The classic saphenofemoral junction and its anatomical variations

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panos Souroullas ◽  
Rachel Barnes ◽  
George Smith ◽  
Sandip Nandhra ◽  
Dan Carradice ◽  
...  

Background The intraoperative anatomy of the saphenofemoral junction can vary from the ‘textbook’ description of six independent proximal tributaries: three medial – superficial external pudendal, deep external pudendal and the posteromedial thigh branch – and three lateral – superficial epigastric, superficial circumflex iliac and the anterolateral thigh branch. Varicose veins can recur following inadequate initial open surgery with failure to identify, ligate and divide these tributaries. An appreciation of common anatomical variations could minimise recurrence rates following surgery. This study aimed to identify common anatomical variations within our patient cohort. Methods This prospective observational study documented diagrammatically the anatomy of saphenofemoral junction in a consecutive series of 172 patients undergoing unilateral, primary saphenofemoral junction ligation for symptomatic superficial venous insufficiency. Diagrams recorded the number of tributaries and their relationship to the saphenofemoral junction, the existence of bifid systems and the relationship of the external pudendal artery to the saphenofemoral junction. Results In sum, 110 women and 62 men with a mean age of 47.2 (IQR 21–77) years were studied. The median number of saphenofemoral junction tributaries was 4 (IQR 0–7). In 74 cases (43.0%), at least one tributary drained directly into the common femoral vein (IQR 0–4), commonly the deep external pudendal (91.9%). The anterolateral thigh branch was identified in 62 cases (35.8%) and the posteromedial thigh branch in 93 cases (53.8%). The external pudendal artery was identified in 150 cases (87.2%) and was superficial to the great saphenous vein in 36 cases (20.9%). Conclusions Significant variations exist in the saphenofemoral junction anatomy. Familiarity with anatomical saphenofemoral junction variations is imperative to ensure operative success and reduce recurrence. Thorough dissection of the common femoral vein is necessary not only to ensure all proximal tributaries are identified and ligated but also as a safety mechanism in preventing avulsion trauma of direct common femoral vein tributaries.

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 792-798
Author(s):  
Dominic Mühlberger ◽  
Achim Mumme ◽  
Markus Stücker ◽  
Erich Brenner ◽  
Thomas Hummel

Objectives Recurrent varicose veins after surgery are a frequent burden and the saphenofemoral junction is the most common source of reflux. Pre-existing branches of the common femoral vein near the saphenofemoral junction, which may increase due to haemodynamic or other reasons, could play a role in the development of recurrent varices. There exist only a few anatomical data about the prevalence of these minor venous tributaries of the common femoral vein near the saphenofemoral junction. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate their frequency and distribution. Method A total of 59 veins from 35 anatomical donors were dissected. The common femoral vein with the adherent parts of the profunda femoris vein and the great saphenous vein was exposed and analysed ex situ. The number of minor tributaries to the common femoral vein was counted and their distances to the saphenofemoral junction as well their diameters were measured. Results We could identify up to 10 minor tributaries of the common femoral vein below the level of the great saphenous vein as far as 6 cm distally and up to four veins above the level as far as 5 cm proximally. The mean diameters of these vessels ranged from 0.5 to 11.7 mm. Most of these vessels were located near the saphenofemoral junction and 3 cm distally. Directly opposite to the opening of the great saphenous vein we could find at least one minor tributary of the common femoral vein in 57%. Conclusions There exist a vast number of minor tributaries of the common femoral vein and they are mainly located near the saphenofemoral junction. Nevertheless, their role in the development of recurrent varices is still unclear and further studies are necessary.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raeed Deen ◽  
Andrew Bullen

Endovenous glue ablation for lower limb varicose veins is growing in popularity due to its safety and efficacy. Of significant concern is glue-associated thrombus extension into deep veins. We present a case of thrombus extending into the common femoral vein following endovenous glue ablation for varicose veins with the VenaSealTM closure system (VCS; Medtronic). A 63-year-old man who presented with symptomatic varicose veins had incompetence of the saphenofemoral junction. He underwent endovenous glue ablation using VCS closure. At 1 month, improvement in varicosities was mirrored by duplex ultrasound confirmation of successful long saphenous vein ablation, but ultrasound indicated thrombus extending into the common femoral vein. This was managed by surveillance duplex and serial clinical observation, with spontaneous resolution at 12 months. With increasing use of VCS for varicose veins, it is likely that thrombotic complications of the deep veins will be encountered more frequently. It is time for formulation of guideline-based management of this complication.


1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 132-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Somjen ◽  
J. Donlan ◽  
J. Hurse ◽  
J. Bartholomew ◽  
A. H. Johnston ◽  
...  

Objectives: To clarify reflux patterns in the sapheno-femoral junction in legs with varicose veins that display incompetence in the proximal long saphenous vein on duplex scan examination. Patients and method: One hundred consecutive extremities were selected for ultrasound studies. Venous reflux was examined in the common femoral vein and long saphenous vein at five selected levels in the vicinity of the sapheno-femoral junction. Results: Duplex ultrasound examination confirmed that in 44 extremities reflux was detectable both in the long saphenous vein and common femoral vein indicating ‘true’ sapheno-femoral incompetence. In 56 legs reflux was limited to the long saphenous vein, whilst the first saphenous valve remained competent. The ultrasound examination suggested that in these cases the reflux originated from the numerous tributaries of the proximal long saphenous vein. Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the transfascial escape (reflux from the deep veins) is not a necessary precondition of long saphenous vein incompetence and related varicose veins.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-124
Author(s):  
F Passariello

A 31 year-old female patient, an opera singer, came for a consultation, mainly for aesthetic problems of the lower limbs. An asymptomatic bilateral P-point pelvic shunt was demonstrated by the EchoDoppler, while no nutcracker syndrome was detected. The examination demonstrated a medial circumflex femoral vein (MCFV), going into the common femoral vein and then into the great saphenous vein (GSV). The Valsalva manoeuvre showed the GSV terminal valve incompetence. A dilated MCFV vein at the level of the saphenofemoral junction was the source of the reflux through the GSV, while the external iliac vein was competent. GSV reflux with Valsalva was present only in the lying position. Flow in the MCFV was directed toward the CFV during and after the Valsalva. The examination shows clearly that a GSV reflux can sometimes occur in absence of iliac reflux. Circumflex femoral veins (medial and lateral) are anatomical variations, but common findings during ordinary EchoColourDoppler investigations of the venous system of the lower limbs.


VASA ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kahle ◽  
Hennies ◽  
Bolz ◽  
Pritsch

Background: The ratio of volume flow in the common femoral vein and artery denoted as venous-arterial Flowindex (VAFI) is significantly increased in venous insufficiency according the clinical grade of the disease. This study was done to investigate the reliability and reproducibility of VAFI as quantitative pattern. Patients and methods: In 43 patients with varicose veins C4–6 EPAS,D,PPR (PVV), 40 with postthrombotic syndrome C4–6 ESAS,D,PPR,O (PTS) and 48 healthy volunteers volume flow in the common femoral vein (VFV) and artery (VFA) were measured by duplex. Division of VFV by VFA calculated VAFI. VAFI-measurement was repeated 5 times at an interval of ten minutes in 63 subjects (23 PVV, 20 PTS, 20 healthy) and it was performed at three different days in 68 subjects (20 PVV, 20 PTS, 28 healthy). Results: Mean VAFI ± standard deviation was 1.39 ± 0.26 in PVV, 1.42 ± 0.26 in PTS and 0.93 ± 0.13 in healthy veins (p < 0.001). VAFI remained stable and significantly increased (p < 0.001) in PVV and PTS compared to healthy veins during 40 minutes and also within three different days. Conclusion: The venous-arterial flowindex VAFI is a reproducible pattern of the hemodynamic severity in venous insufficiency.


Phlebologie ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (01) ◽  
pp. 5-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Amsler ◽  
E. Mendoza

SummaryIntroduction: Since it’s description the CHIVA strategy was performed with surgical techniques. After the introduction of endoluminal heat techniques these might be applied also in the CHIVA context.Method: 104 patients were investigated before and 3–6 months after the treatment of the great saphenous vein (GSV) with CHIVA strategy using enoluminal heat techniques to close the groin segment (VNUS Closure-Fast™ or LASER [1470 nm, Intros radial]). General data (age, sex, BMI) and phlebological data (QoL as reflected in VCSS, clinics as C[CEAP], refilling time after muscle pump measured with light reflection rheography, diameters of GSV at the groin and proximal thigh, as well as diameters of the common femoral vein) were measured and compared.Results: Significant reduction of diameters of GSV at proximal thigh from 6.5 ± 1.6 to 3.7 ± 1.1 and VFC from 15.2 ± 2.3 to 14.8 ± 2.2 were recorded, as well as reduction of clinical scores (VCSS from 5.6 ± 3.1 to 2.2 ± 2 and C[CEAP] from 3.2 ± 1 to 2.1 ± 1.1). Refilling time improved from 20.3 ± 11 to 28.8 ± 10.2. Results are comparable to those achieved after surgical crossectomy and published in other series.Conclusion: The disconnection of the insufficiency point at the saphenofemoral junction seems to be possible in the context of CHIVA Strategy applying endoluminal heat technique. No difference could be found between both techniques, Laser or VNUS Closure-Fast™.


2002 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 1865-1868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tali Cukierman ◽  
Moshe E. Gatt ◽  
Dianna Libster ◽  
Neta Goldschmidt ◽  
Yaacov Matzner

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Westling ◽  
A. Boström ◽  
S. Gustavsson ◽  
S. Karacagil ◽  
D. Bergqvist

Objective: To investigate the incidence of lower limb venous insufficiency in morbidly obese patients. Patients and methods: The study group comprised 125 patients (109 women, 16 men). The median (range) age and body mass index were 35 (19–59) years and 42 (32–68) kg/m2 respectively. Eleven patients had clinical signs of varicose veins or had previously undergone varicose vein surgery. Patients were investigated with duplex ultrasound scanning on the day before surgery. Iliac, femoral, popliteal, and long and short saphenous veins in both legs were studied. Results: A total of 33 patients had abnormal reflux in the superficial veins (>0.5 s). In the deep veins 2 patients had valvular incompetence in the common femoral vein with reflux times of 2 and 0.7 s respectively. At reinvestigation 18 and 24 months after surgery the reflux times were normalised. Conclusion: In this study the incidence of deep venous incompetence in the lower limb in morbidly obese patients is low.


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