OBJECTIVETo summarize clinical application experience of treatment of occluded iliofemoral veins with great saphenous vein cross-over bypasses.

METHODSFrom September 1998 to December 2005,6 patients(5 men, 1 woman) with occluded iliofemoral veins underwent great saphenous vein cross-over bypasses. They ranged in age from 36 to 52 years (mean, 41 years old). All patients had unilateral thigh and leg edema and swelling with accompanying pain. The normal contralateral great saphenous vein was dissected and it was tunneled across the super-pubic fat pad and anastomosed to the femoral vein or the proximal portion of great saphenous vein in distal to occluded iliofemoral veins.

RESULTSThe postoperative course was uneventful. One case sustained superficial infection postoperatively at donor site and the gradual wound healed by daily wound dressings. At 1 to 3.5 years (mean 1.8 years) followed up, all patients had pain disappearance and obvious relief of the edema but some swelling.

CONCLUSIONGreat saphenous vein cross-over bypasses is effective operative method of treatment of occluded iliofemoral veins. The operation is relatively simple and safe.