Comparison of Doppler Ultrasonographic Findings in Complicated and Uncomplicated Lower-Limb Varicose Veins

Background/Objective: Comparing anatomicopathologic findings in complicated and uncomplicated lower-limb varicose veins by ultrasonography. Patients and Methods: Totally, 231 consecutive patients [148 (64%) men; mean age, 46.8± 14.3 years (range: 16-88 years)]; 155 (54%) left and 132 (46%) right variceal legs were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography with color-flow imaging using a 7.5-10 MHZ linear probe. The lower extremity venous system (including perforators and valves) were evaluated in the supine and standing position, at rest and during Valsalva’s maneuver. Chi square and Fischer’s exact tests were used for statistical analysis. We also performed a logistic regression analysis considering presence of any type of complication as the dependent variable and anatomic pathologies as independent variables. Results: Of the 287 limbs with varicose veins, 124 (43%) had at least one complication (ulceration, pigmentation or infection). The highest complication rate was seen simultaneously with chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with segmental obstruction (76.9) and the lowest complication rate in the incompetent valves was seen in patients with perforan vein reflux (50.4%). Mostly, the complication rate was higher in patients with the pathology in comparison to patients without it (p values<0.005). In a multivariate logistic regression model, presence of DVT and saphenofemoral incompetency were statistically significant in the model in comparison to other pathologies (OR=10.6 and 7, respectively, p values<0.02). In 175 patients (75.8%) one of the legs were involved Conclusion: Presence of ulcer, pigmentation and infection are significantly associated with a higher incidence of DVT, deep vein, saphenofemoral and saphenopopliteal incompetency in patients with lower limb varices.