ABSTRACT
Adequate high-quality diagnostics of primary varicosis of the lower extremities is a challenging problem bearing in mind its high prevalence and social significance. This review focuses on historical aspects of the problem and current views of domestic and foreign specialists. Special attention is given to the treatment of main-stem venous reflux as a principal pathogenetic mechanisms of progressive venous insufficiency. The history of development and improvement of surgical methods for the treatment of the disease, from traumatic to minimally invasive outpatient interventions is expounded with the emphasis on modern endovasal techniques for correction of pathological venous reflux (radiofrequency obliteration and laser coagulation). The important role of phleboscleroobliteration in the treatment of primary varicosis is underscored. It is maintained that sclerotherapy remains an accessible effective method for the correction of varicose disease. Intraoperative catheter stem scleroobliteration of the main vessels yields good results provided the main principles of surgical intervention are met. Some unresolved problems include the choice of more informative indications for the treatment of primary varicosis of the lower extremities on an individual basis.