[Supragenicular bypass: venous in comparison with synthetic prosthesis (PTFE)]

In the time between 1984 and 1991 we have performed 136 infrainguinal arterial reconstructions to the supragenicular popliteal artery for lower extremity ischemia. We inserted in 98 cases the greater saphenous vein and in 38 cases a PTFE-prosthesis. Life-table primary patency rate at 5 years was 88% for the vein and 60% for the PTFE-grafts. Limb salvage results at 5 years were 92% and 76%. In our experience patency rates with PTFE are inferior compared with vein grafts even with distal anastomosis to the supragenicular popliteal artery. If we have to bypass we preferentially use the greater saphenous vein even in this position. "We do the best operation first".