Surgical repair of the incompetent femoral vein valve.

Incompetent femoral vein valves are identified by reflux femoral phlebography in selected patients with postphlebitic syndrome. In addition to conventional stripping of varices and subfascial interruption of communicating veins, 14 patients with 17 involved extremities have undergone surgical repair of an incompetent valve in the superficial femoral veins. Pathologic condition of the valve consisted of elongation of the cusp edge. Repair was achieved by a series of tucking sutures shortening the cusp and restoring competence to the valve. Healing of ulcers and relief of swelling occurred in 90% of the patients. This rate was maintained up to seven years. These cases demonstrate the feasibility of surgery on the femoral vein valve. The relative importance of conventional stripping, subfascial communicating vein interruption, and femoral valve repair will have to be established by way of further clinical experience.