I had EVLT with phlebectomies, surgeon said there were complications since I had a second saphenous vein.What are possible reasons for two in one leg?
I'm a tall 31yr old female and have been getting quickly worsening varicose veins over the past 2-3 years. Active in sports when younger, had some injuries.I have also had persistent problems with my left foot (same leg as this extra vein) since I was a child, and the toes became clawed and I have had 3 surgeries trying to correct the pain caused by them. I have joint hypermobility and already arthritis in back and knees, fused C5/6 vertebrae, and lumbosacral scoliosis. Is all this connected?
Answers from doctors (5)
This 31 year old female who had 'EVLT phlebectomies followed by rapidly worsening varicose veins "over the past 2-3 years" and a second or "extra" saphenous vein on the left' asks several questions. She says that she was told that her the left leg complications were due to the second saphenous vein.
Most commonly there is only 1 Great Saphenous Vein in each leg. I personally have seen 2, 3 and rarely seen as many as 4 in one leg. The use of venous ultrasound during the initial evaluation identifies each vein including how many plus if they are functioning properly and improperly. This avoids any surprises in understanding their numbers or functioning later. If there is more than 1 incompetent or malfunctioning saphenous vein in 1 leg, they may both be treated during the same session.
This young woman with "quickly worsening varicose veins" most probably has venous insufficiency and it may arise from and additional saphenous vein. It may also arise from other veins in other locations. Identification is critical and venous ultrasound usually the best method of detection.
Treatment of all of the remaining pathology clearly would be expected to eliminate the varicose veins. If the doctor is not able to enter the "second saphenous vein" or any other malfunctioning vein with his EVLT laser, then sclerotherapy treatment would be the treatment of choice. Frankly, sclerotherapy always is my first treatment of choice.
The 'persistent left foot problems since childhood' may or may not be related to blood flow. I would expect that the Arterial and Venous blood flow studies were performed prior to any surgical intervention. Your surgeons would be able to answer that question.
I would not expect that your joint hypermobility, knee and back arthritis, C5/6 fusion or your lumbosacral scoliosis are related to you having a second saphenous vein.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Duplicated, or bifid, greater saphenous veins is seen in at least 5% of the population. There are many anatomical variants with veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Duplication of saphenous veins do occur but the duplication does not need to be treated unless it is refluxing and causing symptoms. Prior foot surgery should not affect your veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You could have ehlers danlos syndrome (EDS) with the joint hyper mobility and varicose veins. You could talk to your physician
Published on Jul 11, 2012
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