[Short saphenous vein incompetence as a cause of recurrent varicose veins].

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was the retrospective ultrasound Doppler evaluation the patients with recurrent varicose veins after surgery of the short saphenous vein incompetence. This study was performed in 35 patients (42 limbs). Mean interval between the time of operation and ultrasound Doppler evaluation was 4.9 years. The causes of the recurrence were divided due to F. Vin and F. Chleir classification. Recurrences were classified in five categories. The main causes of recurrence were: the remains of the short saphenous vein in primary operation (52.3%) and junctional stump with incontinent collaterals (26.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence of varicose veins is mostly associated with incompetence of short saphenous vein. The colour-coded duplex sonography is a modern tool in preoperative diagnostics of anatomical variety of short saphenous vein and in establishing the cause of the recurrence. USG evaluation could make precise operation easier and in a case of recurrence helps to eliminate the origin of reflux.