Tibial and peroneal artery bypasses using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with an interposition vein cuff.
The combined results of femoro-distal bypasses using prosthetic material with vein cuffs from two separate vascular units is presented.


METHODS
Over the last five years, 89 infrainguinal bypasses using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with a distal interposition vein cuff to a tibial artery have been performed in two centres. All operations were for critical limb ischaemia. The mean age was 72 years (47-90), there were 46 males and 43 females, 27 of whom were diabetic. Twenty-eight patients had a history of angina and/or previous myocardial infarct. The median follow-up was 12 months (0-68 months).


RESULTS
During the follow-up period there were 28 deaths, 35 major limb amputations and 44 graft failures. The graft patency rates at 12 and 24 months were 50 and 32%, and limb salvage rates were 53 and 44%, respectively. The patient survival rates were 66 and 61%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors believe that the likely improvement in pain free quality of life the patient may enjoy with a successful bypass shifts the balance in some individuals towards bypass surgery using PTFE with a vein cuff to a tibial artery when such an option is possible.
Stonebridge
P A
PA
Vascular Surgical Service, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, U.K.
Naidu
S
S
Colgan
M P
MP
Moore
D J
DJ
Shanik
D G
DG
McCollum
P T
PT
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation*
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene