The femoropopliteal vein. Ultrasound anatomy, diagnosis, and office surgery.

BACKGROUND

The femoropopliteal vein (FPV) is evidenced by several anatomic and phlebographic studies, but its pathology and treatment are not sufficiently described in clinical and surgical textbooks.

OBJECTIVE

To raise awareness of the existence of the FPV and describe its anatomy, involvement in varicose vein disease, diagnosis, and treatment.

METHODS

Literature review and description of 12 illustrative cases diagnosed by duplex ultrasound. In six patients the FPV was avulsed by ambulatory phlebectomy.

RESULTS

Duplex scan allows easy diagnosis and precise marking of the incompetent FPV and permits its avulsion by stab incision phlebectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

The FPV is a specific anatomic vein with standard relations to other anatomic structures and may become involved in varicose vein disease. FPV incompetence escapes clinical diagnosis but is easily detected by duplex ultrasound. The incompetent FPV can be avulsed by ambulatory phlebectomy (Muller technique) in an office setting under local infiltration anesthesia.