title: Importance of subfascial collaterals in deep-vein malformations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The removal of varicose veins in patients with absent or hypoplastic deep veins is contraindicated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine a reliable examination for detection of the function of subfascial collaterals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five crural ulcer limbs with deep-vein aplasia and hypoplasia were operated on. In all cases, a segmental or total deep-vein aplasia (four cases) or hypoplasia (one case) was found in the affected limb by venography. Patients were selected for surgery using a new modification of the Perthes test. Radical varicectomy was performed in every case using stripper and open varicectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no circulatory complication during or after the operation. Crural ulcers healed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The agenesia or hypoplasia of a shorter or longer segment of deep veins is not a contraindication to radical varicectomy in every patient.
authors.affiliation: National Health Service Center, Cardiovascular Surgical Department, Budapest, Hungary. biharimi@freemail.hu
authors.forename: Imre
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bihari
authors.forename: Geza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tasnádi
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bihari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010690:Phlebography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D014680:Veins / Q000002:abnormalities*