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Examination of the Great Saphenous Vein

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Duplex Ultrasound of Superficial Leg Veins

Abstract

The great saphenous vein is by far the most frequently examined and treated vein of all the superficial veins. Furthermore, the majority of venous studies are performed on the great saphenous vein. Duplex ultrasound makes it possible to assess the vein very accurately before and after intervention.

Assessing the great saphenous vein with duplex ultrasound is a relatively new concept with some surgeons still performing surgery without considering the need of a preoperative scan. The first international consensus document appeared in 2006 (Coleridge-Smith et al., Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 31:1–10, 2006) with the object of producing a standard ultrasound protocol which would encourage consistency between treatments, doctors and hospitals. This development was welcomed as it was a first step towards standardisation. Since then there have been several recommendations from various international societies in an attempt to improve the examination of the great saphenous vein and the rest of the superficial venous network.

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Correspondence to Erika Mendoza MD, PhD .

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Mendoza, E., Morrison, N., Lattimer, C.R. (2014). Examination of the Great Saphenous Vein. In: Mendoza, E., Lattimer, C., Morrison, N. (eds) Duplex Ultrasound of Superficial Leg Veins. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40731-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40731-4_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-40731-4

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