[Early diagnosis of saphenous insufficiency]

For an adequate treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs, it is essential to detect underlying saphenous insufficiency as soon as possible. Clinical examination alone will permit us to diagnose saphenous insufficiency right at the earliest moment. This can be classified into three categories, according to the degree of development: definite (saphenous vein tortuous and very dilated); probable (saphenous vein linear and slightly dilated); possible (saphenous vein appears normal). The article contains the criteria for diagnosis for each of these categories, and also the management to be adopted in each case.