Quantitative measurements of venous reflux by duplex scanning of the incompetent long saphenous vein before and after high ligation at the saphenofemoral junction.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of high ligation of the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) on the amount of reflux in the long saphenous vein using quantitative duplex scanning.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Teaching hospital, The Netherlands.


METHODS
23 patients presented with 29 limbs showing signs of isolated insufficiency of the long saphenous vein.


METHODS
High ligation of the SFJ.


METHODS
Duration of reflux (s), peak velocity (m/s), mean velocity (m/s) and mean flow (ml/s) at the SFJ, and in the mid-thigh, the distal thigh and the proximal lower leg before and four weeks after high ligation.


RESULTS
All variables except duration of reflux improved significantly at all levels in the 29 limbs studied. One limb showed no improvement in flow at the level of the SFJ, 9 in the mid-thigh, 13 in the distal thigh, and 15 in the proximal lower leg (just below the knee).


CONCLUSIONS
High ligation was effective in reducing reflux at the SFJ, but in about half the limbs the distal reflux in the long saphenous vein remained.
de Haan
R J
RJ
Department of Surgery and Vascular Laboratory, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Legemate
D A
DA
van Gurp
J M
JM
Leeuwenberg
A
A
D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery