Contrasting effects of varicose vein surgery on endothelial-dependent and -independent cutaneous vasodilation in the perimalleolar region.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of varicose vein surgery on cutaneous microvascular perfusion and vasodilator responses to acetylcholine (Ach) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in the gaiter area of patients with great saphenous vein insufficiency.

METHODS

Twenty-nine patients with isolated great saphenous vein incompetence attended three study mornings (before surgery, and 6-8 weeks and 6 months after sapheno-femoral ligation+partial stripping) during which cutaneous microvascular responses were measured in the supine and standing positions using laser Doppler fluximetry (LDF) combined with incremental-dose iontophoretic administration of endothelial-dependent (Ach) and -independent (SNP) vasodilators.

RESULTS

Varicose vein surgery had no significant effect on baseline cutaneous perfusion or the microvascular response to Ach: e.g. peak vasodilator responses to the 1000 microC stimulus were mean 58 SEM 7, 64 SEM 6 and 65 SEM 7PU on the pre-operative, 6-8 weeks and 6 months assessments. In contrast, the corresponding responses to SNP were significantly increased following surgery: e.g. at 2000 microC, mean 63 SEM 9, 142 SEM 4 and 157 SEM 9PU (p<0.0001) in the upright position.

CONCLUSIONS

Sapheno-femoral ligation and partial stripping in patients with great saphenous vein insufficiency improves endothelial-independent cutaneous vasodilator function at the gaiter area, which may at least partly explain the benefits of surgery in reducing the risk of venous ulceration.