Subfascial perforator vein ablation: comparison of open versus endoscopic techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcomes and complications of open (OSPS) versus endoscopic subfascial perforator surgery (SEPS) for treatment of chronic venous insufficiency.


METHODS
Data were retrospectively collected on 25 patients who underwent 27 SEPSs from February 1996 to August 1997 and from 22 patients who underwent 29 OSPSs between March 1978 and May 1993. Outcomes were evaluated for postoperative complications, ulcer healing, recurrence, and venous dysfunction scores on the last follow-up for the SEPS group and at 1-year follow-up for the OSPS group.


RESULTS
The 2 groups were similar in age, sex, history of previous venous surgery, healed or active ulcers, etiology, deep venous incompetency, pathophysiology, and venous refill times. Eighteen (90%) of 20 active ulcers in the SEPS group healed with recurrences in 5 (28%) limbs at 7.5 +/- 5.4-month follow-up. All 19 ulcers in the OSPS group healed, with recurrences in 13 (68%) limbs at 35 +/- 35-month follow-up. Clinical venous dysfunction scores showed significant improvement following SEPS (10.0 +/- 3.6 to 5.4 +/- 4.1, p < 0.001) and OSPS (10.0 +/- 3.2 to 6.7 +/- 3.6, p < 0.001) with no significant difference between groups. Both groups also had significant improvement in anatomical and disability scores. There was no postoperative mortality in either group. The OSPS group had significantly more wound complications (45%) than the SEPS group (7%) (p < 0.005). The hospital stay and readmission rate for wound problems were also higher in the OSPS group.


CONCLUSIONS
The early outcome showed equal improvement in clinical venous dysfunction scores in the 2 groups, but with significantly fewer complications in the SEPS group. Although the long-term durability of the endoscopic approach has not been determined, the short-term results would favor SEPS for treatment of severe venous insufficiency when perforator incompetence is a significant component.
Sato
D T
DT
Division of Vascular Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk 23510, USA.
Goff
C D
CD
Gregory
R T
RT
Walter
B F
BF
Gayle
R G
RG
Parent
F N
FN
DeMasi
R J
RJ
Meier
G H
GH
Wheeler
J R
JR
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy; D005205:Fascia; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D017156:Photoplethysmography; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing