The Role of Polytetrafluoroethylene Graft Material in Buerger's Disease

The early and long-term results of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts in different anatomical locations were evaluated in 14 patients with Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans). During a 10-year period, 2160 patients with peripheral vascular disease were treated and, in 258, the diagnosis of Buerger's disease was made. Fourteen of these 258 patients underwent revascularization with PTFE grafts. In a follow-up period, up to 8 years patency rates were as follows: aorto/ilofemoral bypass 80%, femoropopliteal bypass 40%, femorocrural bypass 50% with a cumulative patency rate of 57.1%, and limb salvage rate of 88.9%. Because of the diverse nature and small number of the operations, the numerical results are not amenable to statistical analysis, but 88.9% limb salvage rate is satisfying in Buerger's disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of PTFE grafts in Buerger's disease and it validates limb salvage even below the inguinal ligament.