[Morphometry of primary varicose veins (author's transl)]

Morphometric investigations into the perforating veins in cases of primary varicosities have revealed typical, so far unrecognized, features of insufficiency. A significant difference was found in the diameters of central and peripheral parts of the vein amounting to a ratio of 1.5:1 with single, and 1.8:1 with paired incompetent perforators. These perforators therefore act in producing a jet. The pathophysiological and diagnostic significance of this jet phenomenon is discussed. Variations in the pattern and frequency of incompetent perforators were found between the medial and lateral aspects of the calf. Evidence concerning the mode of incompetent perforators is discussed.