Transilluminated Powered Phlebectomy for Varicose Vein

Shin, Hwa Kyun; Won, Yong Soon; Song, Cheol Min

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To determine the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection and ablation of superficial varicosities using a powered vein resector, irrigated illuminator. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 83 consecutive patients were involved in the study. 103 limbs in 83 patients were treated using a minimal invasive, powered, vein resecting device with cutaneous transillumination and tumescent anesthesia technique. There were 51 women and 32 men. All patients were operated under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia. Operative time and patient satisfaction scores were recorded along with the number of incisions made. RESULT: 83 patients(51/61.4% female, 32/38.6% male, aged 25-78 years) had varicose vein. Average age at the time of operation was 45 years(range, 25 to 78 years). There were 63 unilateral procedures and 20 bilateral operations. Operative time ranged from 24 to 46 minutes (average 35.3 minutes) in the unilateral procedure. The number of incisions per limb averaged 2.7(range, 2 to 5). Postoperative complications occurred in 7(8.4%) patients. Patients were asked to describe their pain on an analog scale ranging from 1 to 10 with 1 representing no pain and 10 worst imaginable pain. Immediately postoperative pain score was 2.4. Postoperative pain score at 72 hours had a mean score of 2.0. Postoperative pain score at 1 months were 1.
CONCLUSION
Varicose vein removal using Transilluminated Powered Phlebectomy(TIPP) is a safe and efficient procedure. The procedure saves time, is easy to perform, and gives direct visualization and a distinct endpoint of the removal of veins. It is also less tedious to perform and gives good cosmetic results with significant pain relief.