BACKGROUND: Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials (TcMEPs) can improve intraoperative detection of femoral plexus and nerve root injury during lumbosacral spine surgery. However, even under ideal conditions, TcMEPs are not completely free of false-positive alerts due to the immobilizing effect of general anesthetics, especially in the proximal musculature. The application of transcutaneous stimulation to activate ventral nerve roots directly at the level of the conus medularis (bypassing the brain and spinal cord) has emerged as a method to potentially monitor the motor component of the femoral plexus and lumbosacral nerves free from the blunting effects of general anesthesia.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and efficacy of transabdominal motor evoked potentials (TaMEPs) compared to TcMEPs during lumbosacral spine procedures.
METHODS: We present the findings of a single-center 12-month retrospective experience of all lumbosacral spine surgeries utilizing multimodality intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) consisting of TcMEPs, TaMEPs, somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), electromyography (EMG), and electroencephalography.
METHODS: Two hundred and twenty patients having one, or a combination of lumbosacral spine procedures, including anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), posterior spinal fusion (PSF), and/or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).
METHODS: Intraoperative neuromonitoring data was correlated to immediate post-operative neurologic examinations and chart review.
METHODS: Baseline reliability, false positive rate, true positive rate, false negative rate, area under the curve at baseline and at alerts, and detection of pre-operative deficits of TcMEPs and TaMEPs were compared and analyzed for statistical significance. The relationship between transcutaneous stimulation voltage level and patient BMI was also examined.
RESULTS: TaMEPs were significantly more reliable than TcMEPs in all muscles except abductor hallucis. Of the 27 false positive alerts, 24 were TcMEPs alone, and 3 were TaMEPs alone. Of the 19 true positives, none were detected by TcMEPs alone, 3 were detected by TaMEPs alone (TcMEPs were not present), and the remaining 16 true positives involved TaMEPs and TcMEPs. TaMEPs had a significantly larger area under the curve (AUC) at baseline than TcMEPs in all muscles except abductor hallucis. The percent decrease in TcMEP and TaMEP AUC during LLIF alerts was not significantly different. Both TcMEPs and TaMEPs reflected three pre-existing motor deficits. Patient BMI and TaMEP stimulation intensity were found to be moderately positively correlated.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the high reliability and predictability of TaMEPs and the potential added value when TaMEPs are incorporated into multimodality IONM during lumbosacral spine surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Polidocanol endovenous microfoam ablation (MFA) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for great saphenous vein (GSV) closure, yet there are few published data on the subsequent risk of ablation-related thrombus extension (ARTE). Recent societal practice guidelines recommend against routine postprocedure duplex ultrasound (DU) examination after thermal ablation of the GSV in asymptomatic patients. At present, limited data do not allow this recommendation to extend to MFA. Our aim is to identify characteristics and outcomes associated with ARTE following MFA vs radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was conducted of patients who underwent MFA and RFA closure of incompetent above-knee GSVs. Patients treated for isolated tributary vein treatment or did not have a postprocedure DU examination within 48 to 72 hours were not included. Patients were classified into two groups: ARTE and no ARTE. Demographic data, Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic and Pathophysiologic class, Venous Clinical Severity Score, operative details, postprocedure (48-72 hours) DU findings, and adverse events were analyzed. Variables that were significant on univariate analysis were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression with the primary outcome being development of ARTE.
RESULTS: Between June 2018 and February 2023, 800 limbs were treated with either MFA (n = 224) or RFA (n = 576). Ninety-six GSVs treated with MFA met the study criteria. One hundred fifty successive GSVs treated with RFA during the same period were included as a comparison group. There was no statistically significant difference in baseline demographics between the two groups. Six patients (2.4%) demonstrated ARTE on postoperative DU examination at 48 to 72 hours (MFA, n = 5 [5.2%]; RFA, n = 1 [0.7%]; P = .02). Saphenous vein ablation with MFA (P = .045) and a vein diameter of >10 mm (P = .017) were associated with ARTE on both univariable and multivariable analysis. All patients who developed ARTE were treated with oral anticoagulants (mean, 15.6 days). Body mass index, Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic and Pathophysiologic class, Venous Clinical Severity Score, microfoam volume, operative time, and prior deep venous thrombosis were not predictive of ARTE.
CONCLUSIONS: ARTE after above-knee GSV closure occurred more frequently after MFA. Our results suggest that a saphenous vein diameter of >10 mm may be associated with ARTE. Despite this finding, all patients with ARTE were treated with short-term anticoagulation with no related complications. Until larger studies with high-risk subgroups have been studied after MFA, DU examination should be performed routinely after this procedure and patients with ARTE anticoagulated until the thrombus retracts caudal to the saphenofemoral junction or is no longer present on DU examination. Current societal guidelines recommending against routine post-thermal ablation DU examination should not be applied to similar patients after saphenous nonthermal MFA ablation.

OBJECTIVE: Patient characteristics and risk factors for incomplete or non-closure following thermal saphenous vein ablation have been reported. However, similar findings have not been clearly described following commercially manufactured polidocanol microfoam ablation (MFA). The objective of our study is to identify predictive factors and outcomes associated with non-closure following MFA of symptomatic, refluxing saphenous veins.
METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained patient database was performed from procedures in our Ambulatory Procedure Unit. All consecutive patients who underwent MFA with commercially manufactured 1% polidocanol microfoam for symptomatic superficial vein reflux between June 2018 and September 2022 were identified. Patients treated for tributary veins only, without truncal vein ablation, were excluded. Patients were then stratified into groups: complete closure (Group I) and non-closure (Group II). Preoperative demographics, procedural details, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Preoperative variables that were significant on univariate analysis (prior deep venous thrombosis [DVT], body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2, and vein diameter) were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model with the primary outcome being vein non-closure.
RESULTS: Between June 2018 and September 2022, a total of 224 limbs underwent MFA in our ambulatory venous center. Of these, 127 limbs in 103 patients met study inclusion criteria. Truncal veins treated included the above-knee great saphenous vein (Group I: n = 89, 77% vs Group II: n = 7, 58%; P = .14), below-knee great saphenous vein (Group I: n = 7, 6% vs Group II: n = 0; P = .38), anterior accessory saphenous vein (Group I: n = 17, 15% vs Group II: n = 4, 33%; P = .12, and small saphenous vein (Group I: n = 4, 4% vs Group II: n = 1, 8%; P = .41). Complete closure (Group I) occurred in 115 limbs, and 12 limbs did not close (Group II) based on postoperative duplex ultrasound screening. The mean BMI in Group II (36.1 ± 6.4 kg/m2) was significantly greater than Group I (28.6 ± 6.1 kg/m2) (P < .001). Vein diameter of ≥10.2 mm was independently associated with truncal vein non-closure with an odds ratio of 4.8. The overall mean foam volume was 6.2 ± 2.7 ml and not different between the two cohorts (Group I: 6.2 ± 2.6 ml vs Group II: 6.3 + 3.5 ml; P = .89). Post MFA improvement in symptoms was higher in Group I (96.9%) compared with Group II (66.7%) (P = .001). The mean postoperative Venous Clinical Severity Score was also lower in Group I (8.0 ± 3.0) compared with Group II (9.9 ± 4.2) (P = .048). The overall incidences of ablation-related thrombus extension and DVT were 4.7% (n = 6) and 1.6% (n = 2), and all occurred in Group I. All were asymptomatic and resolved with anticoagulation.
CONCLUSIONS: Microfoam ablation of symptomatic, refluxing truncal veins results in excellent overall closure rates and symptomatic relief. BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and increased vein diameter are associated with an increased risk of saphenous vein non-closure following MFA. Non-closure is associated with less symptomatic improvement and a lower post-procedure reduction in Venous Clinical Severity Score. Despite the incidence of ablation-related thrombus extension and DVT in this study being higher than reported rates following thermal ablation, MFA is safe for patients with early postoperative duplex ultrasound surveillance and selective short-term anticoagulation.

UNASSIGNED: The saphenous vein graft (SVG) is the most used conduit in CABG. With standardization of its use as a conduit came an understanding of its accelerated atherosclerosis, known as saphenous vein graft disease (SVGD). Given its extensive use, a review of the pathophysiology and management of SVGD is important as we optimize its use.
UNASSIGNED: For this review, an extensive literature search was completed to identify and examine the evolution of SVG in CABG, mechanisms driving SVGD, and methods developed to prevent and manage it. This includes a review of relevant major papers and trials in this space.
UNASSIGNED: Eras of evolution in SVG usage in CABG include an experimental era, era of SVG dominance in CABG, and the current era of mixed venous and arterial grafting. As SVGD was studied, the mechanisms behind it became more understood, and prevention and management methods were developed. As advances in surgical techniques and pharmacotherapy continue to reduce occurrence and severity of SVGD, long-term patency of SV grafts continues to improve and remain excellent in optimized settings. With continued innovation and improvement in operative techniques, the SVG conduit is and will remain an important player in the field of coronary bypass.

In the present study, we summarize our experience in locating the nidus of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with a dominant outflow vein (DOV) in the lower extremities and eradicating the nidus with ethanol and coils.
Twelve patients with lower extremity AVMs who underwent ethanol embolization combined with DOV occlusion from January 2017 to May 2018 were enrolled in the present study. Selective angiography was used to locate the nidus of the AVMs, which was eradicated using ethanol and coils via the direct puncture pathway. All treated patients underwent postoperative follow-up (mean, 25.5 months; range, 14-37 months).
The 12 patients underwent a total of 29 procedures (mean, 2.4; range, 1-4) with 27 detachable coils and 169 Nester coils (Cook Medical Inc, Bloomington, IN). Of the 12 patients, 7 (58.3%) had a complete response and 5 (41.7%) a partial response. Three patients (25%) had minor complications such as blister and superficial skin ulcers during follow-up. However, they recovered spontaneously and completely. No major complications were recorded.
Ethanol embolization combined with coil-assisted DOV occlusion has the potential to eradicate the nidus of lower extremity AVMs with acceptable complication rates.

Microfoam ablation (MFA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are both approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of proximal saphenous truncal veins. The objective of our study was to compare early postoperative outcomes between MFA and RFA following treatment of incompetent thigh saphenous veins.
A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was conducted of patients who underwent treatment of incompetent great saphenous veins (GSVs) or anterior accessory saphenous veins (AASVs) in the thigh. All the patients underwent duplex ultrasound of the treated leg at 48 to 72 hours postoperatively. Patients were excluded from analysis if concomitant stab phlebectomy was performed. Demographic data, CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) class, venous clinical severity score (VCSS), and adverse events were recorded.
Between June 2018 and September 2022, 784 consecutive limbs (RFA, n = 560; MFA, n = 224) underwent venous closure for symptomatic reflux. A total of 200 consecutive thigh GSVs and ASVs treated within the study period using either MFA (n = 100) or RFA (n = 100) were identified. The patients were predominantly women (69%) with a mean age of 64 years. The preoperative CEAP classification was similar between the MFA and RFA groups. The mean preoperative VCSS was 9.4 ± 2.6 for the RFA patients and 9.9 ± 3.3 for the MFA patients. Among the RFA patients, the GSV was treated in 98% and the AASV in 2% compared with the GSV in 83% and the AASV in 17% in the MFA group (P < .001). The mean operative time was 42.4 ± 15.4 minutes in the RFA group and 33.8 ±16.9 minutes in the MFA group (P < .001). The median follow-up was 64 days for the study cohort. The mean postoperative VCSS declined to 7.3 ± 2.1 in the RFA group and 7.8 ± 2.9 in the MFA group. Complete closure occurred in 100% of the limbs after RFA and 90% after MFA (P = .005). Eight veins were partially closed and two remained patent following MFA. The incidence of superficial phlebitis was 6% and 15% (P = .06) after RFA and MFA, respectively. Overall, symptomatic relief was 90% following RFA and 89.5% following MFA. The complete ulcer healing rate for the entire cohort was 77.8%. Deep venous proximal thrombus extension (RFA, 1%; vs MFA, 4%; P = .37) and remote deep vein thrombosis (RFA, 0%; vs MFA, 2%; P = .5) showed a trend toward being higher following MFA but the difference did not reach statistical significance. All were asymptomatic and resolved with short-term anticoagulation therapy.
MFA and RFA are both safe and effective for treating incompetent thigh saphenous veins, with excellent symptomatic relief and a low incidence of postprocedure adverse thrombotic events. RFA resulted in improved complete closure rates following initial treatment compared with MFA. The operative times were shorter with MFA. Both modalities can be used for patients with active venous ulcers with good healing rates. Longer term studies are required to characterize the durability of MFA closure for above knee truncal veins.

Endovenous closure of truncal veins with a large diameter (LD) (≥8 mm) has been associated with higher risk of post ablation thrombus propagation into the deep venous system. Similar findings after Varithena microfoam ablation (MFA) have not been characterized. The study objective was to analyze outcomes after both radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and MFA and of LD truncal veins.
A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed. All patients who underwent MFA and RFA for LD symptomatic truncal vein reflux (≥8 mm) were identified. All patients had postoperative duplex (48-72 hours) scanning. Patients underwent subsequent clinical follow-up at 3 to 6 weeks. Demographic data, CEAP Classification, Venous Clinical Severity Score, procedure details, adverse thrombotic events, and follow-up data were abstracted.
Between June 2018 and September 2022, 784 consecutive limbs (RFA, n = 560; MFA, n = 224) underwent truncal vein (great, accessory, and small saphenous) closure for symptomatic reflux. Sixty-six limbs in the MFA group met inclusion criteria. Sixty-six consecutive limbs treated with RFA during the same time period were included as a comparison group. The mean truncal vein diameter treated was 10.5 mm (RFA, 10.0 mm; MFA, 10.9 mm). Twenty-nine limbs (44%) in the RFA group underwent concomitant phlebectomy. Tributary veins were concomitantly sclerosed in 34 MFA limbs (52%). Total procedural times were shorter in the MFA group (MFA, 31.6 minutes vs RFA, 55.7 minutes) (P < .001). Immediate closure rates were 100% and 95% in the RFA and MFA groups, respectively. Venous Clinical Severity Scores improved after treatment in both groups (RFA, from 9.5 to 7.8; P ≤ .001) (MFA, from 11.3 to 9.0; P ≤ .001). In the RFA and MFA groups, 83% and 79% of venous ulcers healed during the study period, respectively. Symptomatic superficial phlebitis occurred after RFA in 11% and 17% MFA. The incidence of postablation proximal deep venous thrombus extension was 3.0% in the RFA group and 6.1% in the MFA group, which was not statistically significant. All resolved with short-term oral anticoagulant therapy. No remote deep venous thromboses or pulmonary emboli occurred in either group.
High early closure rates, symptom relief and ulcer healing rates can be achieved after RFA and MFA of LD saphenous veins. Both techniques can be used safely across a wide array of CEAP classes. Longer term studies are required to characterize the durability of MFA closure and sustained symptom relief in LD truncal veins.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a proqgressive and underestimated condition related to a vicious circle established by venous reflux and endothelial inflammation, leading to vein dilation and histology distortion, including loss of media tone. Sulodexide (SDX) is a drug restoring the glycocalyx that demonstrated endothelial protection and permeability regulation, together with anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory roles. In the lab it also exhibited vein contractility function. The aim of the present study was to show the possible role of endothelium and nitric oxide pathway on SDX\'s veno-contractile effect on human saphenous veins. The remnants of great saphenous vein (GSV) segments (n = 14) were harvested during coronary artery bypass graft surgery. They were dissected as endothelium-intact (n = 8) and denuded rings (n = 6). First, a viability test was carried out in bath with Krebs-Henseleit solution to investigate a control and basal tension value. After this, cumulative doses of SDX were applied to rings and contraction values were studied in endothelium-intact phenylephrine (PheE, 6 × 10-7 M) pre-contracted vein rings. Finally, endothelium-intact PheE pre-contacted vein rings were treated by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10-4 M) for 10 min. Contraction protocol was applied, and contraction values were measured in cumulative doses of SDX. The same protocol was applied to endothelium-denuded vein rings to investigate the effect of SDX. Saphenous vein rings showed an increase in contraction to cumulative doses of SDX. In endothel-intact rings, KCL-induced contraction from 92.6% ± 0.3 to 112.9% ± 0.4 with cumulative SDX doses. However, SDX did not show any veno-contractile effect on endothel-denuded rings. In denuded rings contraction responses measured from 94.9% ± 0.3 to 85.2% ± 0.3 with increasing doses of SDX, indicating no significant change. Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) prohibited the contraction response of the sulodexide in all dosages, indicating that the contractile function of SDX was mediated by endothelial derived nitric oxide. Results of endothel-intact and denuded rings with L-NAME showed a similar incline with denuded rings with SDX only. The results confirmed SDX\'s veno-contractile effect in human samples, by means of nitric oxide synthase pathways involvement.

Regional anesthesia is an integral component of successful orthopedic surgery. Neuraxial anesthesia is commonly used for surgical anesthesia while peripheral nerve blocks are often used for postoperative analgesia. Patient evaluation for regional anesthesia should include neurological, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and hematological assessments. Neuraxial blocks include spinal, epidural, and combined spinal epidural. Upper extremity peripheral nerve blocks include interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular, and axillary. Lower extremity peripheral nerve blocks include femoral nerve block, saphenous nerve block, sciatic nerve block, iPACK block, ankle block and lumbar plexus block. The choice of regional anesthesia is a unanimous decision made by the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and the patient based on a risk-benefit assessment. The choice of the regional block depends on patient cooperation, patient positing, operative structures, operative manipulation, tourniquet use and the impact of post-operative motor blockade on initiation of physical therapy. Regional anesthesia is safe but has an inherent risk of failure and a relatively low incidence of complications such as local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST), nerve injury, falls, hematoma, infection and allergic reactions. Ultrasound should be used for regional anesthesia procedures to improve the efficacy and minimize complications. LAST treatment guidelines and rescue medications (intralipid) should be readily available during the regional anesthesia administration.

BACKGROUND: The saphenous nerve has great importance on the sensitivity of the lower limb. In its normal course, it enters the adductor canal and travels under the sartorius muscle, on the medial side of the thigh.
METHODS: The anatomical variation was found accidentally during routine cadaveric dissection of the thigh at the Human Anatomy Laboratory of the Department of Morphophysiology of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Minas Gerais (FCMMG).
RESULTS: A different pattern of path of the saphenous nerve was found, which appears to perforate the sartorius muscle.
CONCLUSIONS: Complaints of pain in the lower limbs are highly prevalent in the adult population. Saphenous neuropathy is a pathological entity that is associated with such a clinic and may have compression or trauma as its etiology. In the context of compression, it can be caused due to the unusual nerve path, as described in the present study. In trauma, knowledge of this variation is important to prevent iatrogenic damage to nervous tissue during surgical procedures.
CONCLUSIONS: The anatomic variation presented may be related to the symptom of pain in the lower limbs and is also relevant in the surgical context, in order to prevent complications.