Marcondes Figueiredo

Ecoescleroterapia com microespuma em varizes tronculares primárias

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the treatment of primary trunk varicose veins by microfoam ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. METHODS: The sample was composed of 25 members of six male and 19 female patients, with incompetence of great saphenous vein (21) and short saphenous vein (4). Patients were assessed according to the clinical, etiologic, anatomical and pathophysiological (CEAP) classification and divided into degrees C3 (10), C4 (6), C5 (5) and C6 (4). With the patients in the Trendelenburg position, microfoam (5 ml), prepared by mixture of 1 ml polidocanol at 3% and 5 ml of air, was injected in their vein and monitored by color-flow Doppler ultrasonography. The members were then swaddled with inelastic bandage for 3 days; afterward, the patients used 30-40 mmHg, 3/4 or 7/8, elastic socks, during 3 months. Treatment efficiency was evaluated based on the CEAP classification for pain, edema and claudication, and on color-flow Doppler ultrasonographic changes 12 months later. Clinical scores, before and after treatment, were compared using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the clinical scores (p < 0.05). Therapeutic success was achieved, with total occlusion and partial recanalization without reflux in 84% of the cases. The remaining 16% of the cases presented partial recanalization with reflux or complete recanalization. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, which is an easy and low-cost method that does not require hospitalization and anesthesia, proved to be promising for the treatment of primary trunk varicose veins.

Late Follow-Up of Saphenofemoral Junction Ligation Combined With Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy in Patients With Venous Ulcers

BACKGROUND Venous ulcers are a frequent complication of venous disease, and a variety of healing methods have been proposed for these lesions. The objective of this study was to provide late follow-up data for a group of patients with venous ulcers who presented with advanced chronic venous insufficiency and were treated with saphenofemoral junction ligation combined with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. METHODS This was a prospective study of 35 patients. Patients were classified as CEAP6 and were followed during a 45- to 68-month period. The following variables were assessed: wound healing, ultrasound findings, and venous clinical severity scores. RESULTS The following ultrasound findings were observed: total and partial recanalization in 19 patients (treatment failure) and occlusion in 13 patients (treatment success). Two patients were lost to follow-up, and one patient died. Ulcers healed between 30 and 70 days and remained closed for a mean period of 48 months (Kaplan-Meyer method). The analysis of clinical severity scores (pain, edema, pigmentation, lipodermatosclerosis, and inflammation) revealed significant improvement when comparing pre- and post-treatment results. CONCLUSION Our preliminary findings suggest that saphenofemoral junction ligation combined with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is a feasible and simple palliative treatment method for this group of patients.

Pesquisa sobre escleroterapia líquida em varizes dos membros inferiores

INTRODUCTION: Sclerotherapy is one the most performed procedures by Brazilian vascular surgeons and angiologists. The basic principle is to eliminate the varicose vein, destroying its internal wall. In Brazil, there is a range of practices involved in this treatment especially regarding the sclerosing type, association with laser, use of gloves during the procedure, recommended resting time, sun exposure, practice of physical activity, use of post-sclerotherapy compression, among others. OBJECTIVE: To obtain knowledge on the most varied practices and techniques of this therapeutic modality, widely practiced by Brazilian angiologists. METHODS: The survey was carried out among approximately 3 thousand Brazilian angiologists, members of the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery - SBACV. The physicians answered an e-mail questionnaire on the techniques and indications of sclerotherapy of the lower limb varicose veins in Brazil. The link (www.iniciacaocientifica.com.br/pne) was made available with multiple choice questions. RESULTS: The questionnaire submitted was answered by 232 physicians. Gloves were worn during the procedure by 79.74% of the physicians; compression was employed by 52.59%; regarding physical activity after sclerotherapy , 46.12% of the physicians did not restrict, while 52.59% of them approved exercise after 1-3 days; ways to reduce pain during the procedure were used by 43.53% of the respondents; glucose 75% turned out to be the sclerosing agent most used by 35.34%; the most frequent systemic complication was lipothymia at 7.76%, and the most frequent local complication was hyperchromia at 66.38%; regarding sun exposure after the procedure: 28.02% released after the sclerotherapy with sunscreen, 24.57% after 15-30 days, and 25.43% after a period less than 15 days. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that sclerotherapy is widely employed by Brazilian angiologists in their daily practice, the survey has shown little agreement in relevant points, such as the use of compression, release for physical activities, and sun exposure.

Eficácia da compressão pneumática intermitente (CPI) nos membros inferiores sobre o fluxo sanguíneo das veias femorais comuns

BACKGROUND: Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism, a very common post-surgical complication, can be made pharmacologically or via mechanical methods, such as the use of anti-thrombosis socks and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC). IPC is a mechanical method of prophylaxis that deserves the attention of the medical community. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of IPC on the blood flow of common femoral veins in feet, legs and thighs of healthy adults. METHODS: The sample was comprised of 10 volunteers (seven females and three males), adults (20-40 years), without history of venous thromboembolism. After a rest period (10 min), with the patient in the supine position, blood flow was measured (three times) via vascular ultrasonography at the femoral vein, 1 cm above of the saphenofemoral junction, in both limbs, without (control) and with IPC in the patients foot, leg and thigh. Compression (130 mmHg on foot and 45 mmHg on leg and thigh) was applied at compression cycles of 11 seconds and emptying cycles of 20-60 seconds. Blood flow evaluations were performed at compression cycle peaks. Values were compared by analysis of variance (Tukey test), p < 0.05 indicating statistically significant difference. RESULTS: Use of IPC on the left and right lower limbs caused a percentage increase in the femoral blood flow of 37.6 and 70.8% (feet), 143.9 and 164.7% (legs), and 132.6 and 128.9% (thighs), respectively. Variations were statistically significant for application in legs and thighs. CONCLUSION: Use of IPC improves blood flow when applied in legs or thighs.BACKGROUND: Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism, a very common post-surgical complication, can be made pharmacologically or via mechanical methods, such as the use of anti-thrombosis socks and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC). IPC is a mechanical method of prophylaxis that deserves the attention of the medical community. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of IPC on the blood flow of common femoral veins in feet, legs and thighs of healthy adults. METHODS: The sample was comprised of 10 volunteers (seven females and three males), adults (20-40 years), without history of venous thromboembolism. After a rest period (10 min), with the patient in the supine position, blood flow was measured (three times) via vascular ultrasonography at the femoral vein, 1 cm above of the saphenofemoral junction, in both limbs, without (control) and with IPC in the patients foot, leg and thigh. Compression (130 mmHg on foot and 45 mmHg on leg and thigh) was applied at compression cycles of 11 seconds and emptying cycles of 20-60 seconds. Blood flow evaluations were performed at compression cycle peaks. Values were compared by analysis of variance (Tukey test), p < 0.05 indicating statistically significant difference. RESULTS: Use of IPC on the left and right lower limbs caused a percentage increase in the femoral blood flow of 37.6 and 70.8% (feet), 143.9 and 164.7% (legs), and 132.6 and 128.9% (thighs), respectively. Variations were statistically significant for application in legs and thighs. CONCLUSION: Use of IPC improves blood flow when applied in legs or thighs.