The importance of small saphenous vein reflux on chronic venous disease clinic.

AIM

It is estimated that between 5% to 20% of the adult population in developed countries is affected by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), thus being the most frequent vascular disorder. Recent studies show that, in most CVI patients, their junctions are competent and the correlated superficial reflux is present along the saphenous vein. Objective of the study was to correlate the presence and distribution of reflux in the saphenous vein with the signs and symptoms of CVI, through CEAP, in female patients.

METHODS

Record review of patients with CVI signs and symptoms who underwent clinical and ultrasound examinations in order to classify them according to CEAP. The sample was divided into three groups according to the presence of saphenous vein insufficiency: Group I-SSV, Group II-GSV, and Group III-SSV and GSV.

RESULTS

A total of 312 lower limbs of 259 female patients aged between 15 and 85 years were examined. The most prevalent clinical classes in the three groups were C2 (44.55%) and C3 (46.48%). Four patterns of reflux were identified in isolated SSV, with the highest incidence of proximal reflux (69.23%). SPJ impairment was most likely to occur in clinical cases of greater severity. Five patterns of reflux were identified in GSV, with the proximal one the most prevalent (64.42%).

CONCLUSION

There is a correlation between the clinical severity of CVI and the reflux along the SSV in association with GSV; the risk of moderate to high clinical severity in group III was 3.6 times higher than in group I and 4.6 times higher than group II.