Role of PTFE Patch Saphenoplasty in Reducing Neovascularization and Recurrence in Varicose Veins

Abstract

Varicose veins have a high recurrence rate following surgery. Besides poor surgical technique, majority of these recurrences are attributable to neovascularization after both primary and repeat surgery. Authors have studied the effectiveness of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch interposition between the ligated vein stump and the overlying soft tissue at saphenofemoral junction in decreasing recurrence of varicose veins after initial surgery. Study was conducted on 50 patients of varicose veins with saphenofemoral junction incompetence. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, group A and group B alternately. In group A, standard surgical procedure was done followed by PTFE patch application. In group B, same surgical procedure was applied as in group A, with the exception of PTFE patch application. Patients in both groups were given similar postoperative care. A full venous duplex ultrasound assessment was performed in all the patients postoperatively. Neovascularization was observed in five patients (20 %) of group B, while it was not seen in any of the patients in group A at 1-year follow-up. This difference in neovascularization across the two groups was found to be statistically significant with a p value of 0.0251. Hence, authors concluded that patch saphenoplasty helps in reducing recurrence in varicose veins by decreasing neovascularization at saphenofemoral junction.