Axillary Vein Valve Transplantation in Patients with Advanced Chronic Venous Insufficiency: Long-Term Valvular Competence and Clinical Success

Abstract

Axillary vein valve transfer is a useful technique of valve reconstruction. It is the mainstay for reconstructing postthrombotic vein segments in which valve structures have been destroyed beyond repair. The technique may appear deceptively simple, but in fact it requires meticulous execution to be successful. Clinical results using the technique are similar to those obtained with direct valve repair techniques. The results of axillary vein transfer in postthrombotic syndrome are similar to those obtained in "primary" reflux with actuarial recurrence-free survival of >60% at 6 years. Deterioration in function as demonstrated by duplex competence is the main cause of clinical recurrence. Most of these failures occurred during the first 3 years after surgery, with the survival curves remaining stable thereafter.