THE ROLE OF PRIMARY VARICOSE-VEINS IN VENOUS ULCERATION

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 92  (3) , 450-453
Abstract
Venous ulceration is usually ascribed to deep venous insufficiency. The cases of 20 patients with 23 ulcers were examined. None had a history suggestive of deep vein disease. All had a normal deep venous system when evaluated by Doppler ultrasound, ambulatory venous pressures and photoplethysmography. All had gross varicose veins present for many years (mean 24 yr; range 10-35 yr), and only 14 limbs had incompetent calf perforating veins. Effective treatment is facilitated by recognition of the relationship of varicose ulcer to superficial venous disease, usually incompetence of the saphenofemoral junction, with or without the presence of incompetent calf of perforating veins.