UNRAVELING THE ANATOMICAL COMPLEXITY: IMPLICATIONS OF GREAT SAPHENOUS VEIN VARIATIONS ON SURGICAL STRATEGIES

Abstract

Varicosities of the great saphenous vein (GSV) and its tributaries pose a common medical concern affecting up to 25% of adults. Understanding the intricate anatomical variations and their correlation with the fascia lata of the thigh is paramount for clinical management. This study conducted dissections on forty cadaveric lower limbs to scrutinize these anatomical nuances. The fascia lata of the anterior thigh was found to bifurcate into the supercial saphenous fascia and the deep fascia lata proper, forming distinct saphenous compartments. Three types of saphenous compartments were delineated: Type 1, characterized by a triangular compartment accommodating the GSV and its tributaries (30%); Type 2, featuring a fascial canal housing the GSV(30%); and Type 3, displaying a small fascial saphenous compartment with variable boundaries containing the GSVand one or two of its tributaries (40%). The study also observed the number of supercial tributaries ranging from 3 to 7 with a mean of 5.12 ± 1.95, while the GSV length ranged from 5 to 8.5 cm with a mean of 6.43 ± 1.65 cm. Furthermore, the length of tributaries in the saphenous compartment varied from 2 to 6 cm with a mean of 3.82 ± 2.74 cm. Noteworthy ndings include the intimate association of the external pudendal artery (EPA) with the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) in 30% of cases and the relationship between cutaneous branches of the femoral nerve with the GSV, its tributaries, and SFJ in 52.5% of cases. This intricate understanding of anatomical relationships is indispensable for devising precise surgical strategies to manage varicosities effectively