Technique of in situ saphenous vein arterial bypass: can the valves help to locate the major venous tributaries?

Ten cadaveric great saphenous vein systems have been dissected to assess the relationship between the valves and the termination of venous tributaries. Such tributaries were classified on the basis of size, competence and course, and the percentage of each of four classes terminating within 1 cm of each valve site has been assessed. Above the knee, valves were more numerous, closer together, and two-thirds of competent tributaries terminated within 1 cm of them, this relationship being weaker for other classes of tributary. Below the knee, less than 50% of any class of tributary was related to valves. Reference to the position of valves is not recommended as the sole method of locating potential arteriovenous fistulae.