The deep veins in arterial reconstructive surgery for limb salvage in patients with multiple occlusions of the femoral and tibioperoneal vessels

Below-knee femoropopliteal and femorodistal bypass with nonautologous material shows poor patency rates, especially in multiple occlusions of the tibioperoneal vessels. Twenty-four patients underwent arterial reconstruction for limb salvage using the deep leg veins because the great saphenous vein was not available owing to previous operations. A follow-up period of forty-two months revealed an average bypass patency rate of 75%. During the control period all patients were prospectively investigated concerning changes in the venous system. The authors found only little changes in the venous system and no significant signs of venous insufficiency. The deep leg veins seem to be a valuable addition to arterial reconstructive surgery for limb salvage.