Role of the subfascial endoscopic perforator veins surgery in the treatment of venous ulcerations. Surgical techniques

Background. Limbs phlebostatic ulcers are in many cases associated with perforator reflux veins often caused by post-thromboflebitis syndrome. The origin operation consisting in perforating vein interruption, described by Linton in 1938, allowed high quality exposition of these vessels and gave successful therapeutic results only affected by complications which prolonged hospitalisation. The most unfavorable prognostic factor was the need of performing an incision in skin sites affected by dermo-hypodermic degeneration induced by phlebopathy which inhibits post-surgery cicatrization. The therapeutic importance of reflux perforator vein interruption induced vascular surgeons to improve various procedures not affected by post-surgery complications and able to excise as much incontinent vessels as possible. Methods. By video-surgery and new surgery tools nowadays available, the Subfascial Endoscopic Perforating Veins Surgery (SEPS) was established as a feasible and valuable method. At present, there are many surgical techniques differing from each other for the tools and the subneurotic compartement from which the perforating veins start. The results obtained from 45 SEPS procedures performed on 45 patients presenting lymphodermatosclerosis or venous ulcers caused by chronic venous insufficiency have been retrospectively evaluated. Results. Thirty-six patients reached ulcer healing within 4 weeks after the operation; 7 ulcers healed over a 2 month time, while for 2 patients no clinical improvement has been recorded yet. Conclusions. SEPS is a valid alternative to the Linton procedure and provides remarkable advantages both in economic and clinical terms since it yields a more rapid lesions healing of small incisions which makes it one of the most minimally invasive surgical technique.