In chronic venous insufficiency, the CEAP classification is the gold standard. A patient with active venous ulceration that has been present for 3 months, with varicose veins and telangiectasias, with saphenofemoral junction incompetence on duplex, is classified as:

• A C5, Ep, As, Pr
• B C6, Ep, As, Pr ✓
• C C4b, Es, Ad, Po
• D C6, Es, Ap, Pr

Explanation

CEAP classification: C6 denotes active venous ulcer; C5 is healed ulcer. Etiology Ep = primary (not secondary or congenital). Anatomy As = superficial (saphenofemoral incompetence). Pathophysiology Pr = reflux. Therefore this patient is C6, Ep, As, Pr — active ulcer, primary etiology, superficial venous system, with reflux as the pathophysiology. C4b includes lipodermatosclerosis without ulceration; Es denotes secondary etiology (post-thrombotic).

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.