[Long occlusion of the superficial femoral artery: revascularization by venous graft].

In long occlusions of the superficial femoral artery, possibilities of revascularization depend on the patency of the above-knee popliteal artery. In case of occlusion of the above-knee popliteal artery, the distal anastomosis is to be performed at the below-knee level or more distally; in this situation, studies demonstrate a clearcut superiority of venous bypasses over prosthetic bypasses. Patency of the above-knee popliteal artery allows to perform a shorter bypass avoiding to cross the knee joint; given comparable results between venous and prosthetic above-knee bypasses in certain series, several authors advocated the preferential, if not systematic use of prosthetic materials at this level; this attitude having the advantage of preserving the saphenous vein for later coronary or distal grafting. A critical analysis of studies advocating this therapeutic option reveals that results of prosthetic and venous above-knee bypasses are equivalent in only very restrictive clinical situations (claudication, good runoff) and for follow up less than 3 years; beyond this follow up, the use of a prosthesis increases the number of secondary procedures necessary for maintaining or restoring patency and for this reason increases slightly the overall mortality owing to the operative mortality associated with each reoperation. Apart from rare cases represented by fragile and high-risk patients, whose lifespan is likely to be short and in whom a quicker operation is advisable, indications of the use of prosthetic grafts depend on the limits of the use of the saphenous vein generated by a poor quality or an insufficient diameter.