Pattern and modes of presentation of varicose veins of lower limbs
Keywords:
Varicose veins, Prevalence, Mode of presentation, Saphenous nerveAbstract
Background: Varicose veins of the lower extremities are one of the most common peripheral vascular diseases and calls for treatment. Therefore the present study was undertaken to study the pattern and various modes of presentation of the patient with varicosities of the lower limbs.
Methods: The study was conducted in teaching & general hospital and government general hospital, attached to medical college. A detail clinical history was taken and a thorough clinical examination was done. The signs and symptoms of patients were reported.
Results: 42 cases were afflicted with varicose veins of the lower extremities comprising only 10.99% of the total admissions with vascular complaints. Maximum incidence was in the age group 21-40 years (61.9%). 57.14% of cases were involved in occupation requiring prolonged periods of standing and/ or violent muscular contraction. The most common presenting complaint was pain which varied from dragging pain to night cramps associated with heaviness of the limbs. Edema was present in 11 cases, predominantly localized to below knee with pitting nature.
Conclusion: Our study revealed that the disease is most prevalent in the 2nd and 3rd decades of life. We concluded that occupation involving prolonged standing and/or violent muscular contractions contribute to or precipitate varicose veins if not actually cause them.
References
Bailey H. Demonstration of physical sign in clinical surgery of varicose veins. Indian J Med Sci. 1963;19:431.
Cockett FB. The pathology and treatment of venous ulcers of the leg. Br J Surg. 1955;43:260.
Burkitt DP. Varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis and hemorrhoids, Epidemiology and suggested etiology. Br Med J. 1972;2:556.
Wedell JM. Varicose veins: a pilot survey. Br J Pr Soc Med. 1969;23:179.
Burnand KG, O’Donnel TF, Thomas ML, Brows NL. The relative importance of incompetent communicating veins in the production of varicose veins and venous ulcers. Surgery. 1977;82:9-14.
Linton RR. The communicating veins of the lower leg and the operative technique for their ligation. Ann Surg. 1938;107:582.
Huse JB, Nobseth DC, Bush HL, Widrich WC, Johnson WC. Direct venous surgery for venous valvular insufficiency of the lower extremity. Arch Surg. 1983;118:719-23.
Reagan B, Folse R. Lower limb venous dynamics in normal persons and children with varicose veins. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1971;132:15.
Vaidyanathan S. Subfascial ligation of incompetent ankle perforators (Lintons Flap procedure) in venous ulcers and stasis dermatitis. Indian J Surg. 1985;47:495-504.
Cotton LT. Varicose veins, gross anatomy and development. Br Surg J. 1961;48:589.
Negus D. Calf pain in post-thrombotic syndrome. Br Med J. 1968;2:156.
Grunjobust W. Injuries to saphenous nerve following operation for varicose veins. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1964;119:359.
Berard A, Kahn SR, Abenhaim L. Is hormone replacement therapy protective for venous ulcer of the lower limbs? Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Safe. 2001 May;10(3):245-51.
