[Current studies useful for indications in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs. Preoperative explorations].

The preoperative assessment of varicose veins usually requires the use of ultrasound methods to specify and localize the various sources of reflux in the saphenous junctions, perforating veins and saphenous branches. Continuous wave Doppler (CW) is the basic technique used to investigate reflux and usefully completes clinical examination of varicose veins. Duplex-scan provides morphological analysis of the veins and studies the direction of flow in a precise site. It is particularly useful to study the saphenous-junction, perforating veins and deep vems. Color Doppler imaging (CDI) offers the advantage of duplex-scanning, withe visualization of great volumes of measurement whit blue or red colour-coding according to the direction of flow. All haemodynamic and morphological findings must be reported on a diagram to establish "mapping" of pathological veins.