Evaluation of clinical results of esmarch bandage application in giant saphenous vein closure during endovenous glue ablation.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the endovenous technique has been presented as a good alternative to surgery in the treatment of patients with lower extremity varicose veins. However, its effectiveness in very advanced saphenous vein diameters is controversial. In this study, we investigated the results of an endovenous glue ablation closure system applied with an esmarch bandage in saphenous veins with very large diameters.

METHODS: Eighty-nine patients who were operated on for varicose veins were divided into three groups according to their saphenous vein diameters: less than 10 mm (group 1), between 10 and 15 mm (group 2), and larger than 15 mm (group 3). Endovenous closure was performed with n-butyl cyanoacrylate in all patients. An esmarch bandage was applied during the procedure to all patients, except for the group with a diameter of less than 10 mm. This group underwent the standard procedure. All patients were followed up for six months after the procedure and postoperative symptoms, complications and closure rates were recorded.

RESULTS: There was complete closure of all veins in the first month postoperatively. While no thrombophlebitis was observed in group 3, thrombophlebitis was detected in two patients in groups 1 and 2. In the third month, minimal saphenofemoral reflux was observed in two (4.2%) patients in group 1 and in one (4.3%) in group 2. In the sixth month, minimal saphenofemoral reflux was detected in three (6.3%) patients in group 1 and in one (4.3%) in group 2. No residual leakage was observed in group 3 ( p = 0.001). In all groups, the severity score regressed significantly in the postoperative sixth month. However, the most significant symptomatic regression was observed in group 3, which had the largest saphenous diameters and we used an esmarch bandage during closure ( p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION: Our findings support the idea that the application of an esmarch bandage during endovenous closure improves clinical outcomes, especially in saphenous veins with larger diameters.