Effect of saphenous vein diameter and reflux time on stump length after cyanoacrylate closure

Cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) has recently been introduced for the treatment of incompetent saphenous veins. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the correlation of the saphenous vein diameter and reflux time (RT) with the stump length after CAC. A retrospective review was performed using prospectively collected data of CAC patients. The pre-operative saphenous vein diameter and RT were measured. The stump length was measured immediately after the procedure and at 1 week. Pearson's correlation analysis was applied to determine the correlation between the saphenous vein diameter or RT and stump length. A total of 32 saphenous veins were closed in 21 patients, 15 of whom were female. The mean age was 56.9±12.6 years (range, 31-73 years). Complete closure was achieved in all patients. The pre-operative mean diameter was 7.0±2.2 mm. The mean stump lengths were 26.1±10.2 and 28.1±13.6 mm on post-operative days 0 and 7, respectively (P=0.002). The Pearson coefficients for the correlation between the saphenous vein diameter and stump length on post-operative days 0 and 7 were 0.528 (P=0.005) and 0.177 (P=0.430), respectively. Furthermore, the Pearson coefficients for the correlation between the RT and stump length on post-operative days 0 and 7 were -0.215 (P=0.282) and 0.019 (P=0.938), respectively. In conclusion, CAC is effective modality for the treatment of saphenous vein insufficiency. The stump length increased with the diameter of the saphenous veins, while the RT had no marked effect on the stump length. Therefore, the glue injection should be initiated from the instructed position to avoid glue extension into deep veins and to prevent elongating the stump length.