Preoperative Saphenous Vein Mapping

Abstract

Saphenous vein mapping is an integral portion of planning an infrainguinal arterial reconstruction. Only 60% of the greater saphenous veins are one continuous tube from the ankle to the groin. There are significant variances possible that should be known preoperatively in order to minimize incisional complications and allow the surgeon to perform the optimal arterial reconstruction in regard to technique and time. Additionally, the utmost amount of information can be gleaned from the quality of the saphenous vein, and in the era of endovascular treatment, this may be a factor in influencing the type of intervention or reconstruction that the surgeon attempts first. The surgeon and patient outcomes will benefit from the greatest amount of information not only about the anatomic location for inflow and outflow but also most importantly for the adequacy and availability of autogenous venous conduit.