[Primary varicosis of the lower extremity (author's transl)].

Primary varicosis is due to congenital or acquired defects of the venous wall and valves. Subjective patient complaints are often different and even in contrast to clinical findings. The combination of insufficiency of the large superficial veins and insufficiency of the perforating veins often leads to chronic venous insufficiency with crural ulceration. Phlebography is indicated prior to surgery in order to evaluate the deep and the perforating veins and to check for variants. The recurrance rate for varicosis is low if all insufficient superficial and perforating veins are made functionless.