The Giacomini vein as an autologous conduit in infrainguinal arterial reconstruction.

Abstract

The standard conduit in infrainguinal arterial bypass grafting, the great saphenous vein, is often unavailable. Arm and small saphenous veins are used as alternative conduits; yet both are deficient in length to accommodate femorocrural bypasses as a single conduit. In light of its high prevalence, the Giacomini vein harvested in continuity with the small saphenous vein may offer the latter extra length, promoting their combination into a single conduit able to meet the needs of infrainguinal reconstruction, particularly in lengthy infrainguinal bypass grafting. The Giacomini vein merits consideration when arterial reconstruction is performed in proximity to its anatomic course.