Superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower limbs from the surgeons point of view

INTRODUCTION: A new consensus on the management of superficial thrombophlebitis (STP) from the Central European Vascular Forum (CEVF) for the diagnosis and treatment of STP recommends anticoagulation treatment either with Fondaparinux 2.5 mg for at least 45 days or with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for 4 weeks in patients with thrombosis of GSV/SSV proven by duplex ultrasonography (DUS) and with thrombus length exceeding 5 cm. The dosage and duration of anticoagulation treatment depend on the associated diseases and other risk factors for TVE. Many options for doses an duration of treatment are referred to in the literature. Emergency surgery is not recommended. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the role of DUS examination in acute ascending thrombophlebitis (ASTP) of the GSV, and demonstrate the efficiency of surgical treatment - crossectomy and phlebectomy of thrombosed GSV/SSV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors present their clinical experience with DUS diagnosis and surgical treatment of acute ascending thrombophlebitis in GSV/SSV on 66 patients with 68 operations. In two of them bilateral crossectomy was performed. In the diagnosis it is necessary to perform DUS examination after clinical diagnosis of acute thrombophlebitis. It should be done bilaterally, not only in the affected limb. DUS confirms the measure, progression and eventually ascension of the thrombosis on the trunk of the GSV/SSV and perforating veins. Progress of the thrombotic process from the thigh to the SF/SP junction is usually a matter of a few hours. Daily ultrasound assessment should therefore be performed in acute thrombophlebitis, even during anticoagulation therapy. Thrombus near the SF/SP junction is a reason for urgent surgery - crossectomy and phlebectomy. RESULTS: 66 patients were operated on under general anaesthesia without any complications. A large hematoma in the subinguinal region developed in one patient after surgery. A 50-year-old patient returned with colliquation of the residual varicose vein on the lower leg. Outpatient incision and evacuation had to be performed 3 weeks after surgery. Anticoagulation therapy with warfarin was started in two patients. The other patients were discharged 4 to 6 days following surgery without any problems. Post-operative anti-coagulation in other patients was not longer than 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: Urgent crossectomy and phlebectomy represent a reliable method of treatment in the management of acute ascending thrombophlebitis of GSV/SSV, guaranteeing prophylaxis of complications, especially in pregnant women with PT in the later phase of pregnancy. Surgical treatment destroys the damaged vein with crossectomy as a potential cause of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and STP recurrence. After anticoagulation therapy the affected vein remains in situ. It can potentially cause the recurrence of STP, and DVT and PE may develop.