Sequential femoropopliteal and femorotibial bypasses. A ten-year follow-up study
J. C. Rosenfeld, R. P. Savarese, P. Friedmann and D. A. DeLaurentis
Since 1970, we have performed 33 sequential femoropopliteal bypass grafts
(of 482 femoropopliteal bypasses [7%]) and 22 sequential femorotibial
bypass grafts (of 153 femorotibial bypasses [14%]). Patients ranged in age
from 51 to 90 years. Twenty-two (66%) of the sequential femoropopliteal
bypass grafts, and all of the sequential femorotibial bypass grafts, were
for limb salvage. By life table analysis, interval patency rates for both
types of sequential procedures at 60 months, 72 months, and even longer are
good (greater than 80% for both sequential femoropopliteal and sequential
femorotibial bypasses). These two sequential bypasses are effective
alternatives when the saphenous vein is inadequate. We assume that these
results are due to excellent inflow (using a prosthetic graft proximally)
and the use of a segment of autogenous saphenous vein over the knee joint.
