Anatomy of the basilic vein in the arm and its importance for surgery

ABSTRACT

The anatomy of the basilic vein in the arm is described. Twenty-six arms from 13 cadavers were studied. A comparative analysis, which included the number of valves and measurement of the diameter of the basilic vein at three different points in the arm, was done. The basilic vein was always presente and single. In its superficial segment, this vein was joined by the intermediate cubital vein in 69.8 por cento (19/26) of the cases, by the intermediate basilic vein in 23.1 por cento (6/26)and by the intermediate vein of the forearm in 3.8 por cento (1/26). The basilic vein perforated the brachial fascia in the lower or mid third of the arm. The deep segment of the vein ran alone up to the inferior border of the m.teres major in 23.1 por cento (6/26) of the cases, and joined the medial brachial vein in 53.8 por cento (14/26),on the brachial vein in 23.1 por cento (6/26) before forming the axillary vein. the valves were predominantly bicuspid (89.3) por cento and were equally distributed between superficial (48.5) por centoand deep(51.5) por cento segments the basilic vein. These findings indicate that the basilic vein of the arm is anatomically compatible for use in arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis. The superficial segment of this vein may also be used in general, vascular and endovascular surgery to introduce a catheter above the cubitus.