The use of directional Doppler ultrasound in the assessment of saphenofemoral incompetence.
The prevalence of saphenofemoral incompetence in a series of 105 consecutive patients undergoing saphenofemoral ligation as part of an operation for primary varicose veins was determined using a directional continuous-wave Doppler ultrasonic device. Saphenofemoral incompetence was correctly predicted in 97% of limbs. Using conventional clinical methods, incompetence was correctly predicted in 82% of limbs. This difference was highly significant (P less than 0.01 McNemar). It is concluded that a directional Doppler ultrasonic assessment is a useful aid in the pre-operative determination of saphenofemoral incompetence.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000601:surgery; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis*