Purpose: Varicose vein incompetence in the legs is very prevalent in the Korean population. New technologies and improvements in established methods have changed the treatment of varicose veins. Transilluminated powered phlebectomy is an alternative surgical technique that combines endoscopic powered vein resection and ablation of superficial varicosities with tumescent anesthesia and irrigated illumination. The present study sought to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of transilluminated powered phlebectomy from clinical data.
Method: Four hundred and forty-seven limbs in 299 patients (157 male, 142 female; mean age 50.6 years) with varicose veins were treated with transilluminated powered phlebectomy over a 7-year period. The patients were followed for 1 year postoperatively. The analyzed data included sex, age, body mass index, operative time (from skin incision to the application of elastic bandages on the legs for compression purposes), and postoperative complications.
Results: The mean operative time was 87.2 min for both limbs and 57.3 min for single limbs. The median number of incisions was five. Postoperative complications included an episode of cellulitis in 10 patients (2.2%), wound abscess in two patients (0.4%), hematoma in 15 patients (3.4%), residual veins in five patients (1.1%), cutaneous nerve damage in 10 patients (2.2%), and seroma in 13 patients (2.9%). No skin perforation and deep venous thrombosis were observed at the 1-year follow-up.
Conclusion: Transilluminated powered phlebectomy is an effective and safe method for the excision of varicosities.