Semiclosed and remote endarterectomy of the superficial femoral artery

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the feasibility of semiclosed and remote endarterectomy for the treatment of occlusive superficial femoral artery disease. During 2005 and 2006, 31 patients [aged 25-81] with critical lower limb ischemia and disabling claudication whom underwent endarterectomy of the superficial femoral artery using ring stripper in the vascular surgery department at Queen Alia hospital in Amman, were reviewed. Semiclosed endarterectomy technique was performed in 21 patients and remote endarterectomy in 10 patients. The procedure with its suspected outcome and complications was discussed with the patients including other treatment options. Written Ethical Approval was obtained from all the study patients. In 29 patients clinical success in the form of restoration of blood supply with limb salvage and alleviation of rest pain and disabling claudication was achieved which was the main goal. Clinical success rate was 94%. Two patients ended up with below knee amputation with a failure rate of 6%. One patient died postoperatively with a mortality rate of 3%. During the two years follow-up period, another three patients died, which was not related to surgery. Semiclosed and remote endarterectomy using ring stripper is a useful technique in the treatment of occlusive arterial lesions of the superficial femoral artery and should be considered as one of the treatment options among selected cases