[Recurrence of varices in lower extremities]

Authors have done a retrospective analysis of 94 lower extremities in 88 patients examined from 1996 to 2002 for recurrence of varices in lower extremities. The goal was to find out the most frequent causes of recurrence of varices in lower extremities in patients with history of varices surgery referred to venous guidance clinic because of another onset of varices in lower extreminites or clinical signs of chronic venous insufficiency. Reflux was proved in 78 lower extremities from the total number of 94 (83%) in our sample. Isolated reflux was discovered in 59 extremities in saphenofemoral junction (39 extremities), in saphenopopliteal junction (14 extreminies), and in perforators (6 extremities). Combined reflux detected simultaneously in two or three places (SFJ, SPJ, perforators) was found in 19 extremities. In 11 cases the reflux was proved in two places and in 8 cases even in 3 places simultaneously. The main cause of recurrence of varices in lower extremities in our sample was reflux especially in saphenofemoral junction and saphenopopliteal junction. Reflux in perforators was usually accompanied with saphenofemoral and/or saphenopopliteal junctions incompetence. Isolated reflux in perforators was found very rarely (6.4%). The cause of varices recurrence was not disclosed in 17% of cases.