Abstract
There are a number of different primary problems in patients presenting with varicose veins. Treatment needs to be appropriate to the different causes. Doppler/ultrasound examination of varicose veins can very accurately define almost all abnormalities that cause varicose veins, but this can be time consuming. Over 3 years' experience of the clinical application of colour Doppler/ ultrasound investigation in the assessment of patients with varicose veins in a small general hospital is reported. The selection of patients and how improved understanding of the various presenting problems of patients examined may affect treatment are described. All surgeons with access to this technology are encouraged to include it in the investigation of their patients.