Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: Surgical Treatment

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the mid and long term efficacy of surgical interruption of the refluxing ovarian veins as a treatment modality for pelvic congestion syndrome. Study Design: A prospective non comparative interventional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted between February 2015 and October 2019 in Alexandria Medical Centre and Tanta Main University Hospital. Methodology: The study included a 27 patient’s undergone surgical interruption of refluxing ovarian veins with or without sclerotherapy of vulval, perineal or thigh varices, and data were collected prospectively. Detailed history was taken and clinical examination was done for every patient along with routine laboratory investigations and radiological work up was transvaginal and abdominal venous duplex. Follow up was done considering the change in pelvic venous images and pelvic pain scores in comparison to the pre-operative state. Results: Twenty seven female patients were treated for pelvic congestion syndrome using single session surgical intervention with or without sclerotherapy to pudendal varices. The patients age ranged from 21 to 43 (mean 33.1). All patients presented with chronic continuous pelvic pain. Other associated symptoms as dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea and pudendal varices were found in some cases. Surgical ligation of the ovarian veins were done to all cases, sclerotherapy/ligation of internal iliac varices was done for 6 cases and scerotherapy or surgical interruption of pudendal or thigh varicose veins was done in 21 cases. Technical success was achieved in all patients. Mean pelvic pain score was improved from 7.33 preoperatively to 1.33 and 0.89 in 6 and 12 months of the post-operative recordings. On sonographic basis pelvic reflux disappeared in 26 patients by the end of the follow up. Out of 27 patients treated there were 24 patients satisfied of the procedures at the end of the follow up. Conclusion: Surgical treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome combined with sclerotherapy to the associated varices was found to be effective, safe and affordable modality of treatment.