Sclerotherapy
Historical Background Sclerotherapy is the chemical ablation of abnormal veins. The modern goal of therapy is an irreversible fibrotic occlusion, followed by reabsorption of the target vessel. Sclerotherapy is an…
Endovascular Treatment of Iliofemoral and Femoral-Popliteal Deep Vein Thrombosis
Historical Background Anticoagulation has long been considered the gold standard for treatment of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This therapy is effective at preventing DVT extension, pulmonary embolism, and…
Varicose Vein Stripping and Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Historical Background By the 1890s Trendelenburg not only had developed the compression test to evaluate saphenous vein reflux but also had performed great saphenous vein ligations using a transverse upper…
Surgical Reconstruction of the Inferior Vena Cava and Iliofemoral Venous System
Historical Background The first direct venous reconstruction using a saphenous vein graft for “postphlebitic stasis” was reported in 1954 by Warren and Thayer. In the late 1950s and 1960s venous…
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Procedure
Historical Background In 1969 Rosch and colleagues reported the first transjugular portal venography and portacaval shunt placement in a canine model. At that time, they foresaw the potential therapeutic benefits…
Surgical Reconstruction for Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
Historical Background In 1757 Hunter was the first to describe a patient with compression of the superior vena cava (SVC) by a large syphilitic aortic aneurysm leading to thrombosis. In…
Upper and Lower Extremity Fasciotomy
Historical Background Fasciotomy is designed to prevent nerve injury and myonecrosis resulting from compartment syndrome characterized by elevated pressure within a fixed extremity compartment. Compartment syndrome is most often observed…
Placement of Vena Cava Filter
Historical Background Vena cava interruption for prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE) was introduced in the 1950s and 1960s. Femoral vein and inferior vena cava (IVC) ligation, as well as partial…
Direct Surgical Repair of Tibial-Peroneal Arterial Occlusive Disease
Historical Background The feasibility of arterial reconstruction was first realized in the early 1900s through pioneering early studies performed by Carrell and Guthrie at the University of Chicago, as well…
Amputations of the Forefoot
Historical Background In 1946 McKittrick described the use of the transmetatarsal amputation for the diabetic foot, along with specific indications including infection, ischemia, and neuropathic ulcerations of the toes and…
