Abstract
Thirty patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for occlusive arterial dis ease were studied pre-operatively by saphenous venography to determine the suitability, or otherwise, of the long saphenous vein as an arterial graft. Venog raphy gave a representation of vein calibre which accurately predicted the actual vein diameter, measured at operation. In 44 paired readings — i.e. diameters measured at comparable levels on vein and venogram — the mean venographic diameter was 4.46mm, and the mean diameter of the vein, measured at opera tion, was 4.43mm. There was no significant difference between the two means. In addition, venography identified occlusion of the saphenous vein and also demon strated unfavorable anatomic patterns.
In several cases venography was less than satisfactory, though still useful. There were no complications.
The authors believe that this technic, in their hands, has been valuable in identifying, pre-operatively, veins suitable for use as arterial grafts.
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