Modified technique to produce valvular incompetence in in situ saphenous vein arterial bypass

D. M. Shah and D. Buchbinder

Methods for producing valvular incompetence in the in situ vein arterial bypass have been either traumatic or tedious. We modified the technique of atraumatically incising the venous valves, rendering them incompetent. Using a specially designed long scissors, the valves are excised by introducing the scissors into the proximal end of the vein or, if necessary, one major branch. This requires minimal manipulation and exposure of the vein, almost no disturbance of the venous bed, and makes the operation less tedious.