SUBFASCIAL ENDOSCOPIC PERFORATOR VEIN SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF SEVERE VARICOSE VEINS

Surgical treatment of severe varicose veins (CEAP classification : C4b-C6) should involve not only interruption of incompetent superficial veins to prevent venous regurgitation due to valve incompetence but also interruption of incompetent perforator veins. Subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS) is performed via a small skin incision and involves interruption of perforator veins by the insertion of an endoscope into the subfascial space. SEPS produces good surgical outcomes: it is accurate in detecting and transecting perforator veins; has a low frequency of surgical wound complications; prevents lipodermatosclerosis and formation of pigmented skin lesions; and is minimally invasive compared with Linton's operation. Thus, SEPS is an excellent procedure for patients with incompetent perforator veins. SEPS has been covered by the Japanese national health insurance system since April 2014, and it is expected that SEPS will be further developed and become more widespread in use.