Preoperative colour-coded duplex examination of the saphenopopliteal junction in recurrent varicosity of the short saphenous vein.

Undetected anatomical variations of the short saphenous vein (SSV) are a major contributing factor to recurrent varicose veins in the SSV area. Preoperative venography and varicography of the SSV have been proposed as a means of exact localization of its termination. The present study evaluated whether colour-coded duplex (CCD) examination constituted a reliable alternative for localization of the saphenopopliteal (SP) junction. Between 1989 and 1990, 12 patients were reoperated on after previous classical ligation of the SSV. Preoperative CCD examination revealed an abnormally high SP junction with persistent reflux in 11 patients and a Giacomini vein in one patient. When comparing these results with venographic and operative findings an accuracy of 100% was reached in these specific cases. It is concluded that for patients with recurrent varicosis of the SSV preoperative CCD examination provides a reliable non-invasive alternative for venography in the exact localization of the SP junction.