Varicosis of the accessorial lateral saphenous vein: Evidence of recirculation shown by pre-operative phlebography

Background: The incidence of varicosis of the anterior side branch of the l ong saphenous vein clinically ranges about 8 to 10% of descending venous de compensation, originating at the level of the thigh. Its incidencee in wome n showing significant overweight is clearly pronounced. Mostly torturous an d enlarged varicosed segments of the accessorial lateral saphenous vein can be seen clinically crossing the anterior middle of the thigh. The indicati ons for surgical medical extirpation of the entire varicosed side blanch de pends from pain, phlebitic complications, peripheral venous dysfunction inc luding cosmetic aspects. Patients: in a clientel of 138 patients (females: 214, males: 24) the phleb ographic demonstration of the entire recirculation pathways was performed p rior to surgery Results: Ascending leg phlebography was found sufficient in 7.7% of cases o nly Combined with varicography however; in further 90,7% of patients a clea r demonstration of the upper and lower points of venous insufficiency was p ossible. The extent of functional disorders was calculated by additional pe ripheral venous pressure measurements. Conclusions: This clientel clearly shows that longterm reflux via the varic osed sine branch increases the tendency of peripheral functional decompensa tion along the lower leg. Adequate surgical therapy depends from a clear de monstration of the varicosed veins beeing involved, and this can be realize d by combined phlebography and varicography.