Panminerva medica
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A series of 62 femorofemoral bypass grafts (FFBG) is reported. The indication for this operation was unilateral iliofemoral occlusion with severe ischemia of the lower limb in poor-risk patients. Severe ischemia presented as rest pain and/or minor necrotic lesions to the foot fingers, while patients were defined poor-risk for aging and concomitant diseases advising major surgical procedures and general anaesthesia. ⋯ In the group of patients who underwent FFBG as the first vascular procedure, five early occlusions occurred: three Fogarty catheter thrombectomies were successful. Cumulative patency rate was then 77% at 36 months in the series of 58 survivors. Rest pain was relieved in any instances and a satisfactory improvement of claudication was obtained.