The great saphenous vein is used for long saphenous vein grafting in CABG. At which constant surface landmark can it be reliably identified at the ankle for surgical cut-down?

• A Posterior to the medial malleolus
• B Anterior to the lateral malleolus
• C In the midline anterior to the ankle joint
• D Anterior to the medial malleolus of the tibia ✓

Explanation

The great (long) saphenous vein begins from the medial end of the dorsal venous arch of the foot and ascends consistently anterior to the medial malleolus of the tibia before running up the medial aspect of the leg and thigh to drain into the femoral vein at the saphenofemoral junction (approximately 3.5 cm below and lateral to the pubic tubercle). Its consistent position anterior to the medial malleolus makes it the standard landmark for saphenous vein cut-down for IV access or CABG harvest. The small saphenous vein runs posterior to the lateral malleolus.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.