Servier – Phlebolymphology

In this issue of Phlebolymphology, Michel Perrin continues his beautifully illustrated survey of the history of venous surgery. In the last issue (Vol 18, No. 3, 2011), after having discussed terminology, anatomy, and physiology, he gave us a wonderful overview of the history of venous surgery from the ancient Egyptians to the 19th century. In the present issue, he continues with the 20th century, including all newly described methods, some of them still controversial. Both articles are real pearls, full of information that cannot be found anywhere else in this condensed form.

Readers will certainly also enjoy the other highly interesting and relevant original articles in this issue of Phlebolymphology which contain data reported for the first time.

René Milleret from Montpellier reports the most recent results of his ingenious method of sclerosing incompetent vein trunks by superheated steam. The article not only includes his preclinical experiments, data from the literature, and his own results including follow-up experience, but also a detailed description of how this new technique should be performed. The use of small amounts of steam instead of the more aggressive physical or chemical methods seems to achieve comparable results with fewer side effects.

Françoise Pitsch, Paris, reports two large multicenter studies, the SYNERGY and SAFETY trials, which show that MPFF at a dose of 500 mg improves patient-reported symptoms after sclerotherapy of small varicose veins and telangiectasias.

Waldemar Olszewski, Warsaw, continues where he left off in his previous article in Phlebolymphology (Vol. 17, No. 3, 2010), in which he described shifts of tissue fluid induced by compression in lymphedema patients. In the present article he has added scintigraphic results which prompt a fascinating discussion of basic concepts and of the mode of action of manual lymph drainage.

The removal of incompetent superficial veins is very frequently performed, using various procedures, although the scientific evidence to justify active ablation, especially of uncomplicated varicose veins, is rather poor. Bo Eklöf, Helsingborg, together with Michel Perrin, Lyon, has reviewed randomized, controlled trials published since 1990 in which different treatment modalities have been compared. The results are presented and discussed in 8 informative tables. This is the first part of a review the second part of which will appear in a future issue of Phlebolymphology.

A book review concludes this issue of Phlebolymphology, which we hope you will appreciate.