The relation among the diameter of the great saphenous vein, clinical state and haemodynamic pattern of the saphenofemoral junction in chronic superficial venous insufficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To find out if there is a relation among the diameter of the great saphenous vein (GSV) when it is incompetent, the clinical gravity of the varicose syndrome and the type of insufficiency of the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) by means of duplex exploration.


METHODS
The sample included 145 extremities, 38 normal as a control group and 107 with incompetence of the GSV. According to the results of the Valsalva and Parana manoeuvres in the SFJ, they were distributed into four groups. The diameter of the GSV and the clinical state according to the clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological element classification were recorded for each group.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were obtained for the diameter and the clinical state in patients with positive manoeuvres with regard to other groups. The diameter was greater and the clinical state more severe (C4, C5 and C6) when two manoeuvres were positive.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of both positive manoeuvres in the SFJ is related to severe clinical states and greater diameters of the GSV, allowing the establishment of a prognosis of the CVI and the most suitable surgical approach.
Mdez-Herrero
A
A
Department of Vascular Surgery, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. angelsidi@hotmail.com
Gutiérrez
J
J
Camblor
L
L
Carreño
J
J
Llaneza
J
J
Rguez-Olay
J
J
Suarez
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011379:Prognosis; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery