The multiple sequential distal bypass graft: improving nature's alternatives.

Sequential femoral-distal bypass grafts were employed to revascularize 21 ischemic limbs. An end-to-side distal anastomosis plus an additional side-to-side anastomosis to an isolated popliteal segment or an additional distal tibial vessel were employed. If one graft that underwent successful early revision is included, the initial patency rate was 100%. After a median follow-up of 8 months, complete graft failure had occurred in three patients. A previously unreported occurrence in two patients was proximal graft segment occlusion, with patency of th distal segment that was successfully revascularized. One additional patient had occlusion of the distal graft segment. Limb salvage was achieved in 20 of the 21 patients. This approach offers several hemodynamic advantages and may be the procedure of choice in patients with distal runoff that si not ideal for a routine femoropopliteal bypass graft.