Long-term results with vein homograft in femoro-distal arterial reconstructions

There still is a need for an alternative to autologous vein especially for infra-inguinal vascular reconstructions. Since 1984 we have used a denatured venous homograft in patients in whom the saphenous vein was either absent or unsuitable. One hundred and five homografts were implanted in the femoro-popliteal and 51 in the femoro-infrapopliteal position. The results obtained were satisfactory, with a 5-year cumulative patency (life-table method) of 53% overall, 68.4% in patients with disabling claudication, and 42% in those with critical ischaemia. The cumulative aneurysm rate was rather high, at 18% after 3 years and 58% after 5 years. An excellent limb salvage rate of 85% was achieved in patients with critical ischaemia. The management of graft aneurysms and the indications for reconstructive surgery with a denatured venous homograft are discussed.