The "T" vein of the leg.
BACKGROUND
We frequently observe a tributary of the saphenous vein with the origin in the saphenous compartment of the medial aspect of the upper third of the leg. It runs transversally in the interfascial compartment toward the lateral aspect of the leg. Constantly it feeds by reflux varicose veins clinically visible in the paratibial region and/or in the lateral aspect of the leg. For the peculiarity of its anatomical shape as well as duplex appearance, we defined it as the "T" vein.


OBJECTIVE
To assess how frequently the "T" vein of the leg is involved in varicose networks.


METHODS
A total of 218 consecutive patients affected by primary varicose veins have been evaluated by the means of duplex scanning. We assessed both the presence of the above-mentioned tributary and the frequency of its hemodynamic involvement in the varicose network.


RESULTS
In 15 of 218 cases (7%) we demonstrated the above-mentioned tributary with an interfascial length ranging between 5 and 12 cm involved in varicose networks.


CONCLUSIONS
The anterior tributary of the saphenous vein of the anterolateral aspect of the leg is a neglected clinical entity, whose existence is important to know for the treatment of varicose veins of the lateral aspect of the leg.
Zamboni
P
P
Department of Surgery, University of Ferrara-Day Surgery Unit, Master in Compression Therapy and Wound Healing, St. Anna Hospital, Ferrara, Italy. zmp@unife.it
De Palma
M
M
Carandina
S
S
Fogato
L
L
Fortini
P
P
Legnaro
A
A
Mazza
P
P
Ricci
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery