BACKGROUND: Wound complications associated with bypass grafting to the dorsalis pedis artery are frequent, and threaten the viability of the bypass and the limb. METHODS: The long saphenous vein can be tunneled from its bed down the lateral side of the anterior margin of the tibia for subsequent anastomosis with the dorsalis pedis artery. CONCLUSION: The proximalized lateral tunnel for the bypass to the dorsalis pedis artery has the advantage of protecting the bypass graft from exposure if the patient develops wound breakdown.
BACKGROUND: Wound complications associated with bypass grafting to the dorsalis pedis artery are frequent, and threaten the viability of the bypass and the limb. METHODS: The long saphenous vein can be tunneled from its bed down the lateral side of the anterior margin of the tibia for subsequent anastomosis with the dorsalis pedis artery. CONCLUSION: The proximalized lateral tunnel for the bypass to the dorsalis pedis artery has the advantage of protecting the bypass graft from exposure if the patient develops wound breakdown.