The arch of the great saphenous vein: anatomical bases for failures and recurrences after surgical treatment of varices in the pelvic limb. About 54 dissections

The arch of the great saphenous vein presents numerous tributaries. Misappreciation of their anatomical variations might cause recurrence after surgical treatment of varices. We dissected 54 inguino-femoral regions of fresh, black African corpses. Our purpose was to study the anatomical variations in the vein confluents of the arch of the great saphenous vein; its positions in relation to the external pudendal artery; establish palpable anatomical markers for its surgical approach. The conventional type in a ‘vein star’ shape was not the most frequent. Upper or abdominal common vein produced through the merging of superficial veins of the anterior abdominal wall and genital or internal common vein were more frequent. An anterior saphenous vein was found in 23 cases. The external pudendal artery crossed beneath the arch of the great saphenous vein cross in 56% of cases and previously in 44% of cases. On average, the top of the arch of the great saphenous vein was projected out 10.88 cm from the ventral and cranial iliac spine, 3.83 cm from the pubic tubercle and 4.19 cm from the inguinal ligament. In view of our results, variations are real. Knowing and taking them into account are essential to prevent recurrences after surgical treatment of varices of the pelvic limb.