Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2012 Jun;45(3):155-160. 10.5090/kjtcs.2012.45.3.155.

Early Results of Cryosurgery in Varicose Veins in Korea: Safety and Feasibility

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea. ktkim@korea.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Cryosurgery was recently introduced as a treatment for varicose veins in the lower extremities. Cryosurgery with freezing probes can be used to remove the great saphenous vein (GSV) via an inguinal incision alone. The aim of this study was to assess early outcomes and the feasibility of cryosurgery for varicose veins.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty patients were enrolled in the present study from March 2009 to July 2010. All patients underwent careful physical examinations, and their GSV reflux was demonstrated by duplex ultrasonography. Clinical severity was measured according to the clinical-etiology-anatomy-pathophysiology (CEAP) classification. The impaired GSVs were removed with rigid cryoprobes after freezing. Patients had follow-up appointments at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. Sclerotherapy was performed during follow-up on an outpatient basis as needed.
RESULTS
A total of 19 men and 21 women were enrolled. The mean follow-up duration was 3.4 months (range, 1 to 12 months). The clinical severity ranged from CEAP 2 to CEAP 6a. Thirty-eight patients underwent concomitant phlebectomy during surgery. No recurrences were reported during follow-up. There were three cases of minor complications. Two patients had paresthesia, and one had thrombophlebitis.
CONCLUSION
Using cryosurgery techniques to treat varicose veins, the complication rates were minimal and outcomes were comparable to those of previous reports. This procedure is a safe and feasible treatment modality for varicose veins.

Keyword

Saphenous vein; Cryosurgery; Varicose veins; Safety

MeSH Terms

Appointments and Schedules
Cryosurgery
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Freezing
Humans
Lower Extremity
Male
Outpatients
Paresthesia
Physical Examination
Recurrence
Saphenous Vein
Sclerotherapy
Varicose Veins
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