A colour Doppler ultrasound study of venous reflux in patients with chronic leg ulcers

Objectives: to evaluate the distribution of superficial and deep venous ref lux in patients with chronic leg ulcers. Materials: retrospective study of 186 patients with chronic leg ulcers (212 lower limbs). Results: in 127 legs without arterial disease and a history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), 62 (49%) had superficial, 45 (35%) had superficial and de ep, And 14 (11%) had isolated deep venous reflux. In legs with a previous D VT, isolated deep venous reflex was more common (21/55, 38%) but superficia l reflux, often in combination with deep reflux, still predominated (56%). Conclusions: a large part of the venous insufficiency causing venous leg ul cers is superficial and suitable for varicose vein surgery. In patients wit h chronic leg ulcers most reflex affects the superficial system and is pote ntially suitable for surgical; correction.