Within the last five years a number of new books on venous disorders have been produced. Previously the study of venous disease was well-served by the classic texts of Foote, Anning, Dodd and Cockett, and Hobbs, but these texts are now out of print and out of date. How does Larry Tretbar's book equate with its competition? Those of you who pick up or purchase this delightful little book will not be disappointed. It is a single author text which is clearly written and succinct. In just over 100 pages Tretbar distils the work of many of his larger competitors without losing any vital information along the way. He also provides new insights and ideas in many areas. Contents are set out in a standard format but the writing is pithy and the line drawings (mostly by the author himself) are clear and helpful. It excels in the management and treatment of varicose veins where the author has made his major contribution. The book contains many of the classic venous references though these of necessity cannot be comprehensive in the interest of brevity. Linton pointed out that diseases of the veins of the lower extremities are one of the commonest of human ailments that can be remedied by surgical measures. These disorders are often poorly managed by junior doctors who fail to acquaint themselves with the anatomy and pathophysiology of these disorders.

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1 Anatomy of the Leg Veins.- Configuration of the venous system.- Histology.- Venous innervation.- Embryology.- Venous systems of the foot.- Superficial venous system.- Greater (long) saphenous vein.- Lesser (short) saphenous vein.- Reticular vein system.- Accompanying nerves.- Deep venous system.- Intermuscular veins (venae comites).- Intramuscular veins.- Perforating veins.- Valves.- Comments.- References.- 2 Venous Function, Dysfunction and Venous Insufficiency.- Return of blood to the heart.- Venous pressure.- Chronic venous insufficiency.- Chronic venous hypertension.- Comments.- References.- 3 Clinical Phlebologic Evaluation.- History of present illness.- Past medical history.- Physical examination.- Comments.- References.- 4 Venous Testing, Non-Invasive and Invasive.- Non-invasive vascular testing: ultrasound.- Venous Doppler examination.- Duplex ultrasonography.- Plethysmography.- Magnetic resonance imaging.- Thermography.- Invasive vascular testing.- Comments.- References.- 5 Patterns of Varicose Vein Development/Principles of Treatment.- Common patterns of varicose vein development.- Non-saphenous veins.- Principles of treating varicose veins.- Greater saphenous vein incompetence.- Lesser saphenous vein incompetence.- Microincisional phlebectomy.- Comments.- References.- 6 History of Medical and Surgical Treatment of Varicose Veins.- Early surgical treatments.- British experience.- German experience.- Post-Trendelenburg experience.- American school of surgery.- Later American experience.- Follow-up.- Comments.- References.- 7 Contemporary Medical and Surgical Treatment of Varicose Veins.- Overview.- Greater saphenous vein incompetence.- Lesser saphenous vein incompetence.- Microincisional phlebectomy.- Valvuloplasty.- Surgical techniques.- New varicose veins.- Comments.- References.- 8 Injection Sclerotherapy.- Mechanism of action of sclerotherapy.- Types of sclerosant solutions.- Complications.- Side-effects.- Clinical applications.- Clinical approaches.- Clinical techniques.- Compression.- Comments.- References.- 9 Complications of Chronic Venous Insufficiency.- Cutaneous complications.- Treatment of chronic venous ulcers.- Comments.- References.- 10 Venous Thromboembolic Disease.- Pathogenesis of deep venous thrombosis.- Clinical experience.- Establishing a diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis.- Pulmonary embolism.- Treatment of venous thromboembolism.- General medical care.- Prevention of thromboembolism.- Comments.- References.- Color Plate Section.