Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Kalp Damar Cerrahisi ABD., Isparta
Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Radyoloji ABD., Isparta In the elderly patients venous circulation functions impair due to insufficiency and degeneration of the venous valves. Saphenectomy in these cases may cause a prominent edema in the lower extremity. Evaluation of the lower extremity venous system is an efficient method. The condition of the deep veins, valve insufficiency and venous reflux can be evaluated by doppler ultrasound. This study was performed in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. We searched whether there was edema formation following saphenectomy in patients who had preoperatively normal venous function. Doppler ultrasonic examination was performed to both lower extremity preoperatively and in the postoperative first month. Venous and arterial flow velocities were measured. Venous system was evaluated considering thrombosis, reflux and valve insufficiency. We found that the leg edema was statistically insignificant in patients who had normal preoperative venous function. The incidence of leg edema will decrease if saphenectomy is performed in the elderly patients after evaluation of venous function with doppler ultrasound. Keywords : Venous edema, Saphenectomy, Doppler Ultrasound