Bypass grafts to the ankle and foot.

Two hundred forty-three bypasses to paramalleolar arteries were performed in 224 extremities of 208 patients since 1971; 166 were implanted in men (68%) and 77 in women (32%). The median age was 73 years. Gangrene (61%), nonhealing ulcer (15%), rest pain (22%), and trauma (2%) were the indications for bypass. Usual risk factors were noted: diabetes (65%), smoking (51%), heart disease (46%), and hypertension (45%). The extent of occlusive disease dictated three graft configurations: long grafts originating in arteries proximal to the adductor tendon (n = 111), short grafts originating at or below the popliteal artery (n = 88), and jump grafts originating near the distal end of a previous femorodistal bypass (n = 44). The association between diabetes (incidence 80%) and gangrene (75%) in patients with short grafts was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). The 2-year secondary patency rate of long in situ grafts was 92% compared with 72% for other autogenous vein long grafts. The limb salvage rate for all autogenous vein long grafts was 90% at 3 years. The secondary patency rate at 3 years for short grafts was 81% and the limb salvage rate was 80%. There were four amputations with patent grafts. Primary and secondary patency rates of jump grafts were similar (53%), whereas the limb salvage rate was 89% at 2 years. Patency and limb salvage rates of rarely employed nonautogenous conduits were less than 35% at 1 year (long grafts). Bypass grafts to the ankle and foot are effective and durable and should be performed with autogenous vein.