[The external saphenous vein, its past, its future].

1) An unknown or underestimated vein. During the 3 first quarters of the century, except some outstanding but confidential anatomical studies, the SSV has been reduced to a diagram that assimilates it to a Long but shortened SV Surgeons contented with this representation, often to their cost. Moreover the SSV has not retained the clinician's attention due to ignorance or diagnostic negligence. 2) A feared or disliked vein. Awareness appeared twenty years ago (Soc. Fr. de Phlébologie 1972-1973, etc.). The stress was put on the prevalence of the pathology of the short Saphenous vein, on the shortage of the therapeutics: unforeseen events, casualties and failures. 3) An investigation. New methods of vascular investigation are asserting themselves. The non-invasive ones are more open to everyone although less accurate than phlebography. They contribute towards a larger field of exploration of the SS network and create infatuation for the vein. False varices of SSV are detected, perforating and anastomotic veins are taken into account. 4) A spokesman of deep venous circulation? The SSV pathology is closely linked with the functioning of the femoropopliteal trunk and also with the gastrocnemial and solear muscular veins. The study of deep and superficial interferences initiates into a new pathology, that of the muscular veins.