V O L U M E 1 6 , N U M BE R 11 • N O VE M BE R 2 0 09

W W W .V EN O U S D I G E S T. C O M

© 2 0 0 9 J OHN J . B ERG A N, M D, I NC. V E NO US DI G E ST, 9 8 5 0 G EN ES E E AV E NUE , S UI T E 41 0 , L A JO L L A , CA ( 8 5 8 ) 5 5 0 - 0 3 3 0

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V O L U M E 1 6 , N U M BE R 11 • N O VE M BE R 2 0 09

IN THIS ISSUE

Endovenous la ser ablation

of the s mall sa phenous vein:

prospective analysis of 15 0

patie nts, a cohort study.

Huisman LC, Bruins RM,

van den Berg M, Hissink RJ.

Vasc Endovasc Surg (2009)

38, 199-202

Abstract and Commentary by

Mitchel P. Goldman, MD,

La Jolla, California

Closure of the cribriform

fascia: an efficient ana tomi-

c al ba rrier against postopera-

tive neovascularisation at the

sa phenofemora l junction, a

prospective study.

De Maeseneer MG, Philipsen TE,

Vandenbroeck CP, et. al. Schill.

Vasc Endovasc Surg 2007,

34, 361-6

Abstract and Commentary by

Reinhard Fischer, MD,

Wattwil, Switzerland

BOOK REVIEW

Manua le Di Flebologia

Esperienza della Scuola

Senese

By Prof. Sergio Mancini

Laris Editrice

Reviewed by John J. Bergan, MD,

La Jolla, California

PRESS RELEASE

ACP Wins Bid to Host

2 013 UIP World Congress

in Boston

Nick Morrison, MD,

ACP Pre sident Elected

UIP Vice -President

Upc oming Events

© 2 0 0 9 J OHN J . B ERG A N, M D, I NC. V E NO US DI G E ST, 9 8 5 0 G EN ES E E AV E NUE , S UI T E 41 0 , L A JO L L A , CA ( 8 5 8 ) 5 5 0 - 0 3 3 0

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Endovenous laser ablation of the small saphenous vein:

prospective analysis of 150 patients, a cohort study.

Huisman LC, Bruins RM, van den Berg M, Hissink RJ.

Vasc Endovasc Surg (2009) 38, 199-202

Abstract and Commentary by Mitchel P. Goldman, MD, La Jolla, California

Abstract

The authors performed a three-month evaluation of the

safety and efficacy of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of

the small saphenous vein (SSV) in 150 consecutive patients.

Two patients (1.3%) had sural nerve paralysis and 6 patients

developed superficial thrombophlebitis. The aim of the study

was to assess whether EVLA of the SSV provided similar

safety and efficacy as have been achieved with treating the

great saphenous vein (GSV). The procedure was performed

under local tumescent anesthesia without the addition of

sclerotherapy or phlebectomy for residual veins. However, 56

patients received sclerotherapy and one patient underwent

phlebectomy 6 weeks after the procedure. Therefore, there

was only a 6-week follow-up in over one-third of patients who

underwent a second procedure.

Commentary

The short-term follow-up in “concluding" that a procedure is

effective is concerning. In addition, how can one conclude that

the EVLA of the SSV is effective when over 1/3 of patients

required additional treatment. The authors’ conclusions

to their study mirror mine: “A randomized trial, comparing

surgical treatment with endovenous laser ablation with at

least two year follow-up, should be performed to assess the

relative efficacy and complications of these treatments."

Continued

NEW LOOK

With this issue we launch a new look fo r the

Venous Digest

. It has been n early

te n years since its last redesign. We thought it was time to bring a new look, a

new rhythm to the

Digest

that reflects the changing needs of our rapidly growing

readership. The new design optimizes readability while it utilizes fully the

capabilities of electronic publishing technology.

Our goal since we b egan publishing more than fifteen years ago remains un-

chan ged: to create a dynamic, relevant publication that medical professionals

and others in the allied fields would consider intere sting, important and even

indispensible to developin g knowled ge in the robust field of venous disorders.

–

John Bergan