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. 2018 Apr-Jun;17(2):104-108.
doi: 10.1590/1677-5449.009117.

Location and hemodynamic role of perforating veins independent of saphenous veins

Carlos Alberto Engelhorn  1 , Jheneffer Kely Soares Escorsin  1 , Karen Christine Oliveira Costa  1 , Larissa Miyashiro  1 , Melissa de Morais Silvério  1 , Raquel Cristine Gomes da Costa  1
Affiliations

Location and hemodynamic role of perforating veins independent of saphenous veins

Carlos Alberto Engelhorn et al. J Vasc Bras. 2018 Apr-Jun.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Background: The perforating veins of the lower limbs (LL) have valves that enable the blood flow to be directed from the superficial vein system to the deep vein system and they may or may not be connected to the saphenous vein system.

Objectives: To use vascular ultrasonography (VUS) to identify the frequency, location, caliber, and hemodynamic role of perforating veins that do not connect to saphenous veins, during preoperative mapping of LL varicose veins.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using VUS in women to study the frequency, location, distance from the sole of the foot, and hemodynamic role of perforating veins.

Results: The frequencies of perforating veins independent of the saphenous veins were 92.6%, 5.1%, and 2.3%, in the leg, thigh, and knee, respectively, and 25.2% of them were incompetent while 72.3% were drainage veins. The mean diameters of perforating veins were 2.9 mm, 3.5 mm, and 3.7 mm, in the leg, thigh, and knee, respectively. Perforating veins were located at mean distances of 23.8 cm, 43.6 cm, and 59.4 cm above the sole of the foot in the leg, knee, and thigh, respectively. Perforating veins with reflux had a mean caliber of 3.5 mm, irrespective of location.

Conclusions: Perforating veins independent of the saphenous veins are most frequent in the leg, draining reflux from tributary veins. Irrespective of location, perforating veins with reflux had mean caliber of 3.5 mm.

Contexto: As veias perfurantes dos membros inferiores (MMII) apresentam válvulas que permitem o direcionamento do fluxo sanguíneo do sistema venoso superficial para o profundo e podem estar conectadas ou não ao sistema das veias safenas.

Objetivo: Identificar, pela ultrassonografia vascular (USV), a frequência, localização, calibre e o papel hemodinâmico das veias perfurantes independentes das veias safenas no mapeamento pré-operatório das varizes dos MMII.

Métodos: Foi realizado estudo transversal utilizando a USV em mulheres com o intuito de estudar a frequência, a localização, a altura em relação à base do pé e o papel hemodinâmico das veias perfurantes.

Resultados: A frequência de veias perfurantes independentes das veias safenas foi de 92,6%, 5,1% e 2,3%, na perna, coxa e joelho, respectivamente, sendo 25,2% incompetentes e 72,3% de drenagem. O diâmetro médio das veias perfurantes foi de 2,9 mm, 3,5 mm e 3,7 mm, na perna, coxa e joelho, respectivamente. As veias perfurantes localizaram-se em média 23,8 cm, 43,6 cm e 59,4 cm acima da base do pé na perna, joelho e coxa, respectivamente. As veias perfurantes com refluxo apresentaram calibre médio de 3,5 mm, independentemente da localização.

Conclusões: As veias perfurantes independentes das veias safenas são mais frequentes na perna, drenando refluxo de veias tributárias. Independentemente da localização, as veias perfurantes com refluxo apresentam calibre médio de 3,5 mm.

Keywords: perforating veins; ultrasonography; women.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: No conflicts of interest declared concerning the publication of this article.

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