2009 Volume 20 Issue 3 Pages 251-255
External banding valvuloplasty for deep vein with additional procedures (high ligation and stripping of saphenous vein etc.) were performed in 8 limbs of 8 patients with deep venous valve incompetence between June 2004 and November 2007. Air plethysmography was used to evaluate venous function. The mean follow-up period was 29.5 months. All patients showed the improved symptoms as early results. Reflux of the femoral vein by descending venography improved from grade 3.7 to 2.0 after surgery. The venous filling index by air plethysmography was also improved from 11.3 ml/sec to 2.6 ml/sec. It is important to fix the banding materials to the vein and to observe the reflux with intraoperative angioscopy. There were one case of wound lymphorrhoea and one case of delay in wound healing as postoperative complications. We avoided postoperative deep vein thrombosis which may be induced by using angioscopy by antithrombotic therapy such as warfarin for one month after surgery. Conclusions: External banding valvuloplasty for primary deep venous valve incompetence was an effective treatment option, especially in the mild reflux case or as an auxiliary procedure for internal valvuloplasty.
