Intersaphenous veins of the leg: An ultrasonographic study in young population

Abstract

Introduction

The communicating veins between the great and small saphenous veins, called intersaphenous veins, are often overlooked structures, except for the femoral intersaphenous vein (of Giacomini). The reason for tendency to neglect the crural intersaphenous veins can be their alleged high variability. The aim of the study was to bring reliable anatomical and morphometric data about the crural intersaphenous veins for their potential clinical usage as grafts.

Material and Methods

In this ultrasonographic study performed on a young population, we screened 246 lower extremities. The incidence of the femoral intersaphenous vein was 51.2 % (126/246) and the incidence of at least one crural intersaphenous vein was 97.1 % (239/246). Two crural intersaphenous veins were observed in 46.7 % (115/246).

Results

The femoral intersaphenous vein was located exclusively on the thigh, with its average length of 26.35 cm and average calibre of 2.4 mm. The typical area where to find a crural intersaphenous vein is the middle medial part of the calf. Their course can be straight transverse, oblique or they can rarely make a plexus. The majority of intersaphenous veins of the leg do not possess valves, if so, those are parietal valves present in 10.3 % (39/379). An average length of 13.7 cm and an average calibre of 2.13 mm of intersaphenous veins of the leg are appropriate enough for their usage as a venous graft or in reconstruction surgery.

Conclusion

The intersaphenous veins of the leg are not as variable as presented in previous studies. Their anatomical and topographical characteristics are fairly constant. According to their anatomical characteristics, crural intersaphenous veins could be surgically used as a suitable variant to the great saphenous vein, small saphenous vein and femoral intersaphenous vein.