Surgical Treatment of Lower Limb Lipodermatosclerosis Secondary to Congenital Absence of Infrarenal Inferior Vena Cava and Bilateral Common Iliac Veins

Abstract

Background

The management of cutaneous dystrophy of lower limb resulting from congenital absence of inferior vena cava (IVC) primarily includes anticoagulation, compression stocking and bypass surgery. However, the clinical significance of surgical intervention for great saphenous vein (GSV) and pathologic perforator veins (PPVs) in combination with compression therapy remains unrecognized.

Case Report

We present a case report of a 44-year-old man experiencing bilateral legs heaviness and pain upon prolonged standing, as well as left leg lipodermatosclerosis due to congenital absence of infrarenal IVC and bilateral common iliac veins. He underwent ligation and stripping of GSV along with ligation of PPVs followed by postoperative compression therapy. After 7 years of follow-up, all symptoms and signs completely resolved with a decrease in venous clinical severity score from 16 preoperatively to 3 postoperatively.

Conclusion

For patient with lower limb cutaneous dystrophy due to the absence of IVC, it is feasible to perform high ligation and stripping of the GSV on the basis of accurate anatomic and hemodynamic evaluation, but long-term compression therapy is required.