title: Above-knee prosthetic grafts do not compromise the ipsilateral long saphenous vein.
abstract: Prosthetic graft materials are used preferentially by a number of surgeons for above-knee femoropopliteal bypasses. Using B-mode ultrasonography we have assessed the ipsilateral long saphenous vein in patients undergoing such bypasses to determine its suitability for future use in more distal bypasses. A total of 137 above-knee prosthetic grafts were performed over a 10-year period. Of the patients, 74 were available for further assessment. Overall, 97 per cent of veins were suitable for future bypass surgery if required. Above-knee prosthetic bypasses do not appear to jeopardize the ipsilateral long saphenous vein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Budd
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Langdon
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013848:Thigh; D014463:Ultrasonography