Preoperative Determination of Anatomic Variations of the Small Saphenous Vein for Varicose Vein Surgery by Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Venography

Objective: To define the anatomical variations of small saphenous vein (SSV) for varicose vein (VV) surgery by three-dimensional computed tomography venography (3D-CTV) and to analyse the impact of this preoperative evaluation on surgical outcomes.Methods: A total of 120 consecutive limbs with SSV insufficiency having undergone VV surgery from January 2005 until December 2007 were enrolled. The medical records and images were analysed retrospectively.Results: The relationship between SSV and gastrocnemial vein (GNV) were categorized into two: (a) SSV and GNV drained to popliteal vein (PV) separately (100 limbs, 87%) and (b) SSV and GNV made common channel which drained to PV (15 limbs, 13%). Saphenopopliteal junction morphology was normal (75 limbs), severe tortuosity near PV (19 limbs), ampullary ectasia (4 limbs) and duplicated drainage to PV (2 limbs). No recurrence of VV was noted.Conclusions: CTV can provide thorough preoperative anatomic information of the SSV variations and reduce the recurrence of VV