Femoro-popliteal reconstructions: "insitu" versus "reversed" technique: comparative results

Introduction. Infrainguinal arterial reconstruction is a procedure with two main types of autologous venous grafts: reversed-vein bypass grafting, and the in situ bypass grafting. Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages, and the aim of this study was to compare the results of each technique. Material and methods. In the period from 1999 to 2003, 118 patients with infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease (IAOD) undenvent reconstruction surgery at the Vascular and Transplantation Surgery Clinic in Novi Sad. 141 reconstruction procedures were performed using the autologous great saphenous vein. The patients were divided into two groups: group I included 72 patients with "in situ " by­pass grafts and group II included 46 with 55 "reversed" bypass grafts. The postoperative function was evaluated by using a pocket-sized Doppler sonography, and by assessment of the postoperative increase in API in regard to preoperative values. Results. Statistical analysis of the investigated groups of patients and X2 showed that there were no statistically significant differences in postoperative patency, complication rate and number of salvaged limbs. Conclusion. We can conclude that both investigated reconstruction techniques have advantages and minor disadvantages: they are applicable, safe and reliable and each has a specific range of indications. .