Intact ovarian vein wall and structural changes associated with pelvic varicose vein disease are not well understood in the modern literature. Further researches are needed in this area.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze normal morphology of the ovarian vein wall and its structural changes associated with pelvic varicose vein disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied 29 histological specimens of excised ovarian vein in 27 patients with pelvic varicose vein disease. The diagnosis was established by the instrumental methods. Survey was followed by ovarian vein resection. Morphological structure of intact ovarian veins was studied using 20 specimens in 10 female dead. Hematoxylin-eosin and Van Gieson staining was applied. We used light microscopy for structural analysis. Features and severity of pathological processes were assessed throughout the all layers of venous wall.

RESULTS

Intact vein structure was similar to veins of a weak muscular type. This ensures venous outflow through the ovarian vein. Pelvic varicose vein disease was followed by significant structural changes in all layers of the venous wall including atrophic, fibroplastic and hypertrophic processes. The last ones resulted loss of functional properties. There were 3 types of ovarian vein lesions: hypertrophic type in 12 (44.4%) women, fibrous type in 7 (25.9%) cases and atrophic type in 8 (29.6%) women. Severity of ovarian vein lesion correlated with duration of disease, number of risk factors and pregnancies and early age of menarche.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic varicose vein disease is followed by structural and functional reorganization of all layers of the ovarian vein. Compensatory changes with compaction and hypertrophy of the all layers predominate at the early stages of disease (hypertrophic type of lesion). Further progression of disease is accompanied by predominant fibrous changes. Atrophic type of lesion with predominant sclerotic processes are more common in decompensated stages.