[Acute superficial thrombophlebitis--modern diagnosis and therapy]

Acute superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities is one of the most common vascular diseases affecting the population. Although it is generally considered as a benign disease, it can be extended to the deep venous system and pulmonary embolism. We examined 50 patients (22 males and 28 females), mean age 52.5 years. These patients were surgically treated due to acute superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower limbs that affected great saphenous vein above the knee. The diagnosis was made by palpable subcutaneous cords in the course of great saphenous vein or its tributaries in association with tenderness, erythema and oedema. Of these 50 patients, 26 were examined by duplex ultrasonography before the operation. In 20 patients duplex scanning confirmed that the process was greater than we supposed after clinical examination (77%) and in 6 patients there were no differences (23%) (Figures 1 and 2). The operation included crossectomy, ligation and resection of the proximal part of the great saphenous vein. Intraoperative findings in 38 patients showed that the level of the phlebitic process was higher than the clinical level (76%). There was no difference in 12 patients (24%). Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism were noted in 14 patients (28%) (Tables 1 and 2). Both complications were found in two patients, and 12 had one of these complications. Generally, there were 12 patients with deep venous thrombosis and 4 patients with pulmonary embolism. Only in one patient deep venous thrombosis appeared postoperatively, while all other complications occurred before surgical intervention (Scheme 1 and Table 3). The most common risk factor was the presence of varicose veins (86%). Obesity, age over 60 years, cigarette smoking are listed in decreasing order of frequency. Patients under 60 years were more likely to have complications while older patients usually followed a benign clinical course (Tables 4 and 5). There was no intrahospital mortality. Average hospitalization was 5.7 days. It was 4 days in patients without complications. After thes urgent operation that practically removed the risk of potentially fatal consequences, the patients were dismissed from hospital. New hospitalization was recommended after two weeks when the second act of surgical treatment was performed. It included stripping of the great saphenous vein and extirpation of varicose veins in the area without acute inflammation. The findings of this study confirm the general opinion that acute superficial thrombophlebitis is a very common vascular disease with usually "benign" clinical course. In its ascending form that affects the great saphenous vein above the knee it can be associated with deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The level of phlebitic process is usually much higher than can be palpated clinically. Duplex scanning was a highly reliable, precise, fast non-invasive diagnostic method that is necessary in examining, following and making decision for operative treatment of acute superficial thrombophlebitis. If suspected complications an urgent surgical intervention should be performed. It is short and efficient, contributing to the fast recovery of the patients and their return to normal activities.