Light reflection rheography and clinical course of patients with advanced venous disease before and after endoscopic subfascial division of perforating veins.

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic subfascial division of perforating veins (ESDP) has been shown to cause fewer surgical complications than classic techniques.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of ESDP based on patients' symptoms, rheographic data, and ulcer healing.

METHODS

Thirty-two subsequent patients underwent 40 ESDP procedures. Fifteen limbs presented with a postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), and 16 cases had an active venous ulcer. Data were recorded before and 2 months after ESDP. Stripping or high ligation procedures had been previously performed.

RESULTS

The symptoms of pain and edema improved in 80% (PTS) and 74% (venous ulcer) of patients. Only one case did not show improvement of either pain or edema. Fifty-eight percent of patients showed hemodynamic improvement by light reflection rheography (LRR), while 32% did not change and 10% of patients had a worsened LRR after ESDP. The LRR refilling times increased by a median factor of 1.69, reaching at least 20 seconds in nine of 40 limbs. Venous ulcers that had been active for a median of 12 years (range, 0.5-21) healed in nine of 16 cases within 14-50 days (median, 21 days).

CONCLUSION

ESDP reduces disease-related symptoms, improves hemodynamics in almost 60%, and facilitates healing of long lasting venous ulcers.