Thermographic Localization of Incompetent Perforating Veins in the Leg

Incompetent perforating veins in the leg were localized separately by clinical and thermographic methods. Clinically, the methods used were a multiple tourniquet test and palpation for fascial defects. Thermographically, the diagnosis of an incompetent perforator was made by finding rapid and localized heat flow to the skin in a cooled limb with occlusion of circulation in the superficial veins distally and proximally. Exploration of all the sites marked clinically or thermographically showed that the clinical method detected 60%, missed 40%, and gave false-positive results in 40%, while thermography detected 94·5%, missed 5·5%, and contributed 13% false-positive results. All these findings show a highly significant difference (P<0.0005) in favour of the thermographic technique as against the clinical method.     

Prevention of Early Postoperative Deep Vein Thrombosis by Intermittent Compression of the Leg during Surgery

A clinical trial is described in which the effect of intermittent compression of the lower limb during surgery on the incidence of early postoperative deep vein thrombosis was assessed. Deep vein thromboses were diagnosed by the ¹²⁵I-fibrinogen uptake test. Peroperative intermittent compression was achieved by means of an inflatable plastic splint coupled to a pneumatic controller. By compressing only one leg of each patient, each patient acted as his own control.With a sequential statistical analysis, 39 patients were required to pass the 5% level of significance. Eleven thrombi were detected in the control (uncompressed) legs and two occurred in the compressed legs; one of the latter was bilateral. The investigation shows that increasing the pulsatility of the venous flow in the leg is a potent prophylactic against postoperative deep vein thrombosis.     

Prevention of Early Postoperative Deep Vein Thrombosis by Passive Exercise of Leg during Surgery

A clinical trial assessed the effect of passive exercise of the lower limb during surgery on the incidence of early postoperative deep vein thrombosis. Thrombosis was diagnosed by means of the ¹²⁵I-fibrinogen uptake test. Passive exercise of the lower limb during the operation was achieved by using a motorized foot mover designed for use on supine subjects, and by pedalling only one leg each patient acted as his own control.In a sequential statistical analysis, 47 patients were required to reach the 5% level of significance. Thrombosis was detected in 11 control (unpedalled) legs alone, and in only one pedalled leg alone. Two patients developed thrombosis bilaterally. The investigation shows that the incidence of early thrombosis in legs which were exercised during surgery was reduced by 77%.     

Veins in the area of the mesencephalon

The veins on the surface of the mesencephalon were measured on 100 brain halves. The results of this measurements are discussed with issues of earlier authors.