[Long-term outcome of distal bypass]

Although 30 years age reconstructive surgery on crural arteries was technically not feasible, primary successful revascularization is now possible in 95% of arterial occlusive diseases in the lower leg. If untreated, reocclusion of the graft occurs in 40 to 60% during the first postoperative year. With a close, morphologically oriented follow-up routine, an assisted primary patency of up to 80% and an even higher secondary patency can be achieved. Myointimal proliferation is mostly responsible for bypass failure in the early postoperative period especially at the site of the distal anastomosis.