BACKGROUND: Traumatic injuries affecting the veins in the lower extremities have been correlated with both mortality and severe complications. Venous injuries are recognized as a contributing factor to the development of venous thromboembolism, commonly treated through procedures involving either vein ligation or repair. Despite previous efforts, substantial uncertainty remains when it comes to choosing between the execution of ligation versus various reparative techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term results of surgically treating traumatic venous injuries through repair compared to ligation, specifically examining the resulting impacts on trauma patients in relation to DVT and PE occurrences.
METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy was employed until August 10, 2023, to systematically explore Scopus and PubMed databases. Following the removal of duplicates, two researchers independently assessed the titles and abstracts of the identified studies. Only studies meeting the project\'s requirements and inclusion criteria, as evaluated through their full texts, were included in our investigation. Our study exclusively focused on original articles, specifically those involving human trauma patients with isolated popliteal vein injuries. Excluded from consideration were review articles, meta-analyses, cellular and molecular research, animal studies, case reports, case series, letters to the editor, posters, duplicates, and publications in languages other than English. The implementation of this systematic review and meta-analysis conformed to the standards delineated in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).
RESULTS: Conducting a thorough search, the inquiry identified 248 records. The assessment of titles and abstracts led to 51 studies that had the potential for eligibility. After reviewing the full texts of the chosen studies, 4 studies involving 1521 patients constituted the ultimate findings.
CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the ligation procedure had a higher incidence of pulmonary embolism compared to the repair of vein injuries, while the repair procedure had a higher incidence of deep vein thrombosis than ligation. Additional large-scale randomized controlled trials are still necessary to further support the findings of this meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to introduce the clinical application value of popliteal vein puncture in the supine position under ultrasound guidance and compare this method with popliteal vein puncture in the prone position.
METHODS: Endovascular operations for nonthrombotic iliac vein lesion patients using popliteal vein access were performed during the period from July 2019 to August 2022 at the Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, and Shanghai Xuhui District Central Hospital. Patients were randomly divided into supine position group and prone position group. All of the patients were punctured under ultrasound guidance. The procedure duration time for popliteal vein puncture, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the 2 groups.
RESULTS: Totally 120 patients were included in this study, in which 60 patients were enrolled in the supine position group and 60 patients were enrolled in the prone position group. The median procedure time from puncture to iliofemoral venography was 5.97 min (interquartile range 5.78 min-6.03 min) and 28.76 min (interquartile range 26.84 min-29.83 min; P < 0.01 (in the supine position and prone position group, respectively. The median time from puncture to access sheath insertion was 5.05 min (interquartile range 4.88 min-5.13 min) and 5.03 min (interquartile range 4.93 min-5.12 min; P = 0.607) in the supine position and prone position groups, respectively. The median VAS value was 3 (interquartile range 2-3) and 8 (interquartile range 7-9, P < 0.01) in the supine position and prone position groups, respectively. In the supine position group, one case of arterial branch injury was observed after operation and was successfully managed by ultrasound-guided compression.
CONCLUSIONS: Popliteal vein puncture in the supine position under ultrasound guidance is safe, significantly reduces the overall operation time without changing position, and relieves the discomfort of patients.

BACKGROUND: Although the popliteal vein approach is commonly used for catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) treatment in patients with acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), CDT via a new access route, the posterior tibial vein, is also used and has demonstrated good results. However, this tibial approach has not been tested in large samples.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the early efficacy of CDT using the tibial and popliteal vein approaches for the treatment of acute mixed lower extremity DVT.
METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 87 patients with acute mixed lower extremity DVT treated at the Department of Interventional Medicine of Zhuhai People\'s Hospital were enrolled; those with tibial vein access and popliteal vein access were included in the observation (n = 55) and control (n = 32) groups, respectively. The safety and efficacy of CDT via tibial vein access were investigated by collecting and comparing indicators such as venous patency, thrombus removal effect, thigh and calf circumference difference, swelling reduction rate of the affected limb, surgical complications, and post-discharge complication rate of the patients in the two groups.
RESULTS: The postoperative thrombus clearance effect of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group (P < 0.05), and the postoperative venous patency rate of the observation group was 83.2 ± 15.7%, which was higher than that of the control group (62.2 ± 38.2%) (P = 0.005). The swelling reduction rate of the lower extremity was 74.0 ± 33.8% in the observation group and 51.4 ± 30.0% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.002). However, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in the rates of thigh swelling reduction, bleeding-related complications, or postoperative complications between the two groups of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: CDT via the tibial vein approach is safe, effective, and may be a better approach for CDT access, offering superior thrombus clearance, venous patency, and lower extremity swelling reduction postoperatively.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there is a significant difference in image quality between the deep learning reconstruction (DLR [AiCE, Advanced Intelligent Clear-IQ Engine]) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR [AIDR 3D, adaptive iterative dose reduction three dimensional]) algorithms on the conventional enhanced and CE-boost (contrast-enhancement-boost) images of indirect computed tomography venography (CTV) of lower extremities.
METHODS: In this retrospective study, seventy patients who underwent CTV from June 2021 to October 2022 to assess deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins were included. Unenhanced and enhanced images were reconstructed for AIDR 3D and AiCE, AIDR 3D-boost and AiCE-boost images were obtained using subtraction software. Objective and subjective image qualities were assessed, and radiation doses were recorded.
RESULTS: The CT values of the inferior vena cava (IVC), femoral vein ( FV), and popliteal vein (PV) in the CE-boost images were approximately 1.3 (1.31-1.36) times higher than in those of the enhanced images. There were no significant differences in mean CT values of IVC, FV, and PV between AIDR 3D and AiCE, AIDR 3D-boost and AiCE-boost images. Noise in AiCE, AiCE-boost images was significantly lower than in AIDR 3D and AIDR 3D-boost images ( P < 0.05). The SNR (signal-to-noise ratio), CNR (contrast-to-noise ratio), and subjective scores of AiCE-boost images were the highest among 4 groups, surpassing AiCE, AIDR 3D, and AIDR 3D-boost images (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: In indirect CTV of the lower extremities images, DLR with the CE-boost technique could decrease the image noise and improve the CT values, SNR, CNR, and subjective image scores. AiCE-boost images received the highest subjective image quality score and were more readily accepted by radiologists.

BACKGROUND In various situations such as pain, exposure to hot or cold, and mental stress, where physiological stress occurs, the increased excitatory response in the sympathetic efferent neurons leads to an increased return of blood flow from the peripheral veins to the right atrium. The cold pressor test (CPT) is based on the effects of a cold stimulus that activates afferent sensory pathways to trigger a sympathetic response, resulting in an increase in blood pressure. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the cold pressor test on popliteal vein diameter, flow velocity, and blood flow in the lower limbs in 60 healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 30 men and 30 women age 18-40 years. Baseline vein diameter, flow velocity, and blood flow of the left popliteal vein were measured by Doppler ultrasound, then the left hand was immersed in a bucket of cold water. After immersing the hand in cold water for 1 minute (CPT-1), 3 measurements of vein diameter, flow velocity, and blood flow were taken again, and their averages were calculated. RESULTS In the study, data obtained from the individuals were statistically analyzed. At CPT-1, venous diameter and flow values showed significant increase compared to baseline (P=0.001, P<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In healthy volunteers, CPT increases venous flow in the popliteal veins. However, our study did not provide evidence for the hypothesis that the increase in venous return is due to venoconstriction mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether differences exist in the quality of life changes and complication rates after treatment of incompetent saphenous vein (ISV) based on the presence of segmental popliteal vein reflux (SPVR).
METHODS: Patients who underwent treatment for ISV from July 2016 to July 2021 were included and divided into two groups: patients without deep venous reflux (DVR) and patients with SPVR. Patients with axial DVR, a history of deep vein thrombosis, a history of orthopedic surgery, previous venous treatment, and no postoperative follow-up were excluded from the study. Duplex ultrasound examination was performed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively.
RESULTS: The study included 233 patients (398 limbs), and 50 (64 limbs) had SPVR. Differences were not observed in gender, age, body mass index, distribution of clinical class according to Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Physiology classification, laterality, treatment method, and preoperative Venous Clinical Severity Score or Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire scores between the two groups with SPVR or without DVR. Furthermore, the Venous Clinical Severity Score and Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire scores at 6 and 12 months postoperatively were improved in both groups, although without significant differences. A significant difference was not observed in the rate of postoperative complications between the groups based on the presence of SPVR (1.8% vs 1.6%: P = .896). The SPVR improvement rate after ISV treatment was 25% (16/64), and patient-reported outcomes in patients combined with SPVR improved independent of treatment modality, saphenous vein treatment section, and postoperative SPVR improvement.
CONCLUSIONS: Complication rates and clinical outcomes after ISV treatment did not differ in the presence of SPVR. In patients with SPVR, after ISV treatment, quality of life improved regardless of treatment modality, saphenous vein treatment section, and postoperative SPVR improvement.

A woman in her 80s was admitted to the emergency department with an acute infective exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type 2 respiratory failure, culminating in cardiac arrest for 2 min. She was successfully resuscitated, connected to a mechanical ventilator and subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit. Later in her hospital stay, the patient underwent a tracheostomy following prolonged intubation.During this period, she developed septic shock with complications, including acute kidney injury, metabolic acidosis and volume overload. As a result, the nephrologist recommended emergency haemodialysis. Initially, a left femoral haemodialysis catheter was established but had to be withdrawn a few days later due to the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A left internal jugular catheter was then inserted but was removed after 5 days due to another DVT. It was subsequently replaced with a central line for vasopressor support.A Doppler scan revealed a large thrombus in the right internal jugular vein, extending to the area just above the superior vena cava. A similar thrombus was detected in the left internal jugular vein, with weak blood flow observed in both the right and left subclavian veins. Although the subclavian vein flows were deemed adequate, there was unsatisfactory blood flow through the catheter after insertion, rendering it unsuitable for haemodialysis.Due to an earlier central line-related infection, the right femoral site exhibited signs of infection and the presence of a pus pocket, making it unsuitable for haemodialysis access. To address this, the right popliteal vein was chosen for catheterisation using a 20-cm, 12 French catheter, the longest available catheter in the country at the time. The patient was placed in a prone position, and the catheter was smoothly inserted with ultrasound guidance, resulting in good flow. Subsequent haemodialysis sessions were carried out regularly.

UNASSIGNED: Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a relatively rare cause of arterial insufficiency in young and physically active individuals; however, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can develop in association with PAES.
UNASSIGNED: A 47-year-old man presented with a 6-day history of left leg swelling and discomfort which was diagnosed as DVT extending to the distal femoral vein and pulmonary embolism on computed tomography (CT). PAES was not suspected at this time, and the patient was administered anticoagulants for 1 year. Two years after the DVT diagnosis, the patient developed sudden-onset left calf claudication for 1 week. Repeat CT angiography showed popliteal artery (PA) occlusion caused by PA displacement from an abnormally lateral insertion of the medial gastrocnemius head. A retrospective review of the initial CT scan confirmed this, as well as compression of the popliteal vein between the displaced medial head and the normal lateral head of the gastrocnemius. The patient eventually underwent myotomy and resection of the PA with an interposition graft.
UNASSIGNED: This case underscores the potential of PAES as a rare etiology of DVT, emphasizing the importance of considering it in the differential diagnosis of DVT in younger patients lacking common predisposing factors.

Popliteal vein entrapment syndrome (PVES) is a rare subtype of popliteal entrapment syndrome that leads to symptoms of chronic venous stasis. We report a case of isolated PVES in a young patient associated with an accessory slip of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle. The patient underwent resection of the anomalous muscle, and the symptoms were relieved postoperatively. PVES should be considered in young patients with unexplained symptoms or signs of venous stasis. Surgical resection of the causative lesion compressing the popliteal vein is indicated for selected patients.

BACKGROUND: Lymphaticovenous anastomosis is widely used in lymphedema management. Although its effectiveness in reducing edema in patients can be clinically observed, evaluating the long-term outcomes of this technique can be complex. This study established an animal model to assess the outcomes of lymphaticovenous anastomosis technique at 15 and 30-days post-surgery using indocyanine green lymphography, Patent Blue V dye injection, and histopathological examination.
METHODS: An experimental model was established in the hindlimbs of 10 rabbits using the popliteal vein and afferent lymphatic vessels in the popliteal area. The subjects were divided into two groups: the first group (n = 5) underwent patency assessment at 0 and 15 days, and the second group (n = 5) at 0 and 30-days, resulting in 20 anastomoses. Patency was verified at 0, 15, and 30-days using indocyanine green lymphography and Patent Blue V injection. Histopathological examinations were performed on the collected anastomosis samples.
RESULTS: The patency rate was 90% (19/20) initially, 60% (6/10) at 15 days post-surgery, and 80% (8/10) at 30-days. The average diameter of lymphatic vessels and veins was 1.0 mm and 0.8 mm, respectively. The median number of collateral veins was 3; the median surgical time was 65.8 min. Histopathology revealed minimal endothelial damage and inflammatory responses due to the surgical sutures, with vascular inflammation and thrombosis in a single case. Local vascular neoformations were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the reliability and reproducibility of using rabbits as experimental models for training in lymphaticovenous anastomosis technique owing to the accessibility of the surgical site and dimensions of their popliteal vasculature.