STRIPPING OF GIACOMINI VEIN - A PATHOPHYS IOLOGICAL NECESSITY OR A SURGICAL PLAYGROUND

The Giacomini vein is present in 2.5%-10% of all patients having a phl ebography because of varicosis. In a patient analysis of the last 5 ye ars 129 patients were detected with a Giacomini vein (2.5%) out of a t otal of 5132 patients with varicosis. This vein was found in a signifi cantly higher number of patients with a combined insufficiency of the long and short saphenous vein (p = 0.0001). An analysis of the differe nt insufficiency patterns showed a Giacomini vein in 80% of insufficie ncy of grade I of the long and short saphenous vein. Likewise, this ve in could be detected in more than half of the cases with complete insu fficiency of both venous trunks (51%) as well as in 55% of the patient s with a short saphenous vein insufficiency of grade III and an incomp lete insufficiency of the long saphenous vein. On the other hand, ther e was no connection between insufficiency of the long saphenous vein, incomplete insufficiency of the short saphenous vein and the presence of the Giacomini vein. From these results we draw the conclusion that the Giacomini vein is a pathophysiologic connection between the two pr oviding areas and thus transfers the insufficiency from one vascular s ystem to the other. It hereby enhances the combined varicosis of both trunks as well as the formation of relapses. Therefore the Giacomini v ein should always be stripped or removed by exeresis.