Dominic Mühlberger1,2, Erich Brenner3, Norbert Frings4, Bruno Geier5, Achim Mumme1,2, Stefanie Reich-Schupke2, Horst-Peter Steffen6, Dietmar Stenger7, Markus Stücker2,8, Thomas Hummel1,2. 1. Department of Vascular Surgery, St. Josef Hospital Bochum, Katholisches Klinikum Bochum Department of the Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany. 2. Vein Centre of the Departments of Dermatology and Vascular Surgery, Katholisches Klinikum Bochum, Bochum, Germany. 3. Institute for Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria. 4. Vein Centre Capio Bad Bertrich GmbH, Bad Bertrich, Germany. 5. Department of Vascular Surgery, Krankenhaus Bethanien Moers, Germany. 6. Vein Centre Capio Clinic im Park, Hilden, Germany. 7. Gemeinschaftspraxis Saarlouis, Saarlouis, Germany. 8. Department of Dermatology, St. Josef Hospital Bochum, Katholisches Klinikum Bochum, Department of the Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: External valvuloplasty (eVP) is a reconstructive surgical method to repair the function of the terminal and preterminal valves. We evaluated the 6-month outcomes of eVP regarding the diameter of the great saphenous vein (GSV). METHODS: Patients from five vein centres were included in this observational study. Follow-up involved detailed duplex sonography of the GSV. The venous clinical severity score (VCSS) and the C class of the clinical, aetiologic, anatomic and pathophysiologic (CEAP) classification were recorded. RESULTS: We enrolled 210 patients, with a follow-up rate of 58%; eVP was sufficient in 95.24% of the patients. The GSV diameters decreased significantly from 4.4 mm (standard deviation (SD): 1.39) to 3.9 (SD: 1.12), 4 cm distal to the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ); from 3.7 mm (SD: 1.10) to 3.5 mm (SD: 1.02) at the mid-thigh; from 3.6 mm (SD: 1.14) to 3.3 mm (SD: 0.94) at the knee and from 3.1 mm (SD: 0.99) to 2.9 mm (SD: 0.78) at the mid-calf. VCSS decreased significantly from 4.76 (SD: 2.13) preoperatively to 1.77 (SD: 1.57) 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: GSV function can be restored by eVP; diameters over the total length of the GSV decreased significantly.
OBJECTIVES: External valvuloplasty (eVP) is a reconstructive surgical method to repair the function of the terminal and preterminal valves. We evaluated the 6-month outcomes of eVP regarding the diameter of the great saphenous vein (GSV). METHODS:Patients from five vein centres were included in this observational study. Follow-up involved detailed duplex sonography of the GSV. The venous clinical severity score (VCSS) and the C class of the clinical, aetiologic, anatomic and pathophysiologic (CEAP) classification were recorded. RESULTS: We enrolled 210 patients, with a follow-up rate of 58%; eVP was sufficient in 95.24% of the patients. The GSV diameters decreased significantly from 4.4 mm (standard deviation (SD): 1.39) to 3.9 (SD: 1.12), 4 cm distal to the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ); from 3.7 mm (SD: 1.10) to 3.5 mm (SD: 1.02) at the mid-thigh; from 3.6 mm (SD: 1.14) to 3.3 mm (SD: 0.94) at the knee and from 3.1 mm (SD: 0.99) to 2.9 mm (SD: 0.78) at the mid-calf. VCSS decreased significantly from 4.76 (SD: 2.13) preoperatively to 1.77 (SD: 1.57) 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: GSV function can be restored by eVP; diameters over the total length of the GSV decreased significantly.