[Value of varicography in the preoperative assessment of lower limb varicosities (author's transl)].

The author's experience of a 100 pilot cases revives the role of varicography for the preoperative evaluation of varicose veins in the lower limbs. This procedure consists of directly injecting the contrast medium into the varicose network. The technique is described in full details, also with several recommendations aimed at preventing potential side effects. The main advantages of direct varicography over "downstream" ascending phlebography include: 1 degrees clearer opacification of the connections between the varicose plexuses, the deep venous line and the paraaxial surface routes; 2 degrees more reliable detection of any deep- seated incompetence. Varicography seems to be particularly useful for the reevaluation of varicose veins after surgical failure; for studying perineal varicosities; and for finding out the source of external varicose veins at the thigh or lower leg.