Abstract

Between Jaunary 1986-July 1992, 29 long-term greft failures (43 limbs) of aorta-bifemoral bypass are reoperated. The mean greft occlusion time was 24.7 months (3-52 mo.). inflow operations were as follows; reaortobifemoral grafting in 12 cases, replacement of greft limb in 10 cases thrombectomy in 6 cases and straightening of a kinking greft in 1 case. Outflow operations had to be added for 37 limbs. There was 1 (3.5 %) early mortality. In the long term follow up, 1 case (3.5 %) died from greft sepsis. Three late greft failures were admitted to hospital on 1 lth, 18th, 27th postopera¬tive months. Amputations to 2 of these cases had to be performed. As a conclusion there is not only one type of oper¬ation for the late aortobifemoral greft occlusions, but always a sufficient outflow operation should be added to improve the long term patency rates.

Key words: None