Continuous loop of basilic-cephalic vein for lower extremity bypass - A case report and review

Finding a suitable conduit for lower extremity arterial bypass can be a cha llenge, especially when the greater saphenous vein has been used for other bypasses. Several different types of conduits have been tried with variable success rates. Autologous vein grafts seem to have a higher patency rate t han prosthetic grafts. In this article, a case is presented in which a cont inuous loop of basilic-cephalic vein was used to bypass superficial femoral artery to dorsalis pedis. This innovative conduit has the advantage of bei ng autologous and without any intervening venovenous anastomoses and its as sociated complications. A review of such vein loop grafts and other types o f conduits is presented in the text.