[Arterial complications following surgery or sclerotherapy of varices]

Surgical treatment of varicose veins occasionally can be followed by severe limb ischemia either after surgery or sclerotherapy. We report here two cases with the clinical features and the therapeutic strategy. The first case concerned a woman operated by venous stripping. A post-operative acute ischemia occurred and was treated by femoro-femoral bypass and lumbar sympathectomy. However this procedure did not avoid persistent chronic ischemia, sciatica paralysis and equinus ankle blockage. A secondary arterial procedure associated with intensive physiotherapy and ankle arthrodesis led to a poor functional result, partly because of an irreversible algodystrophia. The second case concerned a woman treated by sclerotherapy. An injection of the drug in the retro-malleolar area was immediately followed by an acute foot ischemia. Heparin, xylocaine and sodium nitroprusside perfusion avoided a foot amputation, however osteoporosis and algodystrophia occurred. A sympathectomy was necessary two years later. These dramatic complications although unusual, may occur even with experienced physicians. Therefore a great attention is always necessary during these simple procedures. In case of acute ischemia, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are necessary, but prevention remains more secure.