[Percutaneous transpopliteal venography].

The authors advocate percutaneous transpopliteal venography as a new method for evaluating the function of deep venous valves of the lower extremity. At the popliteal fossa, the popliteal vein was punctured and a catheter was inserted cephaladly for venographic study of the valves. By this method, not only the ilio-femoropopliteal vein was clearly visualized, also the competence of the valves in this venous segment may accurately be tested one by one, thus making up the shortcomings of the ascending and descending venography. It was found, through this venography, that even if the highest valve of the superficial femoral vein was competent distal valves in the femoral and popliteal veins may become incompetent resulting in primary valvular incompetence of the deep veins in the lower extremity.