Page 53 - Virtual Vascular Vol 8
P. 53
Sapheno-popliteal ligation The saphenopopliteal junction is marked with a cross, and the short saphenous
vein is marked with dotted line, so as to decide on the level of skin incision.
POSTERIOR
SSV
SPJ
POP V
The short (or small) saphenous vein (SSV) starts in the lateral aspect of the foot,
inferior and posterior to the lateral malleolus, and runs along the posterior aspect of
the leg, where it passes between the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle and drains
into the popliteal vein (so called saphenopopliteal junction (SPJ)), at a variable level
behind the knee joint. It is always preferable to mark the short saphenous vein and
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the saphenopopliteal junction using a ultrasound pre-operatively.
