Chapter 66 Varicose Veins
INTRODUCTION
Description: Varicose veins are dilated, elongated, and tortuous superficial veins with incompetent or congenitally absent valves. Although these may occur anywhere in the body, they are most common in the legs, where gravity produces reverse flow. Varicose veins are five times more common in women than in men.
ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS
Causes: Faulty or absent valves in one or more perforating veins that may result in secondary incompetence at the saphenofemoral junction. Other causes—deep vein thrombophlebitis, increased venous pressure from any source (e.g., obstruction by tumor, pregnancy, pelvic mass).