ANEURYSMS OF THE POPLITEAL ARTERY - INTRAVASCULAR BYPASS WITH THE INTERNAL SAPHENOUS-VEIN

We used the internal saphenous vein to create an intravascular bypass for the treatment of aneurysms of the popliteal artery. The saphenous vein was positioned within the lumen of the aneurysmal popliteal arter y and in the superficial femoral artery at its origin. Two end-to-end anastomoses were made including the venous wall within the suture. Thi s new surgical technique is based on 3 criteria. i) anatomic: the veno us bypass follows the exact path as the artery since it is situated wi thin the lumen; ii) haemodynamic: end-to-end anastomoses are used to a void turbulence created with end-to-side sutures; iii) histologic: the venous endothelium protects better against thrombus formation ensurin g good long-term permeability.