Technical aspects and results of the open in situ saphenous vein bypass technique.

We reviewed 284 consecutive in situ saphenous vein bypass procedures performed for limb salvage over a 66 month period. All procedures were performed using an open technique with a modified Mills retrograde valvulotome using an incision exposing the whole vein. Ninety-eight percent were to the infrageniculate level (18% below knee popliteal and 80% crural).