[Cryosurgery and endoscopy in the treatment of varicose veins]

Multiplex wide incisions and often deforming scars following varicose surgery are out of date. Nowadays cryoprobes are used to remove epifascial varicose veins, while endoscopy is used to treat transfascial (perforating) venous insufficiency. We analyse the results of 1000 cryovaricectomies performed in the last 8 years. Complications developed in 5.8%, mostly were self-limiting. It is a fast operation, offering good aesthetic result, and hospital stay is short. Subfascial endoscopic perforating veins surgery (SEPS) have been carried out in 2 years in 28 patients, 8 had active ulcers, combined operation have been performed in 20 patients. There were 3 wound complications, which was a very good result compared with high complication rate of earlier used open divisions. The biggest advantage of the procedure is, that it can be performed even if the ulcer is active, since the operation is performed on intact area. Both methods meet the requirements of minimal invasive surgery, with excellent cosmetic and functional results.