In vitro observations of greater saphenous vein valves during pulsatile and nonpulsatile flow and following lysis.

A significant number of saphenous vein femoral-popliteal bypass graft failures have been attributed to flow abnormalities caused by venous valves. Seventy-seven greater saphenous vein valves were observed and photographed through a 0-degree choledochoscope during pulsatile and nonpulsatile flow. No valve was seen to lie flat against the vein wall. With pulsatile flow the valves were noted to close during diastole. Stasis was noted within the valve cusps. Twenty-three valves produced photographs of sufficient quality to allow measurement of the luminal obstruction caused by the valves. This valvular obstruction represented 61% +/- 12% of the total vein lumen. Fifty venous valves were lysed by five different techniques: the microscissors, the Connolly vein stripper, the Mills valvulotome, the venotomy valvulectomy of Hall, and eversion valvulectomy. The first three methods created valvular incompetence, but flaps of valve cusps were observed to disturb flow and place potentially thrombogenic surfaces within the vein lumen. Valvulectomy, whether by venotomy or eversion, removed the valve cusps satisfactorily.