The femoropopliteal vein. Ultrasound anatomy, diagnosis, and office surgery.
BACKGROUND
The femoropopliteal vein (FPV) is evidenced by several anatomic and phlebographic studies, but its pathology and treatment are not sufficiently described in clinical and surgical textbooks.


OBJECTIVE
To raise awareness of the existence of the FPV and describe its anatomy, involvement in varicose vein disease, diagnosis, and treatment.


METHODS
Literature review and description of 12 illustrative cases diagnosed by duplex ultrasound. In six patients the FPV was avulsed by ambulatory phlebectomy.


RESULTS
Duplex scan allows easy diagnosis and precise marking of the incompetent FPV and permits its avulsion by stab incision phlebectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
The FPV is a specific anatomic vein with standard relations to other anatomic structures and may become involved in varicose vein disease. FPV incompetence escapes clinical diagnosis but is easily detected by duplex ultrasound. The incompetent FPV can be avulsed by ambulatory phlebectomy (Muller technique) in an office setting under local infiltration anesthesia.
Georgiev
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery