[Temporary tamponing of the canal while removing the great saphenous vein in elderly patients]

The purpose of the study was to optimize the technique of removing the trunk of the great saphenous vein (GSV) in patients over 60 years. The study included a total of eighty-five patients aged over 60 years and presenting with primary varicose veins of the lower limbs and undergoing operations performed on the superficial venous system, including all stages of classical phlebectomy - crossectomy, stripping of the GSV, removal of tributaries and ligation of incompetent perforant veins. The patients were divided into two groups: the Study Group (n=44) patients endured removal of the GSV with the use of the technique of temporal tamponing of the canal, while in Group Two patients, composing a comparison group (n=41), the GSV was removed without the use of a tampon. The groups of the patients were comparable by the main characteristics, as well as by the CEAP class and the types of the operations performed. The results of treatment were studied clinically with the use of the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS). In the Study Group patients, the average VCSS score decreased from 1.52±0.11 to 0.47±0.05 (p=0.007) and in the Comparison Group from 1.21±0.11 to 0.85±0.06 (p=0.028). In the remote terms after the operation, in the Study Group patients the average VCSS score appeared to be 2 times lower than in the control group, amounting to 0.47±0.05 and 0.85±0.06, respectively (p=0.007). A conclusion was drawn that in surgical treatment of varicose veins in elderly and aged patients while removing the grate saphenous vein, it is appropriate to use the technique of temporary tamponing of the canal, which is associated with better results in the remote period as compared to the traditional stripping.