Internal Perivenous Compression for venous insufficiency at the Saphenofemoral Junction: Early and Midterm Results and Operative Pain

Abstract

Objectives To assess the postoperative pain and midterm results of patients undergoing internal perivenous compression with internal compression therapy (ICT) for venous insufficiency at the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) Materials and Methods Patients managed with ICT between April and October 2019 for grade 4 venous reflux at the SFJ were retrospectively evaluated. The venous clinical severity score (VCSS) was calculated preoperatively and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Postoperative pain was assessed with the visual analog scale (VAS). Control Doppler ultrasound imaging was performed 6 months postoperatively. Results Forty-five patients [14 (31%) males and 31 (69%) females; mean age, 47 ± 13 years] were included. The median preoperative VCSS was 7 (5–8.5). The median VCSS at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively was 6 (4–7.5), 4 (3–5.5), and 3 (2–4), respectively, and these values were significantly lower than the preoperative score (p = 0,001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). The postoperative VAS score was 0 in 6 patients (13%), 1 in 17 patients (38%), 2 in 6 patients (13%), 3 in 15 patients (33%), and 4 in 1 patient (2%). At 6 months, reflux was absent in 9 (20%), grade 1 in 20 (44%), and grade 2 in 16 (36%) patients. A vena saphena magna diameter of >6.7 mm predicted grade >1 reflux at 6 months [87.5%, with an area under the curve of 0.78 (p < 0.001)]. No complications occurred. Conclusion ICT alleviated symptoms and reduced reflux grade in patients with venous insufficiency at the SFJ. This therapy can be applied with satisfactory patient comfort.