Pedal bypass using venous allograft

Summary

Introduction:
Pedal or distal crural bypass surgery for limb salvage is a method with very good long-term results. For patients in whom a suitable autologous venous graft is not available, the use of a venous allograft is an alternative procedure.

Case report:
A 68 years old man with ischaemic disease of lower extremities and gangrene of the left foot was admitted to our Centre in August 2014. He underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of crural arteries of his left lower extremity. This, however, failed to improve peripheral circulation. The patient was then indicated for pedal or distal crural vascular reconstruction. Since no suitable autologous vein was available, distal bypass surgery using a donor graft remained the only option for limb salvage. Amputation of the toes on the left foot due to gangrene was necessary. Subsequently, femoro-pedal bypass to the left common plantar artery was performed using a great saphenous vein allograft. The post-operative course was without complications, the pedal bypass was patent and toe amputation was with good healing. The patient remained in follow-up care.

Conclusion:
A good outcome of vascular reconstruction with an allograft depends on the availability of a suitable allograft and good patient compliance with post-operative care. In the case presented here, the pedal bypass grafting by means of an allograft helped to save the patient’s limb.

Key words:
pedal bypass − venous allograft − limb salvage