Approximately 1% of the population will experience a leg ulcer, with groat expences for the community. The aim of this study was to study noninvasively these patients' veins for possible sequelae after deep venous thrombosis (DVT), reflux in the deep or superficial veins or insufficient perforators.
Patients and methods. We studied 33 patients with a 3.5 MHz probe for abdominal scanning and a 7 MHz probe for the legs. The deep vein system was examined in the supine and prone positions from the common iliac vein to the ankle. Compression ultrasound, duplex and color was used. The standing patient was examined for reflux and the perforators were interrogated with the patient sitting. The examination time was approximately 60 minutes per patient.
Results. Twelve patients had postthrombotic changes in the deep vein system. Twenty-two had reflux, 8 in the superficial veins, 3 in the deep veins and 11 in both systems. All 33 patients had one or more insufficent perforators, most often located to the medial side of the calf.
Conclusion. Patients with venous leg ulcers have a variety of defects in the deep and superficial veins and the perforators. These lesions can be mapped by triplex ultrasound.