The anatomical relationship between the saphenous nerve and the great saphenous vein.

OBJECTIVE: Damage to the saphenous nerve (SN) has been a known complication during varicose vein surgeries. We tested whether a better knowledge of the anatomy of the SN and the great saphenous vein (GSV) can prevent such damage.

METHODS: We conducted a morphological and histological examination on 86 limbs from 43 cadavers in order to analyse the anatomical interrelation between the SN and the GSV in the lower leg and we also measured the distance between the nerve and the vein in a sample of 42 sections from three parts of the lower leg.

RESULTS: The anatomical relationship between the SN and the GSV is varied and the two structures run close to each other so a better knowledge of their anatomy in itself proved insufficient in preventing damage to the SN.

CONCLUSION: However, in the case of endovenous laser therapy and radiofrequency ablation tumescent anaesthesia decreases the risk of damage to the SN.