PHLEBECTOMY ZONES IN THE LOWER EXTREMITY

AVLS members Dr. John Blebea and Dr. Ken Harper are conducting research utilizing the AVLS PRO Venous Registry. They hypothesize that the majority of phlebectomy sites are located within four zones of the leg.

It has been suggested that reimbursement for phlebectomy procedures would be better based on anatomic location rather than the number of phlebectomies performed. The distribution of potential anatomic zones on the leg proposed varies from 3 to 32. Although more zones would provide greater specificity, fewer zones would be easier to define and more likely to be employed by physicians. The most recent Registry update provides 14 anatomic zone locations, which would provide, for the first time, real data on actual phlebectomy sites in clinical treatment.

1. Upper Thigh - Medial

2. Upper Thigh - Anterior - Lateral

3. Upper Thigh - Posterior

4. Lower Thigh - Medial

5. Lower Thigh - Anterior - Lateral

6. Lower Thigh - Posterior

7. Knee

8. Upper Calf - Medial

9. Upper Calf - Anterior - Lateral

10. Upper Calf - Posterior

11. Lower Calf - Medial

12. Lower Calf - Anterior - Lateral

13. Lower Calf - Posterior

14. Foot

Because providers do not currently capture these zones in their respective EMRs, AVLS has developed an app that can be used to collect data and contribute to this study. We encourage our members to participate in the AVLS PRO Venous Registry and submit their phlebectomy data through this application. For more information, please stop by the AVLS booth in the New Horizon Plaza.