Pantaloon vein graft technique in tibial revascularization with arteriovenous fistula for limb salvage

Abstract

Graft patency and limb salvage in 91 successive patients operated upon between April 1989 and April 1994 with a human umbilical vein graft combined with an adjunctive arteriovenous fistula at the distal anastomosis of the prosthetic graft in a single limb were evaluated. All the patients operated on were in the 'limb salvage' category. On discharge from hospital 91% of the revascularized limbs were salvaged. Secondary cumulative patency at 57 months was 57.3% with a 61.5% limb salvage rate. This technique, which has anatomical and haemodynamic advantages, results in improved graft patency and foot salvage rates in patients with critical leg ischaemia and poor distal run-off when autologous saphenous vein is absent or cannot be used.