HAS THE CRANIAL EXTENSION OF THE SMALL SAPHENOUS VEIN GOT SIMILAR PARAMETERS IN YOUNG HEALTHY POPULATION AS IN ELDERLY POLYMORBID POPULATION? IS IT A SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR VENOUS GRAFTS?

Has the cranial extension of the small saphenous vein got similar parameters in young healthy population as in elderly polymorbid population? Is it a suitable alternative for venous grafts?

Michaela Veselá, Karel Brabec, Gabriela Dostálová, Aleš Linhart, David Kachlík

The cranial extension of the small saphenous vein (CESSV) is a proximal continuation of the small saphenous vein exteding from the saphenopopliteal junction onto to the posterior aspect of the thigh. The CESSV occurs in in 6 out 7 types of the saphenopopliteal junction arragement. Hence due to its high prevalence and topographical relationships within the popliteal fossa, we could consider it an alternative source of venous graft for surgeries in this region. As the population is getting older, the typical venous grafts as a great and small saphenous veins can feature an inadequate morphology due to the chronic venous insufficiency or had been used for previous surgeries and thus we assume a further need of new venous grafts in the future.

In ultrasonographic study we screened the saphenopopliteal junction in young healthy population in 244 cases be linear sonde in B mode. The ECVSP was detected in 210 cases (86%), the average length was 18.72 cm. In polymorbid elderly population we detected ECVSP in 83% (25/30). The average length was 20.3 cm and average calibre was 2.62 mm.

If the average length of venous bypass is generally required to between 10 cm and 20 cm, the ECVSP could be a suitable variant in young population as well as in elderly. The difference between length of ECVSP in young and in elderly population is according to the required length insignificant. The most suitable usage of ECVPS as a venous graft can be as a femoropoliteal bypass, typically used for treatment of aneurysm of the popliteal artery.