Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders最新文献

Objective: Oral (PO) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat phlebitis and thrombus extension postendovenous ablation. Few studies have evaluated diclofenac topical gel for treating postablation phlebitis. This study assesses diclofenac 1% topical gel as a first-line treatment for patients with moderate to severe phlebitis after ablation.

Methods: From December 2021 to March 2024, a retrospective cohort study was performed to identify patients who developed postablation phlebitis and were treated with either diclofenac topical gel (with or without PO NSAIDs) vs PO NSAIDs alone. All patients were evaluated with a numeric pain rating scale (NPRS, 0-10) at four time intervals (1, 7, 14, and 30 days) after initiating treatment.

Results: Overall, 45 patients were included in the study, with 38 in the diclofenac ± PO NSAIDs group (9 males and 29 females) and 7 in the PO NSAIDs alone group (all females). NPRS scores showed similar pain reduction trends at all time intervals. Topical diclofenac gel was noninferior to PO treatments and resulted in partial to complete relief in most patients at 30 days. At the 30-day follow-up interview, 57% of patients preferred the diclofenac topical gel owing to its ease of use and immediate local pain reduction.

Conclusions: Patients with moderate to severe postablation phlebitis respond well to diclofenac topical gel with or without PO NSAIDs. Moreover, patients often had significant pain relief without additional need for PO NSAIDs. Longitudinal studies are needed to support the use of diclofenac topical gel for postablation phlebitis.

Objective: Iliac venous obstruction has been reported as a cause of chronic pelvic pain (CPP), however, there is a paucity of data in the literature reporting outcomes of venous stenting in this population. This study reports on a group of women with CPP and evidence of iliac venous obstruction: (1) the long-term impact of iliac vein stenting on pain scores; (2) the associations of age, stenosis severity, and concurrent presence of ovarian vein reflux (OVR) on pain; and (3) the effect of pregnancy after stenting.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of women with chronic pelvic pain who subsequently underwent iliac vein stenting. Data analyzed included demographics, venous measures (iliac and ovarian veins), visual analog scales, and pregnancy after stenting.

Results: A total of 113 female patients who had a history of chronic pelvic pain and underwent iliac venous stenting were included in analyses. The mean age at the time of stenting was 46.5 ± 15.7 years (range, 17-88 years). The baseline left common iliac vein diameter on duplex was 0.43 ± 0.18 cm and left common iliac vein area stenosis on intravascular ultrasound was 77.4 ± 9.4%. The baseline pain severity was correlated with younger age, degree of stenosis and presence of OVR. At a median follow-up of 5 years after stenting, 98% had improved pain scores and 73% had complete resolution of their pain despite the presence of residual OVR. Pregnancy after stenting did not result in the recurrence of pain and there were no stent-related complications with pregnancy.

Conclusions: Iliac venous stenting provides long-term relief from CPP even with residual OVR and poststent pregnancy. With 73% of women having full pain resolution, and the rest having a mean residual pain score of <3, this study supports venous stenting for the treatment of CPP of venous origin, especially in young women.

Background: Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare neoplasm; the accumulated knowledge about the characteristics and prognosis of this tumor has been derived mainly from isolated case reports with no comprehensive research. In this study, we reviewed our institution's experience with IVL over a 20-year period and developed a classification system that can be used to guide surgical management.

Methods: The study had a retrospective cohort design and included patients who underwent resection of IVL at our institution between January 2002 and December 2022. Perioperative parameters were then collected among four stages of our proposed classification. The long-term outcomes, oncologic prognosis, and factors associated with recurrence were analyzed.

Results: A total of 216 patients were included (stage 1, n = 92; stage 2, n = 39; stage 3, n = 76; stage 4, n = 9). The mean follow-up duration was 26.34 months, during which 18 patients (9.7%) in the complete resection group had recurrence, and 12 (39.0%) in the incomplete resection group showed disease progression. Recurrence or progression of residual disease was associated with adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy and maximum tumor thrombus diameter but not with total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, age, or postoperative treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy.

Conclusions: This is the largest single-center report on IVL published to date and provides valuable information on its clinical features and long-term outcomes, as well as surgical technique. Our classification system can be used to evaluate the extent of lesion involvement and guide surgical management.

Objective: The goal of this study was to test the hybrid technique of combined tumescent liposuction and surgical excision in patients with advanced lipolymphedema of the thigh after compression therapy as a gold standard for treatment.

Methods: Between January 2016 and April 2020, 18 female and 1 male patients with massive thigh lipolymphedema were treated with complete decongestive therapy for the whole thigh followed by selective decongestive therapy to the upper and lower thigh to make a lump on the midmedial region. Then, the patient was prepared for surgery. Skin is refashioned and sutured in a manner that leaves no furrows and a cosmetic contour is obtained. Compression therapy is maintained from the day of the surgery starting by compression bandage until full healing of the wound, followed by well-fitted garments.

Results: This study was conducted on 18 female patients and 1 male patient who presented with massive lipolymphedema of the thigh. The age of the patients ranged from 46 to 65 years old with a mean age of 51.38 years. All patients in this study underwent compression therapy as a preparatory stage to turn the massive lipolymphedema into lumpedema, followed by hybrid technique which consisted of combined liposuction and surgical excision.

Conclusions: Conversion of massive thigh lipolymphedema into lumpedema followed by tumescent liposuction and surgical excision has proven to be a safe and effective treatment option with a marvelous cosmetic result and low wound morbidity and should be considered as a solution for all patients with this disorder.

Objective: This study evaluates hemodynamic and anatomic changes in great saphenous vein (GSV) tributaries after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA).

Methods: This case series analyzed 112 areas in 28 lower limbs of 25 patients who underwent EVLA from April 2022 to June 2023 at the Hospital das Clínicas de Pernambuco/UFPE. All patients were evaluated by Doppler ultrasound preoperatively and 3 months after the surgical treatment. The parameters studied were GSV diameter and patency, GSV tributary diameter, patency and flow direction, and the Venous Clinical Severity Score after EVLA. The GSV characteristics were evaluated in four regions: saphenous-femoral junction, medium thigh, knee, and medium leg. The tributary veins were grouped in four areas: anterior thigh, posterior thigh, anterior leg, and posterior leg.

Results: The results included 28 lower limbs from 23 patients; 18 patients (67.9%) were women, and the average age was 49 years; 2 patients were lost to follow-up. Ninety days after EVLA, all treated GSVs were occluded. The average diameter of GSV decreased in all four regions studied: saphenous-femoral junction, medium thigh, knee, and medium leg (P ≤ .001). We analyzed 101 GSV tributaries. In the analysis of GSV tributaries by area, we identified a mean diameter decrease in all groups of tributaries (P < .001). Considering the tributaries with reflux, we also identified a reduction in the number of tributaries with reflux in all four groups (P ≤ .001). All tributaries were patent preoperatively; at 3 months after the surgical treatment, GSV tributaries occlusion was infrequent, except for the anterior thigh group. There was a decrease from 9 to 5 points in Venous Clinical Severity Score after EVLA (P < .001).

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that, after GSV laser ablation, there was a statistically significant decrease in the diameters of all tributary groups, and the number of tributaries with decreased reflux; however, the occlusion of tributaries was not a frequent finding.

Background: Spontaneous hemorrhage from erosion of varicose veins through the skin is a serious and occasionally fatal complication of varicose vein disease. Various treatments, both acute and delayed, have been advocated. Our two-step clinical protocol was designed to prevent further hemorrhage without delay and to provide durable freedom from recurrent bleeding.

Methods: All patients referred to our surgical vein practice with hemorrhage from varicose veins were entered into a prospective registry. On presentation, all patients underwent diagnostic duplex ultrasound for venous reflux. Immediate treatment consisted of ultrasound-guided polidocanol/CO₂ foam sclerotherapy of the bleeding varicosity and adjacent veins. Subsequent endovenous ablation of underlying incompetent axial veins, with concurrent microphlebectomy when indicated, was scheduled and performed within 8 weeks.

Results: Fifty-nine patients were referred with recent hemorrhage from varicose veins over a period of 4 years. Fifty-six (95%) had an ultrasound-identified tributary varicosity underlying the point of bleeding, and three had a skin-surface erosion only and no ultrasound-identified underlying tributary. Of the 59 study patients, 52 underwent prompt polidocanol/CO₂ foam sclerotherapy, targeted to both the underlying tributary (when present) as well as the cutaneous bleeding varicosity. The remaining seven either declined sclerotherapy or were ineligible. Underlying incompetence of axial (great, small, or anterior saphenous) veins was found in 54 patients (92%). Of these patients with truncal vein incompetence, 48 underwent ablation-5 declined and 1 was too frail for any further intervention. There were no recurrent bleeds in the interval between immediate sclerotherapy and scheduled ablation. During a mean follow-up of 2.2 years, 55 of the 59 patients (93%) had no recurrence of bleeding. Four patients (7%) had late, recurrent hemorrhage: one had failed to return for their scheduled ablation, two were on chronic anticoagulation, and one had severe right heart failure. All four were retreated without further recurrence.

Conclusions: A two-step protocol of immediate ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, followed within 8 weeks by endovenous ablation of incompetent axial veins and concurrent microphlebectomy, provided rapid and efficient treatment with durable freedom from subsequent hemorrhage.

Background: Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) describes the symptomatic compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery. Whereas asymptomatic compression is a common radiological finding, patients with NCS can report a range of symptoms. There are no specific diagnostic criteria and interventions include a range of open surgical and endovascular procedures. Therefore, we wished to develop an international consensus document covering aspects of diagnosis, management, and follow-up for patients with NCS.

Methods: A three-stage modified Delphi consensus was performed. A steering committee developed 37 statements covering 3 categories for patients with NCS: diagnosis, management, and follow-up. These statements were reported individually by 20 international experts in the management of venous disease, using a 5-point Likert scale. Consensus was defined if ≥70% of respondents rated the statement between 1 and 2 (agreement) and between 4 and 5 (disagreement). Those statements without consensus were recirculated in a second round of voting. A third round of the questionnaire was performed with 14 additional statements to clarify diagnostic values of NCS.

Results: Responses were returned by 20 of 20 experts (100%) in round one and 17 of 20 (85%) in round two. Initial consensus was reached in 24 of 37 statements (65%) spread over all categories. Round two achieved a further consensus on 5 out of 10 statements (50%). No categories reported consensus on all statements. In round two consensus was reached in the category of follow-up (4/5 statements [80%]). The final round reached consensus on 5 out of 14 statements (36%). Experts agreed that imaging is obligated to confirm NCS. Experts did not agree on specific diagnostic cut-off values. There was a consensus that the first choice of operative treatment is left renal vein transposition and that the risk of stent migration outweighs the advantages of a percutaneous procedure.

Conclusions: Consensus was achieved on most statements concerning the assessment and management of NCS. This Delphi consensus identified those areas in which further research is needed, such as antiplatelet therapy, endovascular treatment, and renal autotransplantation. A rare disease registry to improve data and reports of patient outcomes is warranted.

Background: Lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) has become an increasingly common treatment for patients with secondary extremity lymphedema. The objective of this study was to optimize strategies for lower secondary extremity lymphedema using LVA techniques, with the aim of enhancing patient outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 121 patients who underwent LVA at Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province from January 2020 to December 2023. Preoperative and postoperative assessments included intraoperative observations, functional parameters, and clinical outcomes. The efficacy of LVA was evaluated based on circumferential reduction, quality of life improvements (Lymphoedema Quality of Life Questionnaire), and postoperative complications.

Results: This study enrolled 121 patients with lower secondary extremity lymphedema, with an average age of 58.19 years. The results revealed significant associations between incision depth, lymphatic vessel size, the number of LVAs performed, and the number of incisions per patient, all of which correlated with postoperative volume reduction. The resulted analysis that identified optimal incision depths of 10 to 15 mm, lymphatic vessel size of 0.4 to 0.6 mm, and a recommended number of 6 to 8 LVAs. After LVA, there was a marked improvement in patient quality of life, with particularly notable enhancements in functionality and appearance.

Conclusions: This study's findings optimizing the strategy for LVA surgery recommend the depth of incision, the size of lymphatic vessels, and the number of anastomoses to improve the quality of life and limb volume in patients with secondary lymphedema of the lower limbs.