[Bypass for limb salvage. A matter of the veins? Preliminary report apropos of 100 femoro-distal revascularizations].
The authors have performed a prospective study on 100 cases of limb salvage. The reference procedure was the in situ femoro-subinguinal bypass (67 observations). If no vein could be used, replacement material was thin-wall PTFE (33 observations). Both groups are clinically and radiologically homogeneous. The longest delay is 30 months. The cumulated patency rate is 86% for venous bypass grafts against 62% for prostheses. The difference is less marked for limb salvage: 96% with venous bypass and 84% with a PTFE bypass. Without trying to oppose both techniques, the authors emphasize the need for revascularization, even when distally seems to be compromised.