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Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane
Published on: December 9, 2022
A study to evaluate patterns of superficial venous reflux in patients with primary chronic venous disease
Mahim I Qureshi1, Manj Gohel1, Louise Wing1
1Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, UK.
Objective:
This study assessed patterns of superficial reflux in patients with primary chronic venous disease.
Methods:
Retrospective review of all patient venous duplex ultrasonography reports at one institution between 2000 and 2009. Legs with secondary, deep or no superficial reflux were excluded.
Results:
In total, 8654 limbs were scanned; 2559 legs from 2053 patients (mean age 52.3 years) were included for analysis. Great saphenous vein reflux predominated (68%), followed by combined great saphenous vein/small saphenous vein reflux (20%) and small saphenous vein reflux (7%). The majority of legs with competent saphenofemoral junction had below-knee great saphenous vein reflux (53%); incompetent saphenofemoral junction was associated with combined above and below-knee great saphenous vein reflux (72%). Isolated small saphenous vein reflux was associated with saphenopopliteal junction incompetence (61%), although the majority of all small saphenous vein reflux limbs had a competent saphenopopliteal junction (57%).
Conclusion:
Superficial venous reflux does not necessarily originate from a saphenous junction. Large prospective studies with interval duplex ultrasonography are required to unravel the natural history of primary chronic venous disease.
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