Varicose veins are a common disease that cause edema, heaviness, pigmentation, and skin ulcers, ultimately affecting the quality of life. Various treatments have recently been developed; therefore, clinicians need to understand the anatomy, pathophysiology, risk factors, and symptoms of varicose veins to provide optimal treatment.Current Concepts: Lower extremity veins are composed of deep, superficial, perforating, and communicating vein systems, and the main axial superficial veins are composed of the great and small saphenous veins. Venous circulation primarily relies on muscle pumps in the foot and calf. Pressure on the sole and contraction of calf muscles compress the veins, sending blood upward or to the deep vein system. Varicose veins are caused by valvular abnormalities, muscle pump failure, etc., and associated risk factors include age, pregnancy, obesity, and family history. The main symptoms include heaviness, fatigue, and edema.Discussion and Conclusion: Varicose veins have complex anatomical structures and are developed by various factors. Therefore, appropriate treatments should be selected considering patients’ symptoms, anatomical structure, and economic aspects.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze changes in stump length over time in patients with saphenous vein incompetence treated with cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data collected from patients with saphenous vein incompetence who underwent either CAC or RFA at Seoul National University Hospital between November 2015 and December 2018. The stump lengths were measured using duplex ultrasonography (DUS) within 1 month and 6 months after treatment. The Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) score were used to assess clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 97 veins (64 great saphenous veins and 33 small saphenous veins) were analyzed. The stump length was not significantly different between the two groups at <1 month (P=0.311). However, the stump length in the CAC group was significantly longer than that in the RFA group at 6 months (P=0.004).At 6 months, the mean change in stump length was 1.41±2.28 cm in the CAC group and 0.51±0.54 cm in the RFA group (P=0.006). The VCSSs and AVVQ scores significantly improved after both procedures but were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion DUS at 6 months after treatment showed that the stump length in the CAC group increased more than that in the RFA group. No other factors affected the changes in stump length.

Inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) are effective in preventing pulmonary embolism and their usage has rapidly increased over the past decades. However, complications have also significantly increased, as IVCF occlusion causes serious chronic venous insufficiency. Herein, we report a case of infrarenal IVCF occlusion that was successfully treated with the introduction of kissing stents through the IVCF into both iliac veins. A 54-year-old male presented with non-healing ulcers on his left leg. He had undergone IVCF implantation and warfarin medication due to deep vein thrombosis 4 years earlier in another hospital. Computed tomography (CT) revealed the filter-bearing IVC occlusion. Endovascular IVCF removal was attempted but failed. Kissing stents were deployed across the IVCF and extended into both iliac veins. Cone beam CT showed well-deployed stents just behind the occluded IVCF. Venous flow was restored without complications, and the recurrent ulcer healed immediately.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze changes in stump length over time in patients with saphenous vein incompetence treated with cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data collected from patients with saphenous vein incompetence who underwent either CAC or RFA at Seoul National University Hospital between November 2015 and December 2018. The stump lengths were measured using duplex ultrasonography (DUS) within 1 month and 6 months after treatment. The Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) score were used to assess clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 97 veins (64 great saphenous veins and 33 small saphenous veins) were analyzed. The stump length was not significantly different between the two groups at <1 month (P=0.311). However, the stump length in the CAC group was significantly longer than that in the RFA group at 6 months (P=0.004).At 6 months, the mean change in stump length was 1.41±2.28 cm in the CAC group and 0.51±0.54 cm in the RFA group (P=0.006). The VCSSs and AVVQ scores significantly improved after both procedures but were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion DUS at 6 months after treatment showed that the stump length in the CAC group increased more than that in the RFA group. No other factors affected the changes in stump length.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term maintenance rate and associated factors of silicone punctal plugs in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 163 patients with SS who underwent silicone punctal plug insertion between December 2013 and July 2021 at Severance Hospital. The status of punctal plug insertions was classified into the following three categories by the clinician: maintenance, spontaneous loss, and intended removal. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the risk factors for spontaneous loss. Results: The mean maintenance period was 12.8±15.3 (median 7.07) months. The rate of spontaneous loss was 58%, and the rate of punctal plug removal by the clinician was 14%. The number of prior plug insertions was a risk factor for spontaneous loss [hazard ratio (HR) 1.055, p=0.035]. The upper eyelid punctum was at a higher risk than the lower one (p=0.042). Small-sized plugs showed a significantly higher risk for spontaneous loss than large-sized ones (HR 1.287, p=0.035). Flow-controller type plugs were more vulnerable to spontaneous loss than complete occluders [Micro FlowTM vs. EagleFlex® (HR 2.707, p=0.008) and Micro FlowTM vs. UltraplugTM (HR 3.402, p=0.005)]. The most common reason for removal was tear overflow (5.6%). Conclusion In repeated insertion, characteristics of the punctal plug, including the type and size, and location of plug insertion, influenced the spontaneous loss of plugs. The management of punctal plugs, including insertion, maintenance, and removal, requires personalized strategies for versatile situations.

PURPOSE: The dose of drug and the size of instrument are determined based on children's weight. We aimed to validate the finger counting method (FCM) for weight estimation in Korean children using the Monte Carlo simulation. METHODS: We estimated the weight of Korean children aged 1 to 9 years by the FCM. These measurements were compared with the weight extracted by the Monte Carlo simulation applied to the “2007 Korean Children and Adolescents Growth Standard”. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were measured to assess the correlation between the weight extracted by the simulation and that estimated by FCM. Bland-Altman analyses were performed to assess the agreement between the weight extracted by the simulation and that estimated by FCM and 2 other well-known pediatric weight estimation formulas (the Advanced Pediatric Life Support and Luscombe formulas). RESULTS: Data regarding 9,000 children's weight selected by age and gender was randomly extracted using the simulation. We found a positive correlation between the weight estimated by the FCM and the weight extracted (in boys, r = 0.896, P < 0.001; in girls, r = 0.899, P < 0.001). The FCM tended to underestimate weight in the children aged 7 years or old. CONCLUSION: This article suggests the usefulness of FCM in weight estimation, particularly in children younger than 7 years. With appreciation of the limitation in older children, the FCM could be applied to emergency practice.
Adolescent ; Body Weight ; Child ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Fingers* ; Humans ; Methods* ; Monte Carlo Method ; Resuscitation

A 58-year-old male patient with severe claudication due to thrombosis of the left ilio-femoro-popliteal artery aneurysm. He also had a venous stasis ulcer with a history of multiple embolotherapy of arteriovenous malformation. Duplex sonography revealed reflux and varicose veins of the left great saphenous vein (GSV). A sequential bypass surgery was performed that consisted of excision of the left external iliac and common femoral artery aneurysm, external iliac to deep femoral interposition with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft, and femoro-posterior tibial artery bypass with the reversed left GSV. Symptoms of claudication were alleviated and the chronic ulcer was healed in time. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful bypass in a patient with arterial aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, and venous insufficiency that can be diagnosed as an atypical case of Parkes Weber syndrome. Long-term follow-up is needed to define the fate of aneurysms and varicose vein graft.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Popliteal Artery ; Saphenous Vein ; Sturge-Weber Syndrome ; Thrombosis ; Tibial Arteries ; Transplants ; Ulcer ; Varicose Ulcer ; Varicose Veins ; Venous Insufficiency

Purpose: Native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the first choice for hemodialysis access; however, the maturation failure rate remains high. Hence, balloon-assisted maturation (BAM) is increasingly being used to overcome maturation failure. This study evaluated the outcomes of BAM and compared the differences between radial-cephalic (RC) and brachial-cephalic (BC) AVF. Materials and Methods: Between January 2013 and December 2017, 1,622 new AVFs were created. BAM was considered if the AVF did not satisfy the criteria for hemodynamic maturation (6-mm diameter and 500-mL/min flow rate within 8 weeks after the operation). Results: Of the 1,622 AVFs, BAM was performed in 142 patients (8.75%). There were 92 RC and 50 BC AVFs. Multivariate analyses revealed that ipsilateral central vein catheter history was the sole risk factor for maturation failure after BAM. Oneyear functional primary patency (FPP) and functional secondary patency (FSP) in RC AVFs were higher than those in BC AVFs without statistical significance (FPP, RC vs. BC: 70.9% vs. 50.9%, P=0.099; FSP, 95.5% vs. 81.1%, P=0.146). Further, based on the multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for FPP in the RC and BC AVFs were the number of BAMs (odds ratio [OR], 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-8.37; P=0.03) and age (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00-1.07; P=0.04), respectively. Conclusion BAM is a relatively good salvage method with tolerable patency. However, the risk factors for patency and the outcomes of BAM differ between RC and BC AVFs.

Purpose: Native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the first choice for hemodialysis access; however, the maturation failure rate remains high. Hence, balloon-assisted maturation (BAM) is increasingly being used to overcome maturation failure. This study evaluated the outcomes of BAM and compared the differences between radial-cephalic (RC) and brachial-cephalic (BC) AVF. Materials and Methods: Between January 2013 and December 2017, 1,622 new AVFs were created. BAM was considered if the AVF did not satisfy the criteria for hemodynamic maturation (6-mm diameter and 500-mL/min flow rate within 8 weeks after the operation). Results: Of the 1,622 AVFs, BAM was performed in 142 patients (8.75%). There were 92 RC and 50 BC AVFs. Multivariate analyses revealed that ipsilateral central vein catheter history was the sole risk factor for maturation failure after BAM. Oneyear functional primary patency (FPP) and functional secondary patency (FSP) in RC AVFs were higher than those in BC AVFs without statistical significance (FPP, RC vs. BC: 70.9% vs. 50.9%, P=0.099; FSP, 95.5% vs. 81.1%, P=0.146). Further, based on the multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for FPP in the RC and BC AVFs were the number of BAMs (odds ratio [OR], 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-8.37; P=0.03) and age (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00-1.07; P=0.04), respectively. Conclusion BAM is a relatively good salvage method with tolerable patency. However, the risk factors for patency and the outcomes of BAM differ between RC and BC AVFs.

Purpose: Studies in western countries have shown a decline in the incidence of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) with advancements in endovascular repair and screening. However, according to health insurance data in Korea based on rAAA code (I71.3), overall rAAA has been increasing. This study aimed to validate the I71.3 code for rAAA and attempt to define the true incidence of rAAA in Korea. Methods: A 20-year multicenter retrospective review of rAAA was undertaken from the period of January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2020. All patients were diagnosed with the rAAA code I71.3 in each of the 4 hospitals. The CT images and surgical records of these patients were reviewed to differentiate true rAAA and misdiagnosis. Further data on true rAAA patient outcomes including mortality and treatment success were also collected. Results: A total of 305 rAAA (I71.3) codes were identified in the 4 centers. However, medical record review showed true rAAA in only 131 (43.0%). The remaining 174 cases (57.0%) were misdiagnosed. Impending ruptures were the most common misdiagnoses (37.9%). The total in-hospital mortality including deaths before treatment was 38.9% (n = 51), while mortality of treated patients was 24.4% (n = 15). Conclusion The analysis of I71.3 code for rAAA showed that only 43.0% were true rAAA and the remaining 57.0% were misdiagnosed. This indicates that the I71.3 code is overestimated in National Health Insurance-based data and that the true incidence of rAAA could be much lower.