Pregnancy and varicose veins.

IT IS well recognized that varicose veins of the lower extremities are a common complication of pregnancy. The purpose of this paper is to point out that, in our opinion, it is a safe and practical procedure in selected cases to carry out vein surgery in the early postpartum period. Etiology The etiology of varicose veins is related to several factors including heredity, postural strain, trauma, compression or constriction of veins, and phlebitis of the deep venous system of the legs. It is also recognized that patients who develop varicose veins do so as a result of a basic valvular defect in their veins. Varicose veins of the lower extremities are usually the result of short saphenopopliteal insufficiency, saphenofemoral insufficiency and/or incompetent perforating veins. In pregnancy the venous system of the round ligament is also often involved. The varices seen in pregnancy usually appear during the first trimester before the