ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the great saphenous vein (GSV) as a conduit for crossover femoro-femoral bypass. Generally the conduit for crossover femoro-femoral bypass is a synthetic material because of the acceptable long-term patency and low complication rates. But, as the average life expectancy becomes extended, a better patency rate becomes more important. In this study, we compared the patency rates and hemodynamic results between crossover femoro-femoral bypass operations with GSVs and those with synthetic grafts. METHODS: From 1998 to 2008, 119 femoro-femoral bypass operations were done. Among them, 38 femoro-femoral bypass used GSV as a conduit (group I) and 79 operations used expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (group II). Two cases used arm veins and we excluded those cases. RESULTS: The 3 year primary patency rate of total cases was 75.1%, 93.7% in group I and 66.1% in group II. There were no statistical differences in hemodynamic results such as peak systolic velocity, volume flow and ankle/brachial systolic pressure index between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The 3 year primary patency rate of group I was better than that of group II. However there were no differences in hemodynamic changes. So GSV is recommended as a conduit for crossover femoro-femoral bypass especially in young patients who are eager to have longer patency rates after surgery instead of less invasive endovascular therapy.