Peroperative Venography in Sapheno-Popliteal Ligation: Still a Useful Technique

Abstract

Objective:

To establish the efficacy of peroperative venography in identifying the use of the sapheno-popliteal junction during varicose vein surgery.

Design:

Single patient group.

Setting:

District General Hospital, Edgware, Middlesex, UK.

Patients:

Forty-one patients undergoing sapheno-popliteal ligation for varicose veins of the lower limb.

Interventions:

Surgical exploration and ligation of the sapheno-popliteal junction.

Main outcome measures:

Peroperative venographic demonstration of the short saphenous vein and sapheno-popliteal junction.

Results:

Thirty-four sapheno-popliteal junctions (85%) lay at a site approachable by a conventional incision. Five junctions lay higher than this and one lower.

Conclusions:

On-table venography is an efficient, quick and reliable way of demonstrating the anatomical site of the sapheno-popliteal junction.