title: Preoperative colour-coded duplex examination of the saphenopopliteal junction in recurrent varicosis of the short saphenous vein.
abstract: Undetected anatomical variations of the short saphenous vein are a major contributing factor to recurrent varicose veins in the saphenous vein area. Perioperative venography and varicography of the short saphenous vein have been proposed as a means of exact localization of its termination. The present study evaluated whether colour-coded duplex examination constituted a reliable alternative for localization of the saphenopopliteal junction. Between 1989 and 1990, 12 patients were reoperated on after previous classical ligation of the short saphenous vein. Preoperative colour-coded duplex examination revealed an abnormally high saphenopopliteal junction with persistent reflux in 11 patients and a Giacomini vein in one. When comparing these results with venographic and operative findings an accuracy of 100% was reached in these specific cases. It is concluded that for patients with recurrent varicosis of the short saphenous vein, preoperative colour-coded duplex examination provides a reliable non-invasive alternative to venography in the exact localization of the saphenopopliteal junction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: De Maeseneer
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: De Hert
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Van Schil
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Vanmaele
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Eyskens
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery