Purpose: The widely accepted durability of autogenous vein for infrainguinal arterial bypass has led the authors to use the superficial femoral and popliteal vein in selected cases. The results of this experience are presented.
Methods: From January through December 1991, during which 92 lower extremity bypass procedures were performed, deep vein bypass was attempted in seven patients (three femoral-popliteal grafts, two femoral-peroneal grafts, one femoral-deep femoral bypass, and one popliteal-posterior tibial bypass). In all cases the saphenous vein was absent or inadequate for use as a bypass conduit. The superficial femoral vein was harvested to below the knee in five patients.
Results: At last follow-up six of seven patients had patent grafts with relief of their original symptoms. All the procedures were complicated by venous stasis; acute postoperative phlegmasia developed in two cases. In one of these cases the limb was salvaged by below-knee fasciotomy and deep venous bypass (distal popliteal vein to common femoral vein with polytetrafluoroethylene). In the other case an above-knee amputation was required. Of the five remaining patients three had moderate venous stasis edema unresponsive to limb elevation and compression stockings after operation, and two have had resolution of minimal postoperative venous stasis with simple limb elevation. All cases of severe and moderate venous stasis occurred in patients with popliteal vein harvest to below the knee.
Conclusions: The authors conclude that the use of the deep veins of the lower extremity for bypass is effective but is associated with a significant increase incidence of venous stasis edema. Two instances of phlegmasia were associated with popliteal vein harvest below the knee, and the authors caution against harvest of the popliteal vein to this level.