[Clinical anatomy of deep femoral vessels in the area of femoral triangle]

Study of variations in the anatomy of the deep femoral vein using indirect CT phlebography

Aim of the study was to evaluate the features of the anatomy of the deep vein of the femur according to CT-phlebography data. Material and methods. The data of CT-phlebography of 100 limbs of 50 patients (27 women, 23 men, mean age 39 years, age range 28–46 years) obtained in 2021–2023 were used as the basis of the work. The study was performed according to the original technique (patent of the Russian Federation N 2799023) on a 128-slice multispiral computed tomography scanner, with slice thickness of 0.5 mm, intravenous injection of contrast agent. The diameter of the femoral deep vein at different levels, the presence of additional trunks and its anastomoses with other segments of deep and superficial veins were evaluated. Results. True doubling of the femoral deep vein occurs with a frequency of 6 %, anastomoses of the femoral deep vein with the femoral-pubic segment of deep veins in 62 % cases. Variant anatomy with direct transition of the femoral or popliteal vein into the femoral deep vein occurs in 13 % of observations. Conclusions. The data on variant anatomy of the deep vein and its tributaries may be of practical importance when it is necessary to diagnose or choose the technique of surgical intervention in patients with venous diseases of the lower extremities.

Ultrasonographic Appearance of the Lower Extremity Arteries After Femoropopliteal Bypass Surgery

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the ultrasonographic appearance of the lower extremity arteries, after a femoropopliteal bypass surgery.

Materials and Methods:

Ninety patients, with atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease, underwent either autologous vein (30 subjects) or synthetic femoropopliteal bypass grafting, using an end-to-side (30 subjects) or end-to-end anastomotic technique. The outcomes were compared to 30 volunteers, who were recruited to serve as healthy controls. A lower extremity duplex ultrasonogram (DUS) was performed 1 year after treatment. The healthy volunteers underwent DUS at the point of being included in the study.

Results:

In healthy volunteers, the angle between the profunda femoris artery (deep femoral artery, PFA) and common femoral artery (CFA) did not exceed 30° of angulation. The diameter of the CFA, in the bifurcation area, was 9.8 ± 1.5 mm. The bypass patency rates, CFA diameter, PFA angle, and neointimal hyperplasia rates differed between the groups as presented.

Conclusion:

The results that were obtained may indicate the importance of bypass graft surveillance, using DUS, with precise analysis of the topography and geometry of the lower extremity arteries and vascular conduits, during the perioperative period. In addition, in this cohort, femoropopliteal bypass procedures were associated with an increase in the angle of the PFA from 30° to 80° of angulation. An increase in the diameter of the CFA in the area of the proximal anastomosis from 9.8 to 15.1 mm was also noted. In these patients, the saphenous vein bypasses were associated with minimal changes of the vascular geometry and better patency rates.

Two Rare Anatomical Variants of Femoral Triangle Vessels in One Patient: Case Report

INTRODUCTION: The upper third of thigh the area of the femoral triangle, or Scarpas triangle, is of great importance both in anatomy and vascular surgery. It is the place of passage of the main vessels of the lower extremities: the femoral artery, femoral vein and their largest tributaries which are easily accessible in this region due to their superficial location. To note, in the vascular surgery, the femoral vessels are divided to common and superficial ones depending on the level of their location relative to deep femoral vessels. This division is extremely important in the functional aspect, since deep femoral vessels may significantly compensate for the blood flow in case of impaired patency of the superficial femoral vessels. Besides, an important tributary of the common femoral vein is the great saphenous vein forming saphenofemoral junction. Classic anatomy describes vessels of the upper third of thigh as single trunks with permanent topography. At the same time, in the literature there are commonly encountered reports of duplication of the superficial femoral vein, two trunks of the deep femoral artery, and relatively rare reports of atypical saphenofemoral junctions (about 0.02%). The work describes anatomical variants of the FT vessels in one patient: atypical saphenofemoral junction on the right and duplication of the common femoral vein on the left, two trunks of the deep femoral artery on both sides. CONCLUSION: The anatomical variants of FT vessels described in the article, are rare. It is important that clinicians know about them to avoid errors in diagnosis or surgical treatment.