Saphena varix may be defined as an abnormal dilatation of the distal part of the Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) near its junction with femoral vein.¹

Saphena Varix is a venous anomaly affecting the upper part of great saphenous vein that mimics femoral hernia² to the wary clinician and unless he is aware of this possibility it can be disastrous if an incision is made thinking it to be femoral hernia. I present a case of Left groin swelling in a 3-year-old child present since birth that was soft, reducible on lying down and had impulse on coughing. He was operated and a large bunch of dilated veins was found at SF junction and great saphenous vein was found opening into the mass of veins inferiorly.

There are few published such cases in literature and none in paediatric age group. This is the first published case of Saphena Varix in a child stressing the importance of this differential diagnosis in evaluation of groin swellings.

Keywords: Saphena Varix, Groin swelling, Varicose veins lower limb,

1.      Marle D et al., Varicose Vein,Harmovici Ed. Vascular Surgery. Massachusetts. Blackwell Publishing 2004: 1060-1070.

2.      Edward H. Richardson., Note on Saphena Varix simulating a femoral hernia, Annals of Surgery. Apr 1918; 67(4): 471–472.

3.      MBG Bhuiyan et al. Management of Saphena Varix: A rare case in Surgical Practice, Cardiovascular journal 2009; 1(2): 229-230

4.      ST Choi et al., Saphena Varix mimicking femoral hernia.Korean Society Vascular Journal 2010 May; 26(1):61-63.

5.      Lea MS, Deshmukh N, Saphena Varix: A case report Military Medicine1990 Aug, 155(8): 368

Rajesh G Chandnani

Assistant Professor-Surgery, Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research,

Shahara Darwaza, Umarwada, Surat

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