[The use of cryopreserved arterial allografts as a resort material in limb salvage surgery].
We report in this paper our experience and results in the surgical management of patients with critical ischemia of the lower extremities, utilizing cryopreserved arterial allografts as a resort material.


METHODS
The series includes 31 consecutive patients with critical ischemia of the lower extremities, who received a cryopreserved arterial allograft as a resort material, from January 2001 to December 2002. Average age was 72.2 +/- 8.8 years, 26 were male and among the risk factors 58 were heavy smokers, 45% had diagnosed some cardiac/coronary disease and 29% suffered of chronic bronchitis. Almost 80% of the allografts were implanted in the leg arteries, beyond the level of the popliteal trifurcation. Allografts were provided by the Tissue Bank of our Hospital.


RESULTS
Mid term patency rates (36 months) was 36.5%; however, the limb salvage rates was 60% for the same period of time.


CONCLUSIONS
Limb salvage surgery of critical limb ischemia accomplished with cryopreserved arterial allografts provides acceptable results and should be taken in consideration as a resort alternative for the surgical management of these patients.
Rielo
Francisco
F
Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular do Complexo Hospitalar Juan Canalejo, A Corũna, Spain.
Segura
Ramon
R
D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods