Femoropopliteal bypass using autogenous vein and modified human umbilical vein. A comparative study

This study is based on 223 consecutive femoro-popliteal and femorotibial bypass grafts performed between January 1978 and June 1985 at the Western General Hospital. Autogenous vein grafts demonstrated better 5 year patency rates (54%) than modified human umbilical vein (32%). The superiority of autogenous vein was even more marked when anastomoses were to below knee vessels: 56% compared with 26% at 5 years. Grafts anastomosed to the superficial femoral artery had similar long term patency to those anastomosed to the common femoral artery. When grafts were required for severe ischaemia, similar 5 year patency rates were achieved with autogenous vein (35%) and modified human umbilical vein (30%). The 5 year limb salvage rate in severe ischaemia was 72% for autogenous vein and 63% for modified human umbilical vein. The findings confirm that modified human umbilical vein is a satisfactory alternative when autogenous vein is not available.