Phlebology current issue

Patient-reported outcome or physician-reported outcome?

Guex, J.-J. — 2008-11-21

Thigh compression

Partsch, H, Mosti, G — 2008-11-21

The aim of this overview is to discuss the role of thigh compression for the management of venous and lymphatic diseases. The most important indications for thigh compression are prevention and treatment of sequelae of superficial vein procedures (surgery or endovenous procedures), prevention and therapy of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), post-thrombotic syndrome and lymphoedema. The intended effects depend mainly on narrowing/occlusion of deep and superficial veins on which the body position and the applied pressure play a crucial role. While in the horizontal position thigh veins can be narrowed by the light pressure of a thromboprophylactic stocking, much higher pressure is needed to compress thigh veins effectively during standing and walking. This is shown by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed in the supine and upright position. Using pads, rolls or specially designed devices, the local pressure under conventional compression garments or bandages over a treated vein can be increased considerably. In patients with deep valve incompetence, beneficial haemodynamic effects of strong thigh compression have been demonstrated, but clinical studies in this field are still lacking. Thigh compression reduces oedema in patients with DVT and lymphoedema.

Venous Clinical Severity Score and quality-of-life assessment tools: application to vein practice

Vasquez, M A, Munschauer, C E — 2008-11-21

The time is ripe for universal understanding and acceptance of outcome assessment in venous disease. Outcome studies promote understanding of the diseases we treat and the results of treatment. The choice of a valid and reliable assessment tool is crucial. Patient-generated quality-of-life tools include generic instruments and disease-specific instruments. Generic instruments evaluate overall well-being and provide subjective measurements of treatment outcomes in various disease states. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Nottingham Health Profile are widely used generic surveys. Disease-specific instruments relate to a particular disease state. They are popular in venous disease reporting and have high sensitivity. The Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire, the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study, the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire and the Charing Cross Venous Ulceration Questionnaire are such devices. Physician-generated measurement tools are used to evaluate and classify the consequences of venous disease. The clinical, aetiology, anatomy, pathophysiology classification (CEAP) is a popular descriptive platform for chronic venous disease. The Venous Severity Scoring (VSS) system was derived from the CEAP classification to provide evaluative capabilities. The three elements of the VSS are the venous disability score, the venous segmental disease score and the venous clinical severity score (VCSS). The VCSS facilitates the follow-up of features of venous disease that change with treatment. Each of these outcomes tools has been validated, and each has strengths and weaknesses. Maintaining the dynamic nature of assessment with periodic review and revision is the way forward to generating universal applicability. Although the choice of instrument is debatable, the most important factor in improving treatment outcomes is the decision to examine results and to share them in a meaningful way.

Diagnosis and therapy in children with lymphoedema

Damstra, R J, Mortimer, P S — 2008-11-21

Introduction

Lymphoedema (LE) is a disorder characterized by persistent swelling caused by impaired lymphatic drainage because of various aetiologies, including lymphatic injury and congenital functional or anatomical defects.

Objective

Literature review and expert opinion about diagnosis and treatment of LE in children.

Results

LE is rare in children, with a prevalence of about 1.15/100,000 persons, 20 years old. The management of LE in children differs considerably from adults in terms of origin, co-morbidity and therapeutic approach. The objective of this presentation is to discuss practical issues related to clinically relevant information on the diagnosis, aetiology, work-up and treatment of LE in children. In contrast to adults, who usually experience secondary LE because of acquired lymphatic failure, most cases in children have a primary origin. The diagnosis can be made mainly on the basis of careful personal and family history, and physical examination. LE in children can be part of a syndrome if there are other concomitant phenotypic abnormalities and if a genetic defect is recognizable. Treatment of LE is mostly conservative utilizing decongestive LE therapy including compression therapy, directed exercises, massage and skincare. In the neonate, initial observation alone may be sufficient, as delayed lymphatic development and maturation can result in spontaneous improvement. The role of parents is crucial in providing the necessary input.

Conclusion

We present a review emphasizing a practical approach to treating a child with LE according to current publications and our own experience.

Inelastic compression increases venous ejection fraction more than elastic bandages in patients with superficial venous reflux

Mosti, G, Mattaliano, V, Partsch, H — 2008-11-21

Aim

To investigate the influence of compression bandages, manufactured using materials with different elastic properties, on the impaired venous pumping function in patients with venous insufficiency.

Methods

Ejection volume (EV) and ejection fraction (EF) were measured using strain gauge plethysmography distal from the patella without and with elastic and inelastic compression bandages in a total of 30 patients with major venous reflux in the great saphenous vein. The interface pressure of the bandages was measured simultaneously in the medial gaiter area. Normal values of EV and EF were obtained from 15 healthy controls.

Results

Patients with venous insufficiency showed a statistically significant reduction of EV and EF compared to controls. Elastic bandages with an average pressure of 42 mm Hg in the supine position achieved a moderate increase of EV and a significant improvement of EF (p < .01), while inelastic bandages applied with comparable resting pressure (41 mm Hg) raised EV and EF into a normal range (p < .001). The improvement of the ejection fraction correlates well with the pressure differences between standing and lying (Static Stiffness Index) and between muscle systole and diastole during exercise (Pearson r = 0.69 and 0.74 respectively, p < .001). Elastic bandages applied with high stretch in order to achieve standing pressures comparable to those of inelastic bandages (>60 mm Hg) led only to a minor improvement of the venous pumping function.

Conclusions

Ejected volume and ejection fraction, which are severely reduced in venous insufficiency, can be increased by compression therapy. Inelastic compression is much more effective than elastic bandages, and is able to normalize venous pumping function. With elastic bandages EV and EF always remain below the normal range even when applied with high stretch producing a resting pressure that is barely tolerable.

Transilluminated powered phlebectomy: a clinical report

Akesson, H — 2008-11-21

Twenty-one patients with varicose vein incompetence of the legs have been treated with the TriVex system (Smith & Nephew, Andover, MA, USA). The technique is designed for treatment of local varicosities to provide a good cosmetic result (remaining varicosities and pigmentation) and less morbidity (pain and loss of work days). These parameters showed good results with few remaining varicosities and pigmentations. Reasonable number of days out of work and moderate pain. Eighteen of the 21 patients had an overall good outcome with no complaints.

Treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis of the great saphenous vein

De Maeseneer, M. — 2008-11-21