Objective: We evaluated the long-term outcomes of obturator bypass.
Material and methods: A total of 16 patients (13 males and 3 females; 17 limbs) who underwent obturator bypass surgery at our department between April 1995 and March 2008 were included.
Results: Their ages ranged from 50 to 90 with a mean of 74 years. Inguinal infections observed in the 16 patients consisted of vascular graft infections in 13 patients, hemostatic device infections following endovascular therapy in two patients, and femoral artery infections following coronary angiography in one patient. The cumulative patency rate was 69% for 3 years and 43% for 5 years. The cumulative survival rate was 64% for 3 years and 55% for 5 years.
Conclusion: Obturator bypass surgery was successfully performed with favorable results for arterial infections and vascular graft infections in the inguinal region.
Keywords: infections of femoro-popliteal artery bypass grafts; inguinal arterial infections; obturator bypass.