A Report of Penile Mondor’s Disease After Mechanochemical Ablation and Adjunct Foam Sclerotherapy of Bilateral Lower Extremity Truncal Incompetence

Abstract

Introduction

Mondor’s disease of the penis, or superficial thrombophlebitis affecting penile veins, is a rare condition. Common causes include prothombotic states, venous stasis or excessive manipulation. The literature includes one case report of Mondor’s Disease after endovenous laser ablation and foam sclerotherapy and a case series after open saphenofemoral junction ligation. However, there have been no noted cases of this rare complication after mechanochemical ablation of the GSV.

Case Details

A 50-year-old man with bilateral great saphenous venous incompetence had truncal mechanochemical ablation of both above-knee GSV segments with the Clarivein^TM device with adjunctive 1% Fibrovein foam to varicose tributaries. Day three post-operatively he began experiencing suprapubic pain and noted tender “cord-like” veins along the penile shaft. Duplex investigation of the penis demonstrated occlusive thrombus in the superficial veins draining into the dorsal vein of the penis. The patient was treated with 75 mg oral Clopidogrel for four weeks and his symptoms resolved without functional impairment.

Conclusions

Vascular surgeons should be aware that this rare albeit self-limiting thrombotic complication can occur after endovenous mechanochemical ablation of the great saphenous vein with adjunct foam sclerotherapy, particularly as this procedure is performed very frequently. Interestingly, the majority of reported cases have occurred after bilateral interventions. The patients can be reassured that their symptoms will likely settle and the use of anti-thrombotic therapy is largely at the surgeon’s discretion.