[Surgical treatment of varices at the stage of trophic disorders in chronic venous insufficiency].

Most ulcers of the lower limbs are caused by existing chronic venous insufficiency. Later on, true social and professional problems will arise, with serious economic and psychological consequences not only for the patient himself, but for the community as well, such as huge medical costs--hence the importance of prevention and treatment, which must in no case be purely symptomatic. The ligation of the arch and of the perforating veins and stripping of the affected vein are part of the classical management of varices. These procedures can may prove to be virtually impossible in case of chronic venous insufficiency, if the patient also presents with subcutaneous liposclerosis or atrophy in an already pregangrenous skin. This preulcerous stage can be aggravated later on if the requirements for surgical repair are not met. Necrosis can then occur, if too aggressive surgery directly or indirectly injures the microcirculatory system of the damaged skin. Omitted or undesirable acts are dangerous at the stage of trophic disorders and surgery may fail to reach its aim, which of course would be to definitively and quickly eliminate the varicose disease.