ABSTRACT
Comparing anatomicopathologic findings in complicated and uncomplicated lower-limb varicose veins by ultrasonography. 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. 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 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