title: Local complications after arterial bypass grafting.
abstract: We have documented prospectively the problems occurring after 496 arterial bypass grafts (149 aortoiliac, 238 femorodistal, 65 extra-anatomic, and 44 others) implanted during the period 1987 to 1991 in a district general hospital. Postoperative bleeding occurred early in 14 (2.8%), and later (because of infection) in 3 (0.6%). Early graft occlusion (< 30 days) was seen in 2.9% aortofemoral, 10.4% femoropopliteal, and 25.3% femorotibial grafts, and amputation was required after 6.9% grafts. Wound problems were most common after femorotibial bypass--weeping of fluid in 3% and dehiscence or infection in 13.9%. Lymphatic collections occurred after 1.2% operations involving groin incisions. Graft sepsis was usually late, affecting 6% aortofemoral, 2.9% femorodistal, and 7.7% extra-anatomic grafts, but no intra-abdominal aortic grafts. These figures are probably representative of the complication rates seen by many surgeons and serve as an example for comparison and criticism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter.
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Tambeur
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Geens
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular; D006470:Hemorrhage; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000601:surgery; D008485:Medical Audit; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors