Surgical and endovascular treatment of lower extremity venous insufficiency.

Lower extremity venous insufficiency is a highly prevalent condition. Now it is understood that telangiectasias, reticular varicosities, and true varicose veins are physiologically similar and etiologically identical. The four main influences causing these abnormalities are heredity, female sex, gravitational hydrostatic forces, and hemodynamic muscular compartment pressure. There are clear indications and goals for intervention. A cornerstone in the treatment of venous insufficiency is elimination of sources of venous hypertension. One of these is the refluxing greater saphenous vein. Minimally invasive saphenous ablation can be achieved by radiofrequency energy and laser light energy. These new techniques eliminate the psychologic barrier to treatment caused by the term "stripping" and allow the objectives of surgery to be achieved with minimal invasion and quick recovery. Endovenous techniques show great promise. They provide minimal invasion, often under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation, thereby eliminating the need for general anesthesia. Objectives of venous insufficiency have been established and the endoluminal minimally invasive techniques developed in recent years appear to accomplish their goals.