[Orthotopic saphena bypass in situ (author's transl)]

A procedure intended to restore the obliterated femoropopliteal arterial pathway is described. The vena saphena magna is canulated with a silicone tube, thus fixing the valves against the venous wall, the side vessels thrombose and close by secondary organization. After 6 to 8 weeks the transformed vein will be interposed instead of the obliterated arterial segment. The advantage of the operative procedure described consists in considerably reduced operative trauma compared with the well-known methods. Clinical results of 20 patients are presented.