ESMARCH BANDAGE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR VASCU LAR CLAMPS IN DISTAL BYPASS-SURGERY

The Esmarch bandage is an effective substitute for vascular clamps in distal femoro-popliteal or tibial bypass surgery. Intimal trauma cause d by clamping is avoided, vasa vasorum are preserved due to only semi- circumferential dissection of vessels. This method is particularly sui table for heavy calcified rigid vessel walls. We demonstrate this tech nique, which was employed in 8 patients (10 bypasses). The use of this technique requires neither a longer operation- nor clamping time. The postoperative course of all but one patients develops normally and th e technique does not provoke any pathological results in the area of o peration. Advantages of the procedure compared to conventional techniq ues will be discussed.