A study to evaluate patterns of superficial venous reflux in patients with primary chronic venous disease

Abstract

Objective This study assessed patterns of superficial reflux in patients with primary chronic venous disease. Methods Retrospective review of all patient venous duplex ultrasonography reports at one institution between 2000 and 2009. Legs with secondary, deep or no superficial reflux were excluded. Results In total, 8654 limbs were scanned; 2559 legs from 2053 patients (mean age 52.3 years) were included for analysis. Great saphenous vein reflux predominated (68%), followed by combined great saphenous vein/small saphenous vein reflux (20%) and small saphenous vein reflux (7%). The majority of legs with competent saphenofemoral junction had below-knee great saphenous vein reflux (53%); incompetent saphenofemoral junction was associated with combined above and below-knee great saphenous vein reflux (72%). Isolated small saphenous vein reflux was associated with saphenopopliteal junction incompetence (61%), although the majority of all small saphenous vein reflux limbs had a competent saphenopopliteal junction (57%). Conclusion Superficial venous reflux does not necessarily originate from a saphenous junction. Large prospective studies with interval duplex ultrasonography are required to unravel the natural history of primary chronic venous disease.