Arterialized Vein Bypass Graft Recipient Vessel in Free Tissue Transfer Covering Diabetic Foot Ulcers Complicated by Critical Limb Ischemia

Abstract

Limb salvage options are limited in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia. Soft tissue coverage remains technically demanding with limited recipient vessels for free tissue transfer. These factors make revascularization alone challenging. When open bypass revascularization is possible, venous bypass graft is optimal and functions as a recipient vessel for staged free tissue transfer.The authors present 2 cases using a combination approach of staged venous bypass graft revascularization followed by free tissue transfer with anastomosis to the venous bypass graft resulting in successful limb preservation.Free tissue transfer to a native vessel has limited application in severe peripheral vascular disease patients because early vascular compromise threatens flap survival. In both presented cases, venous bypass graft alone was insufficient to treat their nonhealing wounds, and preoperative angiogram revealed dismal options for free tissue transfer reconstruction. However, previous venous bypass graft provided an operable vessel for free tissue transfer anastomosis. The combination of venous bypass graft and free tissue transfer proved to be ideal for successful limb preservation by providing vascularized tissue to previously ischemic angiosomes, ensuring optimal wound healing capacity. Venous bypass graft is advantageous to native arterial grafts, and its combination with free tissue transfer likely increases graft patency and flap survival. We demonstrate that end-to-side anastomosis to a venous bypass graft is a viable option in these highly comorbid patients with favorable flap outcomes.