Review of 210 autogenous vein by-pass operations

This is a retrospective review, using the life table method, of 210 vein by-pass operations. Sixtythree percent of the operations were performed for limb salvage. Eightyeight percent of the operations were performed with the distal anastomosis below the knee joint. The longerm patency rates for those grafts with good run-off was significantly better (p = .036) than for those with poor run-off and the addition of a lumbar sympathectomy was found not to significantly alter the longterm patency rates. Re-operation for graft failure in the first 448 hours after operation was found to be worthwhile procedure giving a cumulative patency rate of 59.9% at five years. A five year cumulative patency rate of 57% is reported and autogenous vein bypass is considered a worthwhile procedure for limb salvage and some selected claudicants with femoro-popliteal arterial disease.