Venous valve repair: early results in fifty-two cases.
OBJECTIVE
Chronic deep venous insufficiency, usually secondary to the postthrombotic syndrome, is due to primary valve failure in approximately 15% of cases. In these cases surgical repair of the valvular mechanism may be indicated.


METHODS
Fifty-two limbs in 42 patients were treated with superficial femoral vein valvuloplasty after appropriate investigation. Adjunctive operations on the superficial or perforating veins were performed on 49 limbs during the same hospital admission.


RESULTS
Of the 27 patients who have completed one year of follow-up, 85% are free of reflux on duplex scanning and 68% have had normalization of venous refilling times. Of 11 limbs with venous ulceration followed up for more than 1 year, only one has had a recurrent ulcer (9%). In patients without ulceration the procedure has been successful in alleviating symptoms of venous insufficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the procedure, in conjunction with appropriate superficial venous operation, is effective in selected patients with deep vein reflux whose conditions remain uncontrolled by conservative measures. At 1 year, 85% of valvuloplasties in this series remained competent.
Cheatle
T R
TR
Unite de Pathologie Vasculaire Jean Kunlin, Clinique du Grand-Large, Decines Charpieu, France.
Perrin
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011186:Postphlebitic Syndrome / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000601:surgery; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*