Clinical Manifestations in Patients with Segmental Hypoplasia of Great Saphenous Vein

Objectives: Segmental hypoplasia of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is a common condition which may cause chronic venous insufficiency. Despite the high incidence thereof, few studies have investigated GSV hypoplasia. We evaluated the presentations of patients with GSV segmental hypoplasia. Design: Prospective study Setting: Bozok Universty, School of Medicine, Yozgat, Turkey Subjects and methods: Demographic and clinical data, duplex ultrasound findings, length and location of the narrowing segments, and coexisting chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with segmental hypoplasia of the GSV were grouped according to the length and midpoint location of the narrow segment. The SPSS version 18.0 was used to conduct statistical tests. P-values < 0.05 were deemed to indicate statistical significance. Intervention: Ultrasound Main outcome measure: Hypoplastic GSV segments evaluation with ultrasonography Results: The study included 163 patients, 20% of whom were of an advanced age. We observed 257 extremities of the 163 patients. Varicose findings were observed in 62% of all patients. Comorbid CVI was significantly more common in the elderly than in the younger patients (P = 0.008). Skin changes occurred more frequently in male than in female (P = 0.016) and in elderly than in younger (P = 0.019) patients. The most common site of narrowing segments was below the knee. Conclusion: Segmental hypoplasia of the GSV commonly occurs in females. Male sex and advanced age are risk factors for skin changes, varicose findings, and DVT. DVT is more common in patients with hypoplastic segments longer than 5 cm.