Aim: The aim of this study was to correlate the anatomical distribution of venous reflux with clinical symptoms and venous haemodynamics in patients with primary varicose veins.
Methods: Venous reflux was examined using duplex colour Doppler ultrasonography in 266 legs in 191 patients. The venous refilling and reflux times were also measured.
Results: Of the 266 legs, 82 per cent had reflux in the long saphenous vein (LSV), 26 per cent in the short saphenous vein (SSV), 62 per cent had incompetent perforators (IPs) in the calf and 48 per cent had reflux in the deep veins. LSV reflux combined with SSV reflux and/or IPs was associated significantly with severe venous disease and abnormal venous haemodynamics. Femoropopliteal reflux played a role in the development of venous eczema and ulcers when combined with superficial venous reflux.
Conclusion: Patients at high risk of developing complications of venous disease may be identified by an accurate non-invasive evaluation of reflux patterns.