Use of the Term Superficial Femoral Vein

Aims The term ‘superficial femoral vein’ is not recognised as a legitimate anatomic term. However, some clinicians use the term for the distal part of the femoral vein to differentiate the femoral vein segments before and after the junction with the profunda femoris vein. Usage of the term could result in a vein erroneously considered to be a superficial vein, and could lead to failure to treat a deep vein thrombosis. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of all Doppler ultrasound studies for suspected lower limb DVT was performed. All reports were identified and manually read to record the use of the term ‘superficial femoral vein’ or the abbreviation ‘SFV’.  Results The term was used in 42% of reports. These findings were presented at the hospital audit meeting where the radiologists decided to abandon use of ‘superficial femoral vein’. At re-audit six months later, 19% contained the term ‘superficial femoral vein’. All scans with references to the term had been performed and reported by new departmental trainees. A second re-audit took place between 18 months later, finding 38% of scans contained the term ‘superficial femoral vein’, all of which were reported by clinicians new to the department since the initial re-audit. Conclusions U se of the clinical audit cycle can reduce use of the term ‘superficial femoral vein’ through education. Sequential re-audits have shown that unless such information is delivered repeatedly to account for staff turnover within a radiology department, the intervention’s effect is lost.