The field of chronic venous disease has suffered from a lack of precision in diagnosis. This deficiency has led to conflicting reports in studies of management of specific venous problem. The establishment of an uniform language for classifying the findings of CVD was needed. In 1995, the CEAP classification was proposed for classification and grading of CVD on the basis of clinical manifestations (C), etiologic factors (E), anatomic distribution of involvement (A) and underlying pathophysiologic findings (P). The purpose was to provide a comprehensive objective classification that could be used world-wide and serve as a basis for more scientific analysis of management alternatives.