title: Patterns of short saphenous vein incompetence.
abstract: The significance of short saphenous vein (SSV) reflux is an under-explored territory in chronic venous disease (CVD). We have examined the origin and significance of SSV reflux in primary and secondary CVD. While the natural history of SSV incompetence remains uncertain, its prevalence has been shown to approximate 3.5%, rising with progressing clinical venous insufficiency, and bears an association with lateral malleolar venous ulceration. The most common pattern of reflux extends throughout the SSV. Patterns of incompetence in recurrent disease are highly variable, but SSV reflux may itself pose a risk for recurrence, in part due to the complex anatomy of the saphenopopliteal system. Further studies are required to delineate the impact of SSV reflux in secondary venous disease and deep venous incompetence.
authors.affiliation: Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Imperial College London, 4 North, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, UK.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.forename: T R A
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy