title: Pedal reconstructions for limb salvage.
abstract: If only one pedal artery is patent the vascular surgeon has to decide between primary amputation and a bypass. Between 1980 and 1990, 460 femoro-distal bypasses were performed in our clinic and 8% (39 cases) of these received a pedal reconstruction. At discharge from the hospital 85% of these grafts were patent. The primary goal of treatment, to maintain life and salvage the limb on the basis of a functioning bypass, was obtained in 82% of patients. After 1 year the secondary patency of our pedal reconstructions was 68%. Taking the mortality of amputations into account, vascular surgery to the foot arteries is preferable to amputation, whenever possible.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Universitätsklinik Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Paetz
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maeder
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meybier
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Allenberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation