[Femoral-popliteal by-pass by an internal saphenous vein graft]

Obstruction of the superficial femoral vein is, most of the time, secondary to atheroma. It is possible to correct it with a reconstructive procedure such as a by-pass. The results of 55 femoro-popliteal by-passes show that the mean age of the patients is between 50 and 60 years, that they are male, and often inveterate smokers. It is Fontaine's 2nd degree ischemia which is observed most of the time. The greater saphenous vein was always satisfactorily used. Three years after the procedure, the results of this venous autograft were studied and we noticed only four obstructions of the graft. These results seem related to higher fibrinogen levels, a defective heart condition, an insufficient diameter of the arteries receiving the graft. Only one leg amputation was performed at the level of the knee.