Venous and Lymphatic Disease Flashcards
What are varicose veins?
Common disease.
Tortuous dilated superficial veins.
Multifactorial.
Primary VVs - valvular dysfunction, leaflet of valves not meeting properly allowing the back flow of blood.
Where are the common sites of varicose veins?
Long saphenous - 80-87%
Short saphenous - 21-30%
(alone 13%, combined 21%)
In which sex are varicose veins more prevalent?
20-25% females
10-15% males
How many procedures take place for varicose veins in the UK per year?
> 100,000
20% operations - recurrent veins.
What are the important things to find out in the history of someone with varicose veins?
Age when veins appeared
Occupation (normally find its when people are on their feet a lot)
Pregnancy, esp twins, big babies
Previous DVT/major trauma, good reason for DVT - white leg of pregnancy
Family history
Signs and symptoms
Any complications
What are the symptoms and signs of varicose veins?
Cosmesis Localised or generalised discomfort in the leg Nocturnal cramps Swelling Acute haemorrhage Superficial thrombophlebitis Pruritus - itching Skin changes
What is superficial thrombophlebitis?
Thrombosis and inflammation of superficial veins which results in pain and erythema. Usually benign but can be complicated by DVT.
How can you assess varicose veins?
Can use duplex to see flow of blood in the veins, to prove it is actually back flowing.
What are the indications for intervention with varicose veins?
Symptoms Superficial thrombophlebitis Signs of chronic venous insufficiency Bleeding Cosmetic - anxiety of disease progression
What are different methods that can be used to treat varicose veins?
Surgery - high tie, stripping, multiple stab avulsions Injection (sclerotherapy) Minimally invasive procedures Compression Conservative (may include compression)
What are the contra-indications for surgery in the treatment of varicose veins?
Previous DVT (collaterals)
Arterial insufficiency
Patient co-morbs
Morbid obesity
Describe the surgery done to treat varicose veins.
Conventional surgery under GA.
Ligation of the sapheno-femoral or sapheno-popliteal junctions
Vein stripping and multiple stab avulsions
PIN (perforate invaginate) stripping
What are common complications with VV surgery?
Minor haemorrhage
thrombophlebitis, haemotoma
Wound problems, severe pain
What are less common complications with VV surgery?
Sural/saphenous nerve damage.
What are rare complications with VV surgery?
Damage to deep veins, arteries, nerves, DVT.