Villavicencio Session: International Venous Research Highlights
Ulcer Healing and Wound Science
A multicenter randomized trial found ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy of ulcer bed veins shortened time to complete healing compared with standard care alone. A separate study coupled a carbon dioxide laser with mass spectrometry to rapidly distinguish biofilm from wound bed tissue in clinic, a step toward real time ulcer assessment.
Ablation Modality Debate
A review argued thermal ablation remains the practical gold standard for truncal veins despite growing nonthermal options, while a Japanese study found cyanoacrylate closure caused more skin reactions but fewer pain and neuropathy complaints than thermal ablation.
Complex and Recurrent Disease
A trial of oral sirolimus for slow flow vascular malformations showed limited benefit overall. Anterior saphenous vein reflux was found in roughly a quarter of patients with combined superficial disease, and a network meta analysis found recurrence patterns varied by procedure type.
Symptom Severity and Treatment Thresholds
A large registry comparison found endovenous treatment improved symptoms and quality of life similarly in mildly symptomatic C0 patients and more advanced C2 patients, suggesting classification alone should not determine treatment eligibility.
