How do you check for presence of communicating veins?
By using another maneuver devised by Trendelenburg. This consists of applying a tourniquet on the saphenous vein while the patient is still supine and the varicose veins are engorged. The leg is then raised high above the level of the heart, and varicosities are closely monitored. If they gradually disappear, this indicates that there is a communication between the saphenous and the deep veins, that the valves of these
communicating veins are competent, and that the deep venous system is patent. Conversely, if the veins
remain engorged, this indicates either occlusion of the deep venous system or absence of the communicating veins.
By using another maneuver devised by Trendelenburg. This consists of applying a tourniquet on the saphenous vein while the patient is still supine and the varicose veins are engorged. The leg is then raised high above the level of the heart, and varicosities are closely monitored. If they gradually disappear, this indicates that there is a communication between the saphenous and the deep veins, that the valves of these
communicating veins are competent, and that the deep venous system is patent. Conversely, if the veins
remain engorged, this indicates either occlusion of the deep venous system or absence of the communicating veins.