[Varices along the segment of the internal saphenous vein]

Four hundred and twenty two patients, i.e. 607 legs, were examined by 7.5 Herz continuous mode Doppler in order to determine the value of treatment of long saphenous insufficiency. History, subjective symptoms and physical finding were compared with the aim of determining the incidence of absence of deep valves. Pain, tiredness and swelling were found 550 times, accompanied by deep insufficiency in 266 cases. There was a history of thrombosis in 35 cases. There were subjective symptoms only in 30 and absence of deep valves in 14. Results of clinical examination: 554 cases of saphenous insufficiency were confirmed 425 times by Doppler examination, i.e. 72 per cent of legs which had been treated by stripping and clinical examination nevertheless showed 81 cases of superficial insufficiency. This leads to the conclusion that history is no longer valid in the diagnosis of an old thrombosis. Clinical examination is very reliable, giving results identical of superior to those of Doppler studies. Saphenous varicosities are accompanied by functional disturbances which can be explained by the frequent absence of valves in the deep system.