The Egyptian African Venous and Lymphatic Association (EAVLA) recently organized the first edition of the International Vein Conference in Cairo, which brought together international experts and surgeons from 15 different countries. The conference focused on modern medical techniques for the treatment of veins and lymphatic diseases, including conservative treatments, catheter interventions, and surgical methods of treatment.
According to Rashad Bishara, President of EAVLA, approximately 50% of Egyptians suffer from different types of varicose veins, with other venous diseases such as definitive reflux and venous thromboembolism also affecting a significant portion of the population. However, the science of varicose veins has greatly developed, with advanced techniques such as interventional treatment, thermal and non-thermal ablation, injection sclerotherapy, and CLACS techniques.
Ahmed Gaweesh, Vice President of EAVLA highlighted the significant technological advances in the science and interventions for veins, particularly in the treatment of venous thrombosis. He discussed modern technologies such as the pharmacological dissolution of thrombosis through catheters, suctioning, and catheter interventions for varicose veins, as well as the use of surface laser treatment with injections (CLACS) for cosmetic treatment of varicose veins.
The conference also covered new technologies for stent placement, chronic venous ulcers, and modern methods of treatment. A research competition was held related to modern treatment methods for venous diseases.
According to Alun Davies, a world expert in the management of venous disorder and Professor of Vascular and Surgery Clinical Director of Imperial College London, when the population is large, there are more people presenting with venous diseases. There are many simple treatments currently available, such as laser and radiofrequency for treating veins. Davies emphasized the importance of an aggressive approach to treating people with venous diseases earlier in order to prevent pain, complications and high recurrence rates, as well as to get effective treatment of venous leg ulcers.
Davies also stressed that the management of venous disease is heavily reliant on the availability of affordable treatments, such as Foam Sclerotherapy. However, medical glue, which is a non-thermal technique, is very expensive in the case of treating a large population like Egypt. He further pointed out that the field of venous diseases is constantly witnessing new medical techniques to ease treatment and prevent high recurrence rates, highlighting the importance of ultrasound guided treatments.
Wassila Taha, General Secretary of EAVLA, noted the success of the conference in organizing the first simulation workshop for the installation of deep vein stents, which aimed to provide young doctors with hands-on training in stent installation for patients. The foundation also adopts projects to help patients with venous ulcers by concluding several agreements and cooperation with other organizations and associations to alleviate economic suffering.
Sergio Gianesini, President Elect of the International Union of Phlebology (UIP) and President of the Venous-Lymphatic World International Network (v-WIN) foundation ONLUS, emphasized the importance of raising awareness and training in the field of venous and lymphatic disease. Gianesini stated that v-WIN cooperates with EAVLA, as one of the most important associations in the region because of its expertise, which makes it a strategic partner to reach the rest of the African countries in order to raise awareness, train, and educate practitioners in the venous field. He further noted that v-WIN cooperates with EAVLA in conducting medical scientific digital programmes and reports translated into several languages to raise awareness about venous diseases.
Zaza Lazarashvili, Medical Director and Chief of Vascular Surgery at Chapidze Cardiovascular Center in Georgia, praised the conference for its promising vision about phlebology and its goals to expand geographical coverage and exchange experiences to meet challenges in clinical research in the field of venous. He also added that the conference has a promising vision about phlebology, and it has goals to expand geographical coverage and exchange experiences to meet challenges in clinical research in field of veins. And as Egypt is currently the only African country in the UIP, it represents a focal access point to the rest of African countries to advance the field of Phlebology.
EAVLA, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2019, is dedicated to promoting education and training in the field of venous and lymphatic disease.
