title: Ankle bypass: should we go the distance?
abstract: This report reviewed the results of 47 distal arterial reconstructions to or below the level of the malleolus. The operations were performed by the techniques of popliteal-to-distal bypass (20 procedures) and in situ bypass (27 procedures). Seventy-five percent of patients had gangrene of ischemic ulceration, and all procedures were performed for limb salvage. Seventy-three percent of all patients were diabetic. The patency rates for popliteal-to-distal bypass with reversed saphenous vein were 92 percent at 24 months and 57 percent at 60 months, with a limb salvage rate of 70 percent at 60 months; the patency rates for popliteal-to-distal bypass with PTFE were 53 percent at 12 months and 0 at 36 months, with a limb salvage rate of 53 percent at 36 months; and the patency rate for in situ saphenous vein bypass was 96 percent at 24 months, with a limb salvage rate of 80 percent at 24 months. Early results are promising for ankle bypass using the techniques of popliteal-to-distal and in situ bypass.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005734:Gangrene / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene