Remote Superficial Femoral Artery Endarterectomy and Distal Vein Bypass for Limb Salvage: Initial Experience

Purpose : To examine the results of remote superficial femoral artery endarterectomy (RSFAE) performed through a small groin incision in conjunction with distal saphenous vein (SV) bypass for limb salvage.

Methods : A retrospective study was conducted of 21 patients (14 men; mean age 68.5 years, range 47–78) who underwent RSFAE and distal SV bypass between May 1998 and September 2001 for limb salvage. Thirteen had gangrene and 8 had rest pain. RSFAE was performed with the MollRing Cutter device through a femoral arteriotomy; the distal atheromatous plaque was “tacked up” with a stent. Distal SV bypass from the proximal popliteal artery was performed in situ in 7, from a transposed harvested vein in 8, or from a reversed graft in 6. All patients underwent follow-up examination with serial color-flow ultrasound scans.

Results : The mean length of the endarterectomized SFA was 26.5 cm (range 12–40). There were no deaths, only 2 wound complications, and the mean hospital length of stay was 3.1±0.6 days. The primary cumulative patency rate by life-table analysis was 71.4% with follow-up extending to an average of 12.4 months (range 1–18). There were 2 amputations for gangrene and 6 percutaneous procedures in 4 (19.1%) patients to maintain bypass patency, producing an assisted primary patency rate of 81.5%. The locations of the restenoses were evenly distributed along the endarterectomized SFA and SV graft.

Conclusions : When adequate SV is not available, RSFAE with residual SV bypass is a safe and moderately durable procedure that may prove to be a useful adjunct for limb salvage, especially in the presence of foot infection, where an autogenous tissue bypass is preferred.