Endoscopic versus open subfascial ligation in the treatment of perforator incompetence of varicose vein in terms of post operative pain and cosmetic outcome – one year observational study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Varicose veins are defined as dilated palpable subcutaneous veins, generally larger than 4mm in the upright position. Severity of the disease may vary from telangiectatic veins to venous ulceration. Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) is a new, minimally invasive technique performed in patients with advanced chronic venous insufficiency, enables surgeons to address perforator vein incompetence less invasively, with small upper calf incisions remote from severely diseased skin in the distal leg, with less surgical complications compared to open subfascial perforator ligation. AIM: To compare the post operative pain in patients undergoing surgery for varicose veins secondary to perforator incompetence of lower limb by Subfascial endoscopic versus open subfascial ligation using visual analogue scale and cosmetic outcome on basis of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale.