Abstract:Objective: To investigate the impact of operation for lower extremity superficial varicose veins on function of deep venous valves in patients with primary deep vein valvular incompetence (PDVI). Methods: The clinical data of 94 PDVI patients (95 limbs) undergoing surgery for superficial varicose veins of the lower extremity were retrospectively analyzed. The changes in deep venous valve function before and after operation were compared. Results: All the 95 limbs were definitely diagnosed to have PDVI by color Doppler ultrasonography before operation, in which according to CEAP classification, 31 limbs were classified as C2, 22 were C3, 25 were C4, 7 were C5, and 10 were C6, respectively. Results of color Doppler ultrasonography half a year after operation showed that valvular function returned to normal in 40 limbs (42.1%), improved in 21 limbs (22.1%), was unable to be determined in 23 limbs (24.2%), and the valvular incompetence was aggravated in 11 limbs (11.6%), 10 of which were classified as C5–6 by preoperative CEAP classification; the average valve closure time (VCT) and maximum velocity (Vmax) of the 95 limbs were all significantly decreased compared with preoperative values (both P<0.05). Conclusion: The valvular function of deep veins in PDVI patients may be improved to some extent after operation for lower extremity superficial varicose veins. However, for patients with C5–6 classification, the synchronous repair of deep vein valves is recommended because of the serious damage of their valvular function.