[Extra-anatomical bypass grafting in high-risk patients (author's transl)]

Extra-anatomical grafting (axillo-femoral and femoro-femoral bypass) seems to present a possibility of saving the lower limbs from amputation in high-risk patients with severe decompensation from arterial occlusive diseases of the legs. A case description is given of 20 patients, in whom 21 bypass procedures were carried out. The results with axillo-femoral bypass proved satisfactory and this method of intervention can be recommended as an emergency operation in high-risk patients.