Morphology in Deep Veins of the Lower Limbs with Primary Varicose Veins: Measurements of Venous Cross Sectional Areas by Duplex Scanning

Abstract

Fifty-four lower limbs of 27 healthy volunteers in control group and 80 limbs of 51 in varicose vein group patients were studied. Four cross sectional areas of deep veins were measured with duplex scanning. Each regions were measured before and after stripping surgery at both standing and lying position. We compared the difference in the cross sectional areas of the two groups, before and after surgery. We also compared the difference in the cross sectional area according to the severity of varicose veins defined by CEAP classification. At standing position the cross sectional area of popliteal vein was significantly larger in varicose vein group than that in control group. At lying position the cross sectional area of femoral vein was significantly larger in varicose vein group than that in control group. At this position the size of popliteal vein showed no difference between the two groups. After stripping surgery the size of deep vein significantly decreased. According to CEAP classification, severe varicose vein groups resulted with larger cross sectional area of femoral vein at standing position. These results suggested that the blood pooled in the superficial vein system affected the deep vein system. However, the affect of deep venous and perforater reflux on lower vein systems were not proved.