title: Targeted endovenous treatment of Giacomini vein insufficiency-associated varicose disease: considering the reflux patterns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to assess the technical feasibility of targeted endovenous treatment of Giacomini vein insufficiency (GVI)-associated varicose disease and report our early results.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively screened 335 patients with varicose disease who underwent endovenous laser ablation from September 2011 to January 2013, and determined 17 patients who underwent Giacomini vein ablation. Using a targeted endovenous treatment approach considering the reflux pattern, all healthy great saphenous veins (GSV) or vein segments were preserved while all insufficient veins (Giacomini vein, perforator veins, small saphenous vein, anterior accessory GSV, major tributary veins, or incompetent segments of the GSV) were ablated. Treatment success was analysed using Doppler findings and clinical assessment scores before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Targeted endovenous treatment was technically successful in all cases. Seven GSVs were preserved totally and three GSVs were preserved partially (10/17, 58%), with no major complications. Clinical assessment scores and Doppler findings were improved in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Targeted endovenous treatment of GVI-associated varicose disease is safe and effective. In majority of GVI cases saphenous vein can be preserved using this approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Maltepe University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. mmatasoy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehmet Mahir
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Atasoy
authors.forename: Burçak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gümüş
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Caymaz
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oğuzkurt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex / Q000379:methods; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*