THE LIMITATIONS OF POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF FEMORO-POPLITEAL AND TIBIAL ARTERIES

Abstract

During a 3 yr period, 100 patients underwent femoropopliteal or tibial polytetrafluoroethylene bypass grafts. The indication for operation was limb salvage in 75 patients. Limb salvage was achieved in 63 of 75 patients. The patency rate at 30 mo. for those with above-knee grafts was superior to that for those with below-knee bypasses. Grafts done in good runoff situations resulted in better patency rates. Reinforced expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts appear to be acceptable substitutes for limb salvage when a vein is non available. Autogenous vein bypass grafting remains the preferred method of femoropopliteal and tibial reconstruction, especially when the distal anastomosis must be contributed below the knee. Whether or not polytetrafluoroethylene is better than other current graft materials is still not known.