[Valvuloplasty and fixation of the femoral vein for valvular incompetence of deep veins of the lower extremity].

Fifty cases (54 limbs) of valvuloplasty and fixation of the incompetent valve of the femoral vein were reported. Diagnosis was made by clinical features, measurement of ambulatory venous pressure, ascending and descending phlebography, and by intraoperative checking the blood flow. After repairing the highest primary valve of the superficial femoral vein a circular suture around the vein at 2 mm under the repaired valve was made to prevent the recurrence of valvular incompetence. Patients were followed-up for 6 to 45 months (mean 20.2 months) with satisfactory results in all and excellent in 50 limbs (92.6%). The swelling subsided, stasis dermatitis and ulcer healed promptly, the "heavy leg" became light, and venous pressure of post-exercise lowered significantly (P less than 0.01). No retrograde flow of contrast medium was detected during the descending phlebography after operation. The results suggest that this operation is better than simple repair of the incompetent valve.