Using a saphenous vein branch for a patch.
The majority of vascular surgeons find that the autologous saphenous vein is the conduit of choice for femoropopliteal and femorotibial bypasses. The branches of the saphenous vein are eventually ligated but can serve several useful purposes, such as completing an angiogram, passing a valvulotome, or widening the anastomosis. Another use for the branches consists of using the branch as a patch when the vein needs to be reopened, i.e., for thrombectomy, during the postoperative period. This is done by making a venotomy adjacent to a branch. The surgical technique, as practiced by us, is described and illustrated by a schematic diagram.
Deshmukh
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N
Department of Vascular Surgery, Guthrie Clinic Limited, Sayre, Pennsylvania 18840.
Rizk
T
T
D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000601:surgery