The lesser saphenous vein: autogenous tissue for lower extremity revascularization

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Biomaterials in Surgery

Background:

• The greater saphenous vein (GSV) is the preferred autogenous vein graft for lower extremity arterial revascularization.
• Alternative graft materials are necessary when the GSV is inadequate or unavailable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and patency rates of the lesser saphenous vein (LSV) as an alternative autogenous venous graft for lower extremity arterial procedures.
• To compare the outcomes of LSV used alone, in composite with other autogenous veins (LSV/AUTO), and in composite with synthetic materials (LSV/SYN).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 56 lower extremity arterial procedures performed between December 1980 and December 1985.
• Lesser saphenous vein (LSV) was utilized as the primary graft material due to unavailability of a suitable greater saphenous vein (GSV).
• Graft patency was assessed using life-table analysis for different graft configurations: LSV alone, LSV/AUTO, and LSV/SYN.

Main Results:

• The 3-year patency rate for LSV grafts used alone was 60%.
• The 3-year patency rate for LSV/AUTO composite grafts was 38%.
• The 18-month patency rate for LSV/SYN composite grafts was 21%.

Conclusions:

• The lesser saphenous vein (LSV) demonstrates potential as a functional autogenous venous graft for lower extremity revascularization.
• LSV is a viable option when a satisfactory greater saphenous vein (GSV) is not available for arterial bypass procedures.
• Graft configuration impacts long-term patency, with LSV alone showing the most favorable results in this series.