Distribution of Valves in the Great Saphenous Vein; Its Clinical Implications

The number and distribution of valves were examined in 26 great saphenous veins. The number of valves per vein ranged from 3 to 11 with an average of 6.7. The valves tended to be concentrated in two segments; one within 10cm from the sapheno-femoral junction, and the other between 35 cm and 45 cm from the sapheno-femoral junction. More than 55% of the valves were located in these two segments. This fact should be taken into account when obtaining vein segments in graft operations.