Prosthetic reinforcement of varicose saphenous vein grafts for infrainguinal bypass

Use of varicose saphenous veins for infrainguinal bypass is often contraindicated because of the risk of immediate rupture or long-term aneurysm. In this report we describe four cases in which prosthetic reinforcement allowed successful femoropopliteal bypass grafting using highly varicose saphenous veins while preserving normal endothelium. No thrombosis or any other complication was observed after a mean follow-up of 41 months.