Comparison of Saphenous Veins Removed for Primary Venous Insufficiency with Cadaver Saphenous Veins

The purpose of this study was to determine the location of valves and to assess valve abnormalities in veins removed for treatment of primary venous insufficiency and cadaver saphenous veins. Twenty-nine saphenous veins from lower extremities of adult cadavers and 39 greater saphenous veins obtained from patients undergoing surgery for primary venous insufficiency were examined. Extremities were chosen from cadavers with no signs of chronic venous insufficiency. All greater saphenous veins from patients were demonstrated to have reflux throughout the length of the greater saphenous vein from ankle to groin. The total number of valves in surgically removed saphenous veins and those in cadavers was similar—cadaver 8.82 ± 1.31, varicose 8.79 ± 1.67. Varicose saphenous veins had more abnormal valves (2.56 ±1.23 vs 1.51 ±1.18) and the cadaver saphenous veins had more well-preserved valves above the knee (4.45 ±1.27 vs 3.00 ±1.41). Varicose saphenous veins demonstrate fewer valves in total and more damaged veins in the above-knee segment than a comparable group of cadaver saphenous veins. The cadaver saphenous veins and varicose saphenous veins below the knee are similar with regard to total number of valves and total number of damaged valves.