[Elasticity of the skin in chronic venous insufficiency].

The results of our measurements of skin elasticity at the level of the calf, show that the existence of a cutaneous pump is unlikely. In addition, they are not consistent with the suggestion that the skin acts as an elastic stocking. In case of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), the loss of elasticity which is demonstrated, is probably secondary to a persisting dermal edema. In patients with essential varicosities, a significant loss of elasticity is only noted in case of reticular varicosities. Essential truncular varicosities are not accompanied with a significant loss of elasticity. It is therefore highly likely that truncular varicosities and reticular varicosities do not have the same etiology.