Varicose veins

Question 1

What are the 3 features of varicose veins?

Answer 1

Dilated
Tortuous
Incompetent valves

Question 2

What diameter must the vein be to be a varicose vein?

Answer 2

> 6mm

Question 3

How can you investigate varicose veins?

Answer 3

Hx
Ex
DUPLEX scan

Question 4

Explain the management of varicose veins

Answer 4

Conservative: compression, moisturiser
Medical: X
Surgical: stripping, endovenous laser ablation, foam sclerotherapy

Question 5

In increasing severity list the complications of varicose veins

Answer 5

cosmetic
itching
phlebitis
varicose eczema
Haemosiderin
LDS- lipodermatosclerosis
Ulceration
Bleeding

Question 6

Which complications of varicose veins will the NHS treat?

Answer 6

LDS (lipodermatosclerosis), ulceration and bleeding

Question 7

Explain the venous anatomy of the leg

Answer 7

At the saphenofemoral junction in the groin the vein splits into the long saphenous vein and the femoral vein. the femoral vein becomes the popliteal vein and at the saphenopopliteal junction splits into the short saphenous vein and popliteal vein. the popliteal vein then branches into the posterior and anterior tibial veins distally.