Saphenous vein histopathology 5.5 years after cyanoacrylate closure

Abstract

VenaSeal (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn) is a cyanoacrylate polymer adhesive for the treatment of patients with chronic venous insufficiency. As an implanted device, questions remain about how long cyanoacrylate persists after closure. In this report, a 65-year-old man was examined 5.5 years after cyanoacrylate closure, and a segment of great saphenous vein was excised for histopathologic analysis. Findings were typical of a foreign body reaction. The vessel was occluded with collagenized mature fibrous tissue and polymer remnants, which were encapsulated by multinucleated giant cells. Focal areas of granulomatous inflammation were present in the vein wall extending to the adventitia.

Keywords: Chronic venous insufficiency; Cyanoacrylate; Foreign body reaction; Varicose vein.