Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2005 Jun;38(6):415-420.

Comparative Study of Conventional Phlebectomy and Transiliuminated Powered Phlebectomy in Varicose Veins

• Chung SW
• Lee CW

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recently the cases of varicose veins are increasing because the patients with latent disease have come to realize that they want a positive treatment. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to compare and analyze two methods the conventional phlebectomy (CP) and transiliuminated powered phlebectomy (TIPP). MATERIAL NAD METHOD: From March 2001 to December 2004, 114 patients (167 legs) with varicose vein were operated in Pusan National University Hospital. A retrospective review was performed on the clinical records. We analyzed age, sex, duration of illness, chief complaints, duplex doppler findings, number of skin incisions, operative time, length of hospitalization, complications, and remnant lesions. RESULT: Operative time was significantly shorter in the TIPP group than CP group (for one leg 108.4+/-27.6 min vs 83.4+/-24.4 min, for both legs 184.7+/-28.4 min vs 137.8+/-24.4 min). There was significant statistical difference in average number of skin incisions per leg between the CP group and the TIPP group (5.9+/-2.2 vs 4.2+/-1.6). Mean duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the TIPP group than CP group (4.4+/-1.0 days vs 5.8+/-1.9 days). Complications were pain (15.9%), remnant lesion (9.5%), and ecchymosis (4.8%) in the CP group and ecchymosis (19.6%), pain (7.8%), and remnant lesion (7.8%) in TIPP group. Sclerotherapy or reopertaion was done for the patients who had remnant lesions. CONCLUSION: Transilluminated powered phlebectomy in varicose vein could reduce operative time and number of skin incisions, and almost completely removed the multiple lesions. Although there were postoperative complications such as ecclymosis, they were absorbed within 2 months and patients were satisfied. Therefore, TIPP is a more effective operative technique than conventional phlebectomy in varicose veins.

Keyword

Varicose veins; Vascular disease