title: Reoperation for aortofemoral graft limb occlusion: optimal methods and long-term results.
abstract: To determine optimal methods of reoperation, experience with 157 secondary procedures for unilateral aortofemoral graft limb occlusion in 110 patients during a 16-year period was reviewed. In earlier years, inflow was reestablished by direct replacement of the graft limb or entire graft (11%); more recently, graft limb thrombectomy has been used most frequently (68%) with equal success, durability, and less morbidity. Femorofemoral grafts from the patent contralateral graft limb were employed in 18% of patients, usually those in whom thrombectomy was not attempted. Thrombolytic therapy (3%) appears to offer little advantage, is time-consuming, and occasionally causes significant complications. In addition to reestablishment of inflow, most patients also required revision of the femoral anastomosis to improve profunda femoris runoff; this was usually best accomplished by short segmental extension of the graft limb to the more distal deep femoral artery. Concomitant femoropopliteal bypass was done in 32% of patients and is indicated when preoperative angiography or specific intraoperative findings suggest inadequate profunda femoris outflow. An aggressive approach to reoperation appeared justified by long-term results (mean follow-up 37 months). Despite the need for repetitive reoperation in 26% of patients (two to five reoperations), graft limb patency was ultimately maintained in 78% and limb salvage achieved in 67% of patients, with an operative mortality rate of only 1.9%.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors