A new pragmatic classification system for varicose veins

Objective: An anatomical classification system for varicose veins which has a direct and pragmatic bearing on treatment. Methods: A group of trial participants from the two vascular units involved met to design a system. A consensus on the form and content of the system was reached. This process included forming a set of ideal classification cr iteria, a literature review of existing classification systems and a pilot study of the proposed system. Results: The identified classification systems were felt to be unsatisfacto ry for a number of reasons including being difficult to understand and use, requiring special investigations and not linking through to clinical manag ement options. The pilot study demonstrated consensus between clinicians wh en using our system. Conclusion: A system has been developed that is easy to learn, use and unde rstand. It can be employed in a busy outpatient setting and produces an acc eptable degree of agreement regarding the anatomical nature of varicose vei ns.