Related Experiment Videos
Reconstruction of an iliac vein: a case report and discussion
A case report of a girl with anomalous venous drainage of a lower extremity who had a successful venous transplant is presented, along with a review of some factors thought to be important in venous grafting. In our patient there are several factors that may have contributed to long-term patency. As demonstrated by venogram, there was no alternative or competing pathway for blood to drain from the leg. This would imply a high venous pressure driving blood through the graft. Autogenous vein was used. Local heparin may have been a contributing factor as well. Although growth of anastomosed arteries has been demonstrated, this is the first time growth of a venous transplant has been demonstrated in a human. This growth was in length as well as in diameter. We believe this experience lends encouragement to the use of venous transplant surgery, which may become more common.
A case report of a girl with anomalous venous drainage of a lower extremity who had a successful venous transplant is presented, along with a review of some factors thought to be important in venous grafting. In our patient there are several factors that may have contributed to long-term patency. As demonstrated by venogram, there was no alternative or competing pathway for blood to drain from the leg. This would imply a high venous pressure driving blood through the graft. Autogenous vein was used. Local heparin may have been a contributing factor as well. Although growth of anastomosed arteries has been demonstrated, this is the first time growth of a venous transplant has been demonstrated in a human. This growth was in length as well as in diameter. We believe this experience lends encouragement to the use of venous transplant surgery, which may become more common.