title: Ultrasonic characterization of the saphenous vein.
abstract: The most frequently used conduit for infrainguinal or coronary artery bypass is the saphenous vein, and this report describes the ultrasonic evaluation of anatomic variations in over 1400 limbs. The thigh portion of the greater saphenous vein consisted of a single venous conduit in 67% of the limbs, a complete double system in 8%, a branching double system in 18% and a closed loop double system in 7%. In 92% of the cases, the vein was in medial position, with the remaining 8% positioned laterally. In the calf, a single vein was observed in 65% of the limbs with the remainder demonstrating a double venous system. The vein was positioned anteriorly in 85% of the limbs. The remaining 15% were positioned posteriorly, with 7% of these being a single dominant vein. Proper knowledge of saphenous vein anatomy is vital to the surgeon preparing to use this vein as a bypass conduit and can aid in its preoperative assessment.
authors.affiliation: Karmody Vascular Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Albany Medical College, New York 12208.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kupinski
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Zorn
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Darling
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Leather
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000637:transplantation*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000502:physiology*