Chronic venous insufficiency--a well-known disorder with many question marks.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common disorder found in many parts of the world. The pathophysiology of this condition is only partly elucidated, and even the development of varicose veins remains unexplained. Microcirculation is greatly affected by CVI, which occasionally induces skin changes and ulcers. Although varicose veins are a common symptom of CVI, they are absent in many patients. Thus, clinical examination is often insufficient for the diagnosis of CVI. Furthermore, the treatment of a common disorder such as CVI is frequently inadequate. The author discusses the overfrequent use of varicose vein surgery, where compression treatment would seem more appropriate and effective, and the current status of compression in the treatment of deep vein incompetence. He recommends that the various manifestations of CVI should be more thoroughly classified. He also examines how sclerotherapy is used to various extents in different countries. Finally he discusses the use of various drugs in the treatment of CVI. It is clear that the pathophysiology and the treatment of CVI must be further examined, in particular to determine whether prevention is possible.