title: A prospective randomized multicentre comparison of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and gelatin-sealed knitted Dacron grafts for femoropopliteal bypass.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare graft patency between expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and gelatin-sealed knitted Dacron for femoropopliteal bypass.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, multicentre trial was performed in 108 patients randomized to receive either a PTFE or Dacron prosthetic graft. Distal anastomosis was above knee in 75 and below knee in 33 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary patency at 1, 2 and 3 years was 72, 52 and 52% for PTFE, and 70, 56 and 47% for Dacron (P = 0.87). Secondary patency at 1, 2 and 3 years was 74, 54 and 54% for PTFE and 78, 70 and 53% for Dacron (P = 0.39). The most significant predictors of early graft failure were poor vessel run-off (P = 0.04) and critical limb ischaemia (P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no difference in graft patency between PTFE and Dacron for femoropopliteal bypass.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: B I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tomlinson
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hazelton
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stuchbery
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000601:surgery*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D014654:Vascular Patency
chemical_list: D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene