VENOUS HOMOGRAFTS IN INFRAINGUINAL PROCEDURES - AN 8 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Autogenous saphenous vein is still the first choice graft material for femoro-distal bypass whenever it is available, but the choice of an a lternative is still a challenging problem. Between 1982 and 1989, 100 femoro-distal reconstructions were performed with saphenous vein segme nt homografts, harvested during varicose vein stripping, they were sel ected, prepared and stored at 4-degrees-C. In 71 cases the distal anas tomosis was below the knee. According to the actuarial life table anal ysis (Kaplan & Meyer) the cumulative graft patency rate after 6 months , 1, 3, 5 and 7 years was 79%, 63%, 46%, 45% and 42% respectively. Twe lve cases of aneurysm formation or stenosis requiring reintervention o ccurred. The patency rate was not influenced by the site of the distal anastomosis, but the condition of the run-off vessels had a significa nt influence on the early occlusion rate. Varicose vein segments are a readily available source of graft material. The low cost, easy storag e and handling of these grafts justify their use in limb salvage proce dures.