title: Below-knee popliteal and distal bypass with PTFE and vein cuff.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the value of PTFE grafts with a distal vein cuff as a conduit for below-knee (BK) popliteal and distal bypass in the absence of autologous vein.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty below BK popliteal and distal bypass procedures in 39 patients with PTFE and distal vein cuff (Miller cuff n = 31, Wolfe cuff and adjuvant arteriovenous fistula n = 9). Nineteen primary and 21 secondary reconstruction procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The primary patency rate was 62.5% at 1 year falling to 50% at 2 years. The secondary patency rates were very similar owing to poor outcome of thrombectomy. Ten cases (25%) resulted in major amputation postoperatively. There was a tendency towards better outcome for primary procedures compared to secondary/redo procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BK popliteal and distal bypass with PTFE and distal vein cuff is a worthwhile procedure in the absence of autologous vein. The value of thrombectomy following thrombosis of a secondary bypass procedure with PTFE and distal vein cuff is questionable.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Section, Gentofte University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Baekgaard
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Christoffersen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene