Pre- and postoperative evaluation by photoplethysmography in patients receiving surgery for lower-limb varicose veins.
Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of surgery in treating primary varicose veins in the lower limbs by photoplethysmography (PPG) and duplex mapping (DM). Method. Forty-eight lower limbs were clinically evaluated according to the CEAP classification system and subjected to PPG and DM exams. Each limb had a venous refill time (VRT) of <20 seconds and a normal deep vein system (DVS) by DM. Results. The mean pre- and postoperative VRTs were 13.79 and 26.43 seconds, respectively (P < 0.0001). After surgery, 42 limbs (87.50%) had normal results by PPG (VRT > 20 seconds). Four limbs (8.33%) showed improved VRTs, but the VRTs did not reach 20 seconds. In the 2 limbs (4.17%) that maintained their original VRTs, the DM exams showed the presence of insufficient perforating veins. Conclusion. In most cases, PPG allows for a satisfactory evaluation of the outcome of varicose vein surgery.
Faculty of Medicine of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Avenida Prof. Montenegro, Distrito de Rubião Junior, s/n, 18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
Orlando Adas
OA
Saliba Júnior
Faculty of Medicine of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Avenida Prof. Montenegro, Distrito de Rubião Junior, s/n, 18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
Mariangela
M
Giannini
Federal University of Mato Grosso, Campus of the Araguaia, Avenida Universitária No. 3.500, 78698-000 Pontal do Araguaia, MT, Brazil.
Ana Paula
AP
Mórbio
Araçatuba Dental School, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rua José Bonifácio, 1193, Vila Mendonça, 16015-050 Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
Orlando
O
Saliba
Faculty of Medicine of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Avenida Prof. Montenegro, Distrito de Rubião Junior, s/n, 18618970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
Hamilton Almeida
HA
Rollo