We implanted cryopreserved allograft monocusp patches made from cadaveric pulmonary arteries to correct nonthrombotic valvular insufficiency of the common femoral vein in patients with chronic venous ulcers. Thirty-eight patients with 40 ulcers of longer than 3 years' duration underwent valvular repair of the common femoral vein from September 1995 through November 2001. We studied ulcer healing and competence of the monocusp patches using duplex ultrasonography.

Three patients with a total of 4 ulcers were lost to follow-up; therefore, 35 patients with 36 ulcers were available for examination. Twenty-four ulcers healed, and 12 did not. Of the 24 healed ulcers, 5 recurred. Four of the 5 ulcers were treated, 3 by monocusp patch replacement and 1 by iliac vein dilation and stenting. All such recurrent ulcers healed. The 5th recurrent ulcer was not treated, because the patient refused therapy. Therefore, of the 24 ulcers that healed initially, 23 were healed at the end of the study.

Of the 12 unhealed ulcers, 4 were treated: 2 by ligation of incompetent perforating veins, 1 by saphenous vein ligation and partial stripping, and 1 by monocusp replacement. All 4 ulcers healed. The other 8 patients, all of whom had severe monocusp insufficiency, refused therapy. Therefore, of the 12 ulcers that did not heal initially, 4 were healed after additional treatment.

No implanted monocusp patch developed clots. The ulcers remained healed when the prostheses remained competent.

We conclude that monocusp patches can restore valvular competence to the femoral vein in patients who have primary valve insufficiency. In such patients, venous ulcers heal rapidly after prosthesis implantation if the monocusp remains competent and if there is no severe incompetence of the superficial venous system or of perforating veins. (Tex Heart Inst J 2002;29:92–9)