Varicose veins: a clinical profile

Background: The CEAP classification includes classifying varicose veins on the basis of their clinical, etiological, anatomical and pathophysiological classification.Methods: It was a prospective study of 50 patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Kamothe, Maharashtra with varicose veins over a period of 2 years (November 2019 to November 2021). Institute Ethics Committee approval was obtained before start of study. All patients clinically diagnosed of symptomatic or complicated primary lower limb varicose veins with saphenofemoral and/or sapheno-popliteal incompetence with or without perforator incompetence were included. All cases with recurrent varicose veins were excluded. Result was tabulated and analysed at the end of the study using IBM SPSS software.Results: The age group with maximum varicose vein was between 21-30 years and incidence being more common in male population. The majority of the patients had massive varicose veins (C2). Pain was the most frequent presenting symptom. The majority of the study group had both saphenofemoral junction and perforator incompetence. Primary varicose veins are far more common (76%) than secondary and congenital varicose veins.Conclusions: Varicose veins are highly common in the Indian population. The CEAP classification has been a major contributor to advances in the field of varicose veins since its inception, and it has now become universally accepted due to its simplicity and reliability.

Endovascular Laser Therapy versus Open Surgery for the Treatment of Primary Varicose Veins of the Lower Limb

Background Venous drainage of the lower extremities is accomplished by a network of superficial veins connected to the deep veins by small perforator veins. Through a variety of pathophysiological mechanisms, weakness develops in the vein wall that results in varicosity over time. Varicosities typically form in the greater and lesser saphenous veins but also develop in branch vessels. Obstruction of the iliac veins or inferior vena cava can result in extensive varicose veins Objective s: The aim of this work is to compare the outcome of endovascular laser therapy versus open surgery in management of primary varicose veins in lower limb. Patients and Methods Type of study is a prospective, randomized, clinical study. This study was conducted on 30 patients with primary varicose veins of the lower limb, 15 patients were subjected to endovascular laser therapy for treatment of varicose veins of the lower limb (EVLA group) and 15 patients were managed by standard open surgery for treatment of varicose veins of the lower limb (surgery group). The patients were randomized selected from surgery clinic in Eldemerdash Hospital. The work was carried out in the period from June 2017 to December 2018. Results Both groups were well matched regarding age(P = 0.352) and sex (P = 0.713), type of vein diseased(P = 0.913), CEAP classification (P = 0.910) and also regarding BMI (P = 0.761). Regarding preoperative venous clinical severity score, the median(IQR) for group A (surgery group) was (5), and for group B (laser group) was (5) without statistical significant differences between both groups (P value =0.524). Many studies have shown that there was some difference in between two methods of treatment of primary varicose veins of the lower limbs open vascular surgery and endovascular laser therapy. Regarding Six weeks post-operative VCSS assessment, the VCSS score in the surgery group was statistically significantly higher (p < 0.001). However, at one and two years after the intervention The VCSS scores converged and the difference between the groups was no longer statistically significant. Conclusion The presented results show that intreatment of varicose veins with both endovascular laser ablation and open surgery there was improvement in the clinical status of the patient occur after both but EVLA was more effective early which was observed by measuring venous clinical severity score. EVLA show distinct advantages over open surgery especially in post operative pain, analgesia use and time needed to return to work.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF PRIMARY VARICOSE VEINS OF LOWER LIMB IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Introduction: Epidemiological studies plays an important role in providing information on the spectrum and frequency of venous disease distribution in a population. In India, study encompassing the clinical evaluation and surgical management of varicose veins on the conventional lines seems a necessity to improve the quality care with the available resources. We have undertaken an epidemiological study on inuence of age, sex, body mass index, posture on clinical manifestations and complications of varicose veins of lower limbs in patients attending the Department of Vascular Surgery . Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in Department of vascular surgery on patients with primary varicose veins of lower limb. Patients with secondary varicose veins, recurrent varicose veins, patients less than 18 years, deep vein thrombosis& peripheral arterial disease were excluded from the study. Results: In the present study 88.89% of ulcer patients had combined saphenofemoral(SFJ) and perforator incompetence, while 11.11% of ulcer patients had combined saphenofemoral, saphenopopliteal (SPJ)and perforator incompetence.14% patients present with combined SFJ, SPJ and perforator incompetence. The patients with higher CEAP classication had combined SFJ and SPJ valvular incompetence. Most commonly, the disease affected the males in the age group of 40-50 years. Conclusion: The present study shows that prolonged standing , obesity ,increasing age are the common risk factors for development of varicose veins.

Factors affecting D-dimer levels in patients with uncomplicated primary varicose veins

Objectives The diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is hampered in patients with primary varicose veins due to similarity of symptoms of DVT and PVV and elevated levels of D-dimers. The purpose of this study was to analyze factors that influence the D-dimer concentration in patients with PVV in order to redefine its diagnostic value. Methods Forty- one patients with non-complicated PVV were enrolled in the study, in whom D-dimer level was determined by immunoturbidimetric assay. The influence of selected clinical factors on the concentration of D-dimers was determined with univariate and bivariate analysis. Besides descriptive statistics the D-dimers levels were compared to the age -adjusted cutoff values. Results The median concentration of D-dimer was 630.0 ng/ml (440.0-1140.0 ng/ml) and was above the age-adjusted level in 21 (52%) of patients. There was a positive correlation between the patient’s age and and D-dimer concentration (p = 0.035, Spearman correlation coefficient rs=0,33. The bivariate analysis showed a significant interaction between age and weight p=0,02. Conclusions In patients with PVV the diagnostic value of D-dimers is limited especially in older and overweight subjects.

Cellular senescence at the saphenofemoral junction in patients with healthy, primary varicose and recurrent varicose veins – A pilot study

Objectives Cellular senescence could play a role in the development of venous disease. Superficial venous reflux at the saphenofemoral junction is a common finding in patients with primary varicose veins. Furthermore, reflux in this essential area is associated with higher clinical stages of the disease and recurrent varicose veins. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to investigate cellular senescence in the immediate area of the saphenofemoral junction in patients with healthy veins, primary varicose veins and additionally in patients with recurrent varicose veins due to a left venous stump. Methods We analyzed vein specimens of the great saphenous vein immediately at the saphenofemoral junction. Healthy veins were collected from patients who underwent arterial bypass reconstructions. Samples with superficial venous reflux derived from patients who received high ligation and stripping or redo-surgery at the groin, respectively. Sections were stained for p53, p21, and p16 as markers for cellular senescence and Ki67 as a proliferation marker. Results A total of 30 samples were examined (10 healthy, 10 primary varicose, and 10 recurrent varicose veins). We detected 2.10% p53+ nuclei in the healthy vein group, 3.12% in the primary varicose vein group and 1.53% in the recurrent varicose vein group, respectively. These differences were statistically significant ( p = 0.021). In the healthy vein group, we found 0.43% p16+ nuclei. In the primary varicose vein group, we found 0.34% p16+ nuclei, and in the recurrent varicose vein group, we found 0.74% p16+ nuclei. At the p < 0.05 level, the three groups tended to be significant without reaching statistical significance ( p = 0.085). There was no difference in respect of p21 and Ki67. Conclusion We found significantly higher expression rates of p53 in primary varicose veins at the saphenofemoral junction than in healthy veins. p16 expression tended to be increased in the recurrent varicose vein group. These preliminary findings indicate that cellular senescence may have an impact in the development of varicose veins or recurrence. Further studies addressing this issue are necessary.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TRENDELENBURG OPERATION AND TRENDELENBURG OPERATION COMBINED WITH STRIPPING OF LONG SAPHENOUS VEIN IN THE TREATMENT OF PRIMARY VARICOSE VEINS OF LOWER LIMB

Aims And Objectives: To compare the effectiveness, incidence of complications and recurrence after Trendelenburg operation and Trendelenburg operation combined with stripping of the thigh segment of long saphenous vein in the treatment of primary varicose veins of lower limb. Study is based on analysis Material & Methods: of 100 cases of primary varicose veins of long saphenous vein with or without perforator incompetence who got treated by either simple ligation or ligation with stripping of long saphenous vein from at Department of General Surgery, Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad Telangana. After surgery residual long Results: saphenous vein reux was present in 22% cases in the group in which ligation alone was done and residual thigh perforators were identied in 11% of cases whereas in the group which underwent ligation combined with stripping of the thigh segment of long saphenous vein residual reux was present in 6% cases and no residual thigh perforators were identied. The i Conclusion: ncidence of Residual long saphenous vein reex and residual perforator in the thigh is less after ligation and stripping of long saphenous vein compared to Ligation of Saphenofemoral junction alone. The incidence of Nerve palsy and bleeding and hematoma is also not more in the ligation + stripping group compared to ligation alone.

Influence of Superficial Venous Ablation on Deep Venous Dilation and Reflux in Patients With Saphenous Varicose Veins

Background: To investigate the influence of superficial venous ablation on deep venous dilation and reflux in patients with saphenous varicose veins, and to elucidate the association between superficial venous reflux and deep venous morphology and hemodynamics. Methods: The data of 154 patients with 223 limbs, who underwent endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the great saphenous vein for primary varicose veins between September 2014 and March 2016 in Eniwa Midorino Clinic, were retrospectively analyzed. Overall venous hemodynamics of the leg, including functional venous volume (VV) and venous filling index (VFI), was assessed using air-plethysmography. Saphenous and deep vein reflux and diameter were evaluated with duplex scanning. Results: Hemodynamic and morphologic changes were evaluated before and 1 month after RFA. The VV and VFI were significantly decreased in postoperative values than in preoperative values ( P < .001). Limbs with deep venous reflux significantly decreased postoperatively than preoperatively ( P < .001). There were significant differences in the diameter of the common femoral vein (CFV) and popliteal vein (PV) between the preoperative and postoperative values ( P < .001). There were strong to moderate correlations between the VV and the diameter of the CFV or PV (CFV, r = 0.47, P < .001; PV, r = 0.35, P < .001), while there were moderate to weak correlations between the VFI and the diameter of the CFV or PV (CFV, r = 0.23, P < .001; PV, r = 0.33, P <.001). Conclusions: Superficial venous ablation significantly reduced deep venous dilation and reflux in patients with saphenous varicose veins. Significant correlations existed between the VV or VFI, which reflected superficial venous reflux, and the diameter of the deep veins. These findings reveal that volume overload due to superficial venous reflux is associated with deep venous morphology and hemodynamics.