Femorofemoral grafts for unilateral occlusion of aortic bifurcation grafts.

Femorofemoral bypass grafts were performed in 10 patients who developed thrombosis of one of the limbs of previously placed aortoiliac or aortofemoral bifurcation grafts. There were no operative deaths or significant postoperative morbidity, and no amputations had to be performed following the bypass. Nine of the 10 patients have patent grafts from 5 to 70 months (average 33 months) following operation. Of these nine, eight are asymptomatic and one has mild claudication on the side of the unoccluded limb. Because of its simplicity, low operative risk, and encouraging late success rate, we feel that femorofemoral bypass grafting for late unilateral occlusion of a prosthetic bifurcation graft is the procedure of choice.