Below-knee bypass using fresh arterial allografts for limb salvage: early results.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate early results of below-knee bypass using fresh arterial allografts as arterial substitutes for limb salvage. From April 1991 to September 1993, we performed 28 below-knee bypass procedures using fresh arterial allografts in patients without a suitable autologous vein. Allografts were obtained by multiorgan harvesting from brain-dead subjects and preserved at 4 degrees C. Histologic examination of grafts was carried out. Secondary patency at 2 years calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method was 64% (confidence interval [CI] 45%-79%). No signs of graft deterioration or rejection were noted. These preliminary results are encouraging but long-term assessment is needed before expanding the range of application.
Magne
J L
JL
Service de Chirurgie Vasculaire, University Hospital, Grenoble, France.
Farah
I
I
Roux
J J
JJ
Voirin
L
L
Badra
A
A
Durand
M
M
Chichignoud
B
B
Guidicelli
H
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000792:Angiography; D001158:Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014654:Vascular Patency