Deniz, SinanTureli, DeryaAkpinar, BurcuOguzkurt, Levent2023-05-242023-05-2420180268-3555http://hdl.handle.net/11727/9142Purpose To elaborate on a planar anatomic variant of great saphenous vein as a potential therapeutic pitfall in the treatment of venous reflux. Materials and methods Lower extremity veins in 568 limbs with great saphenous vein insufficiency were sonographically mapped. A rather overlooked variation, the saphenous bow, was studied with emphasis on anatomic clarification and its involvement in venous insufficiency. Results This variation, observed in 5.1% (n=29) of limbs, comprised two segments; one uninterrupted great saphenous vein proper coursing throughout saphenous compartment and one extra-compartmental segment originating distally from and proximally fusing with it. Venous arch remains within compartment only briefly during take-off and re-entry. Extra-compartmental venous arch had reflux either alone (10.3%) or together with intra-compartmental segment (75.9%). Conclusion This variation, part of saphenous segmental aplasia/hypoplasia complex, is associated with venous insufficiency. Meticulous mapping of great saphenous vein territory and identification of such variants during planning stage is indispensable for optimal clinical outcomes of treatment.enginfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessGreat saphenous veinsaphenous compartmentultrasonographyvariationArticle3374704740004396056000052-s2.0-85041647493