Inframelleolar arterial bypass for limb salvage. Late results.

Study objective: The objective of this retrospective study was to report th e long-term results of distal revascularization at the ankle in patients wi th critical ischemia. Patients and methods: From January 1989 to November 1999, 50 inframalleolar bypasses were performed in 49 patients (35 males and 14 females with a mea n age of 75 years [range: 51 to 95 years]). Twenty-five patients (50%) were diabetics. All patients presented with critical ischemia of the lower limb . Distal anastomosis was performed at the retromalleolar posterior tibial a rtery in 28 cases (56%), pedal artery in 20 cases (40%) and distal fibular artery in two cases (4%). Bypasses were performed using a greater saphenous vein (n = 38), a cryopreserved arterial allograft (n = 9), or a PTFE graft (n = 2). A composite graft with greater saphenous vein and arterial allogr aft was performed in two cases. Results: There were two early postoperative deaths. One patient presented a blow-out of the distal anastomosis that required bypass ligation and subse quent leg amputation. Early thrombosis of the graft occurred in four cases, leading to major amputation in three cases. No patients were lost to follo w-up and mean follow-up was 26.7 months (range: 1 to 86 months). Graft thro mbosis occurred in 15 patients and led to amputation in 6 cases. Bypass gra ft patency rate was 72% and 61% at 1 year and 3 years, respectively, yieldi ng a 80% limb salvage rate at 3 years. The 3-year actuarial survival rate w as 53%. Conclusion: Inframalleolar bypasses are a valuable tool in patients with cr itical ischemia. The lower limb salvage rate is satisfactory in this elderl y population. Based on this experience, angiography with good run-off and, when necessary, a surgical approach to verify patency or the arteries at th e ankle should always be performed before undertaking a major amputation. ( C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.