Deep and superficial venous insufficiency

In 20% of patients with varicose veins due to superficial vein leaks, deep leakage was also detected. After treatment for superficial balls in these patients, the fate of deep leakage has been evaluated by various studies.

After the clean blood brought by our arteries in the leg is used by tissues and organs, it is sent to the lungs through our veins to be oxygenated to the heart and then to oxygen to the heart.

There are deep veins traveling between the muscles carrying 90% of the dirty blood in the leg and superficial veins traveling over the muscles under the skin. In both veins, there are valves that only allow the blood to go forward and prevent escape.

Deep veins and superficial veins join in the groin area and in the back of the leg. The most common cause of varicose veins and venous insufficiency is the abduction of the valves in the junction areas. In these patients, the current from the surface to the deep reverses and begins to flow deeply to the surface. Accordingly, with signs of venous insufficiency in the leg; In addition to complaints such as pain, swelling, cramping, burning, darkening in color, and varicose veins occur.

Surgical or ablation (laser, radiofrequency, adhesive) treatment for venous insufficiency or varicose veins is the elimination of leakage in the junction area.

In 20% of patients with varicose veins due to superficial vein leaks, deep leakage was also detected. After treatment for superficial balls in these patients, the fate of deep leakage has been evaluated by various studies. The general opinion is that these patients and complaints in patients with deep vein failure will continue after the elimination of leakage and varicose veins in the superficial veins. However, the studies carried out have shown results that show the exact opposite.

After the treatments for superficial vein or varicose veins accompanied by deep vein insufficiency, 94% of deep vein leaks showed complete improvement. Studies have shown that deep vein leaks also develop due to superficial leaks. As the most important reason for this, it has been suggested that the blood escaping from the groin or the junction areas behind the leg to deep superficial balls return to deep and increase the deep vein load. With the elimination of superficial leaks, they will tend to decrease or disappear deep vein volume load and leaks.

Superficial vein leaks constitute the most important cause of chronic venous insufficiency developing in the legs. Chronic venous deficiencies due to deep veins develop as a result of damage to the valves during deep vein thrombosis (clot formation). In these patients, superficial vein leakage and varicose veins will develop as the superficial vein flow will increase due to the deep vein partial or full occlusion. Ablation or surgical treatment of these leaks and varicose veins will further increase the patient's complaints. The best treatment to be applied in these patients will be regulation and compression stockings.

Prof.Dr.ilhan Gölbaşı