical procedure itself, because neovascularization does not occur after harvesting of the great saphenous vein in the groin in people without varicose veins. Venous pressure potentials developing in the lower leg during the calf pump activity force the blood to flow from deep into superficial veins during muscle contraction and in the opposite direction during muscle relaxation. An untoward event caused by venous pressure difference is presented - spontaneous bypassing of a competent valve in the saphenous remnant after crossectomy, which converted a favourable hemodynamic situation into a harmful one. Possible explanation of this undesirable event is offered.


1990 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Almgren

This investigation was undertaken to study non-thrombotic deep venous insufficiency (DVI) in patients with varicose veins or other venous symptoms. Deep venous reflux was observed in 3.5% of the ‘normal’ limbs in patients with unilateral varicose veins. A high incidence of reflux was found in limbs with untreated (21%, P < 0.001) and with recurrent varicose veins (43%, P < 0.001) compared with that in ‘normal’ limbs. Among patients with non-thrombotic DVI the most common patterns were isolated reflux in the superficial femoral vein (51%), and combined reflux in the superficial and deep femoral veins (44%). Isolated reflux in the deep femoral vein occured in 5%. Complete visualization of the deep femoral vein is a new diagnostic sign that strongly correlates ( P < 0.001) with reflux in this vein. femoropopliteal and isolated popliteal reflux caused abnormal venous pressure values even in asymptomatic patients. Incompetence of calf perforators strongly influenced these values. Varicose vein surgery in limbs with a strong calf muscle pump resulted in significant improvement in venous pressure. The long-term results of valvuloplasty were good in 67% of the extremities. A significant improvement in venous pressure was observed in limbs with competent deep femoral vein valves, which suggests that the functional state of this vein is of great haemodynamic importance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Puricelli Faccini ◽  
Claudia Carvalho Sathler-Melo

Abstract Most patients with chronic venous disease (CVD) and reflux in the saphenous vein are treated with saphenous stripping or ablation. The venous hemodynamics approach offers the possibility of treating saphenous reflux without eliminating the saphenous vein. We present 2 cases in which venous reflux was eliminated while preserving the great saphenous vein, after treatment with hemodynamic sclerotherapy using a protocol of synergic use of Dextrose and long pulse Nd YAG 1064 laser. These cases show that treating the tributaries responsible for saphenous reflux can correct hemodynamic imbalances and restore normal flow in the great saphenous vein with improvements in symptoms and esthetics. Long-term results are still uncertain.


1986 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Neglén ◽  
Eibert Einarsson ◽  
Bo Eklöf

The long-term results after treatment of primary varicose veins with a combination of compression sclerotherapy (CST) and high tie of the incompetent long saphenous vein were studied. Sixty-three legs in 60 patients were operated on. Subjective (by the patient), objective (by the surgeon) and functional (by foot volumetry) assessments were performed just after treatment, 6 months and 1, 3 and 5 years later. The immediate subjective results were excellent but objectively 21% of the patients still had residual varicosities. After 5 years 50% were subjectively well but only 16% of the legs were objectively cured. Among the foot volumetric parameters the expelled volume (EV; ml) and refilling flow/relative expelled volume ratio (Q/EVrel; min−1) best reflected the functional state. Mean EV increase was 56% after treatment but only 16% after 5 years. Q/EVrel normalized initially but deteriorated after 1 year. No significant improvement in any parameter was observed after 5 years. CST combined with high tie cannot replace surgery in patients with main stem insufficiency. The results emphasize the importance in following these patients for at least 5 years. On the whole, functional evaluation with foot volumetry was valuable to assess groups but could not replace the examination of individual patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Bhuvaneswari Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Joesph Zacharias ◽  
William R. Critchley ◽  
Melissa Rochon ◽  
Iryna Stalpinskaya ◽  
...  

Background: Utilisation of the Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH) technique has been increasing for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for the last two decades. Some surgeons remain concerned about the long-term patency of the long saphenous vein harvested endoscopically compared to traditional Open Vein Harvesting (OVH). The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of the outcomes between EVH and OVH from three UK centres with 10 years follow-up. Methods: 27,024 patients underwent CABG with long saphenous vein harvested by EVH (n=13,794) or OVH (n=13,230) in three UK centres between 2007 and 2019. Propensity modelling was used to calculate the Inverse Probability of Treatment Weights (IPTW). The primary endpoint was mortality from all causes and secondary endpoints were length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and incidence of repeat coronary re-vascularisation for symptomatic patients. IPTW was used to balance the two intervention groups for baseline and preoperative co-morbidities. Results: Median follow-up time was 4.54 years for EVH and 6.00 years for OVH. Death from any cause occurred in 13.8% of the EVH group versus 20.8% in the OVH group over the follow-up period. The hazard ratio of death (EVH to OVH) was 0.823 (95% CI: 0.767, 0.884). Length of hospital stay was similar between the groups (p=0.86). Post-operative pulmonary complications were more common in EVH vs OVH (14.7% vs. 12.8%, p<0.001), but repeat coronary re-vascularisation was similar between the groups. Conclusion: This large retrospective multicentre analysis indicates that EVH has a lower risk of mortality compared with OVH during the follow-up period of the study. The observed benefits of EVH may outweigh the risks but should be considered on a case-by-case basis. We hope this review gives confidence to other cardiac centres that offering an EVH approach to conduit harvesting does not affect long term patient outcomes.


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