Limb salvage by extended profunda femoris revascularization.

We would conclude from the present series that if there is an adequate descending branch of the profunda femoris artery (20--25 cm), revascularization of the profunda femoris artery is worthwhile even in the presence of marked distal ischemia. In the present series, early success was manifested by relief of rest pain, healing of ischemic ulcers, and elevated ankle pressures (86%). The late success rate was 73%. If the proximal revascularization fails, distal bypasses can be added at a later procedure.