Closure of perforator veins with glue. Early results.
AIM. With the introduction of endovenous varicose vein surgery, the closure of perforator veins has become easier to perform. There were several complications with classical perforator vein interruption surgery, which could be avoided with these new techniques. Perforator vein interruption is recommended mainly for the treatment of severe CVI but we performed our study on primary varicose vein cases. PATIENTS. 252 perforator veins were treated in CEAP C2-3-4-5 limbs. Glue was not used in open legs (C6) to avoid contamination of a permanently remaining foreign material. METHOD. Insufficient perforator veins were found with US examination. Direct puncture was performed and 0.1-0.5 ml (mean 0.28 ml) VenaBlock was given according to the diameter of the vein. This superglue-like material solidifies in 2-5 seconds, so injection must be performed quickly. RESULTS. In US check-ups 84.9 % of perforator veins were closed. Although 15.1 % remained open only in 10.3 % of them was refluxive. We did not find any complications or side effects. CONCLUSIONS. We support the opinion of other colleagues that glue is suitable for occluding perforator veins. Its usage is easier than non-endovenous methods. It contributed to the elimination of varicose veins, but to judge its real value, a longer observational period is necessary. There were no signs of inflammatory or granulomatous complications in any case.