title: "Hitch-hike" grafts for limb salvage in peripheral arterial disease.
abstract: A technique of arterial reconstruction suitable for patients with extensive arterial occlusions and for previous failed arterial surgery is described. The "hitch-hike" graft consists of a proximal limb of 6-mm velour Dacron prosthesis and a distal limb of autogenous vein. The intermediate prosthesis-to-vein anastomosis is made into an endarterectomized segment of upper popliteal artery. The results in the first 16 limbs are described. Eleven grafts are functioning from 2 to 14 months after operation and 5 of these have functioned for more than 1 year. The advantages of the technique are: long arterial occlusions may be bridged; autogenous vein is used to cross the knee joint; good measured blood flows may be demonstrated at operation; acceptable patency rates may be obtained up to 1 year.
mesh_terms: D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous