Venous Worrkshop

Focusing on superficial venous issues, yesterday’s CX Venous Workshop invited delegates to discover new techniques, with a hands-on approach, and speak to experts across the different fields of phlebological practice. Covering techniques from endothermal ablation to diagnostic venous ultrasound, the session was a “unique opportunity” for delegates to expand on the technical aspects of the CX Venous Main Programme.

Course director, Ian Franklin, explained, “You can walk up to a member of the training faculty who is an expert in that field. All of our participants are experts, and here they can interact over different techniques and share their experiences.”

Speaking to CX Daily News, he commented, “This year, we have run the venous plenary day ahead of the Workshop, which really set the scene for what was coming. The Venous Workshop is a way of extending discussion time by two more days.”

For the first time, the Workshop featured a lymphoedema section, highlighting groundbreaking imaging solutions, genetic research, and novel treatment techniques. Eva Sevick (Houston, USA) took delegates through a new imaging system developed from Gulf War military night-vision technology. Using infrared heat signatures and trace amounts of dye to look through several centimetres of human tissue, a camera can capture images of the lymphatic system every 15 milliseconds. This has allowed physicians to create videos of lymph function for the first time. “We have imaged about 350 patients, and found that the lymphatic system is really important in vascular diseases… if the lymphatics are not working, fixing the venous problem is not going to help,” Sevick told CX Daily News. Encouraging further collaboration beyond yesterday’s session, Sevick said, “We need to be looking at whether outcomes could be better if the lymphatic and the venous systems are treated simultaneously.”

Oliver Lyons (London, UK), who showcased his genetic research into the aetiology of lymphoedema, highlighted the importance of this new part of the workshop. “It has been a fantastic forum for people to get together. We are already talking about potential ways we can join these technologies together to develop new treatments for patients,” he said. “By studying patients with rare genetic causes of lymphoedema, you actually learn how the lymphatic and venous system is working in all of us.” Rajesh Hydrabadi, who exhibited a novel lymphoedema treatment technique using silicon tubule implantation, commented, “I am very happy to present in an international forum like this, where we can explore simple solutions to complex problems.”

Aesthetic phlebology was another first-time area of the CX Venous Workshop. Presenting hand vein treatment options, Dennis Wolf (London, UK) told CX Daily News that “not many people have been aware of what possibilities there are in treating superficial hand veins, both from a venous point of view and from a rejuvenation point of view… by doing complementary treatments, you can actually get a much better result. By attending these workshops, vascular surgeons can hear what complementary options are available.”

Another highlight of the aesthetic phlebology section was the cryolaser and cryosclerotherapy (ClaCs) technique presented by Kazuo Miyake (São Paulo, Brazil), which marries augmented reality and laser techniques to enhance the treatment of superficial veins. Commenting on his first-time experience at the Venous Workshop, Miyake said, “It is unique and productive—something that the delegates can really enjoy. You can spend as much time as you want clarifying technical details with the faculty. Here, you can ask questions and interact; it is perfect.”

“The Venous Workshop is really a discussion amongst people who have got a lot of experience. I learn more than I teach, which is really rewarding,” said demonstrator Eddie Chaloner (London, UK). Speaking about today’s Worksop, which will focus on deep venous issues, he continued, “I think the next challenges will be in deep venous treatments, especially with the advent of new technologies. This is an area which is neglected, and where we can make the most advances in the shortest amount of time.”