الفهرس 
Anatomy and histology of lower limb venous systemOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Varicose veins were first described over 3500 years ago (Bryan et al., 1990).
Chronic venous disease (CVD) is the most common vascular disorder. It is caused by venous hypertension due to either reflux, outflow obstruction, or both (Criqui, 2003).
Varicose veins have a significant impact on society, affecting 32%of women and 40% of men in United States and in Europe. Great saphenous vein reflux is the most common underlying cause of significant varicose veins (Darwood et al., 2008).
Venous varicosity of lower extremities can be caused insufficiency of either superficial venous system itself or secondary to insufficiency of perforator or deep venous system (Min et al., 2003).
The frequency of more severe chronic venous signs like eczema, pigmentation and dermatoliposclerosis or venous ulceration reaches a prevalence of about 3% in men and women. Varicose veins with out skin changes can be found in about 20% of general population (Carpentier et al.,2004)
Cosmetic concerns relate to varicose veins themselves and any skin changes (Darwood et al .,2008).
In 1917,”Homans” commented on the relationship between deep vein thrombosis and vein valve destruction following recanalization of a thrombosed vein. This was followed by the development of a venous ulceration, which he called a ”varicose ulcer” and said that it was ”a poor man’s disease.(Baron, 2004).
The diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency is made via patient history and physical examination with the assistance of non invasive testing .invasive testing also may be used to establish the diagnosis (Robert et al., 2005)
Diagnosis of varicose veins by Duplex scanning has become the method of choice for the investigations of venous reflux. It combines the assessment of anatomic structure and the functional evaluation of blood flow to enable quantification of reflux duration in specific superficial and deep vein segments. In addition, as a noninvasive and repeatable method of measurement, it is suitable for use in epidemiological studies (Evans, 1998).
Treatment of varicose veins either conservative or operative.
Conservative measures include leg elevation to reduce edema sclerotherapy and elastic stockings (Robert et al., 2005).
Surgical treatemnt dates since Hippocrates in 500 B.C. when he punctured the varix in many places (philip and Fenny, 1951).
Opearative measures include ligation stripping with early and late complication (perrin et al.,2000).
New techniques have been developed in treatment of varicose veins and include radiofrequency laser ablation and cryosurgery (Javid et al., 2007) Foam sclerotherapy (Disselhoff et al.,2008).
Sclerotherapy represents another therapeutic possibility that found wide acceptance thanks to the pioneering works of Sigg, Tournay, and Fegan. Surgery and sclerotherapy were often compared with each other as competing procedures. (De Roos, 2003).
Lasers have been used to treat leg telangiectasias since the early 1970. Early results were often unsatisfactory, and pain, scarring, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and recurrence after treatment were common.
The development of newer lasers over the last 20 years has eliminated many of these problems and allows for safer, more effective treatment. (Chess, Chess, 1993).