Authors: Vardanian, Andrew J.; Cao, Huynh L.; Lawrence, Peter F.

Source: The American Surgeon, Volume 73, Number 10, October 2007 , pp. 1067-1070(4)

Publisher: Southeastern Surgical Congress

Abstract:

Light-assisted stab phlebectomy (LASP) is a technique that we have developed for treatment of lower extremity varicose veins. It combines powered and stab phlebectomy with minimally invasive surgical instruments to optimize intraoperative visualization of varicose veins and to remove branch veins with minimal bruising, hematoma, or pain. The early experience with this technique has not been reported. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who underwent LASP to characterize the associated perioperative experience and to identify postoperative factors that indicated a successful outcome. From 2004 to 2006, LASP was performed on 268 limbs to remove lower extremity branch veins. The majority of patients were women (75%), and the mean age was 52 years. A group of 184 patients underwent LASP in combination with another procedure, and 49 patients underwent LASP alone. Nearly all patients had conscious sedation for anesthesia (99%); operating room time averaged 44 minutes, and blood loss averaged 88 cc. Immediate postoperative complications were infrequent, occurring in 10 per cent of patients, and included unresected or missed veins, hematoma, and cellulitis. LASP provides improved visualization of branch veins and allows varicose veins to be removed with a short operating room time and minor postoperative complications.

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: From the University of California Los Angeles, Division of Vascular Surgery, Gonda (Goldschmied) Vascular Center, Los Angeles, California

Publication date: 2007-10-01

More about this publication?

• The Southeastern Surgical Congress owns and publishes The American Surgeon monthly. It is the official journal of the Congress and the Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, which all members receive each month. The journal brings up to date clinical advances in surgical knowledge in a popular reference format. In addition to publishing papers presented at the annual meetings of the associated organizations, the journal publishes selected unsolicited manuscripts. If you have a manuscript you'd like to see published in The American Surgeon select "Information for Authors" from the Related Information options below. A Copyright Release Form must accompany all manuscripts submitted.
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• Membership Information
• Information for Advertisers
• Terms & Conditions
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Surgery
• By this author: Vardanian, Andrew J. ;  Cao, Huynh L. ;  Lawrence, Peter F.

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers