Subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery

Purpose The complication rate in patients treated with the Linton procedure was unacceptably high. SEPS is minimal invasive treatment modality for chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulcers. Materials and Methods252 limbs of 229 patients who underwent SEPS procedure and/or safenous vein ablati...on from May 2003 to January 2008. Tourniquet was not used and two-port technique was preferred for operation. Skin graft was not used. Honeysoft (medical honey) was used for wound care in selected cases. Results According to CEAP clinical Classification 112 limbs were class 6, 70 limbs (class 5), 70 limbs (Class4) respectively. Greater saphenous vein stripping and/or high ligation, and varicose vein excision accompanied SEPS in 241limbs who had combined Sapheno-femoral junction and perforator vein insufficiencyand SEPS was performed alone 23 limbs who had recanalised deep venous thrombosis (19) and PVI alone(4). Mean patient follow-up was 35 months. No early deaths or thromboembolism occurred. Complications included severe subcutaneous emphysema(1), neuralgia (7), 1 year later cellulites (1). Ulcers healed in 124 limbs in two months and 58 limbs in 3 months. ulcer recurrence was seen on 12(%6.6) limbs. Clinical severity and disability scores improved significantly after surgery. Conclusion All venous ulcers healed with SEPS combined or not ablation of superficial venous reflux and remain healed 5 year period and symptom-free except recurrent ulcers during the long-term follow-up. SEPS is an effective and safety treatment modality.