[Extra-anatomic bypass]

The authors describe their experience on extra-anatomic bypass effected in five years at their Hospital. This note assesses indications relative to rebuilding operations of this kind (in particular distal revascularization in patients at high risk, or as secondary operations at prosthesis infections), the complications that can derive and finally the series in our Hospital in the years between 1986 and 1991. In our experience axillo-mono, bi-femoral and femoro-femoral bypass have been effected getting excellent results, so we believe that these operating techniques should also be extended to younger patients and to patients with arteriopathies to the late second stage of Leriche-Fontaine.