Lower Limb Artery Bypass Grafting

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease that affects mainly large arterial vessels; it is mostly observed in elderly people. It is characterized by the thickening of the arterial wall due to the growth of connective tissue and the deposition of yellow fatty substances on the inner surface of the artery walls, forming “atherosclerotic plaques.” Blood flow decreases, blood pressure increases, which can lead to myocardial infarction, stroke, and other diseases in middle and old age.

A patient with atherosclerosis is prescribed a special diet and drugs that reduce blood clotting. If these treatment methods do not work, bypass grafting of the arteries of the lower extremities is performed.

Indications for Bypass Grafting

Femoral-popliteal bypass grafting is prescribed for blockage of the femoral artery and circulatory disorders in the lower extremities that arise as a result of this. Typically, bypass surgery is used at stage IIB–III of vascular occlusion, when the patient experiences leg pain and intermittent claudication.

The cause of the blockage or narrowing of the lumen of the artery is usually atherosclerosis, a disease with a complex pathogenesis in which, due to genetic, autoimmune, infectious factors, and impaired lipid metabolism, layers form on the inner surface of arterial vessels, leading to impaired blood flow.

Without qualified medical and surgical treatment of atherosclerosis, the risk of complications increases, including the development of gangrene and limb amputation.

Stages of Bypass Surgery of the Vessels of the Lower Extremities in the Korona Clinic

Vascular bypass surgery is a procedure during which a shunt (an artificial tube through which blood passes or the patient’s own vein) is sewn to the narrowed artery above and below the narrowing to create a bypass path for blood flow.

Femoral-popliteal bypass surgery is a surgical procedure aimed at restoring blood flow in the leg vessels when the femoral and popliteal arteries are narrowed or blocked.

Preparation for Surgery

Before the surgery, you will undergo diagnostics: a consultation with a vascular surgeon and an ultrasound examination of the vessels of the lower extremities. Ultrasound is performed to clarify the localization of plaques — that is, to determine areas of vascular blockage.

The patient is prescribed general and biochemical blood tests, an ECG, and a consultation with an anesthesiologist. Smoking should be stopped 2–4 weeks before the surgery.

Performing the Surgery

The bypass procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The duration of the intervention is 2–4 hours.

There are two main methods of femoral-popliteal bypass that restore blood circulation below the knee joint:

• Femoral-popliteal autovenous bypass — a bypass of a blocked artery using the patient’s own vein (usually the great saphenous vein).
• Femoral-popliteal allograft bypass — an artificial vessel made of medical-grade materials, which later becomes covered with cells of the vascular wall.

Each technique is selected individually, but more often surgeons use the patient’s own vein because it provides better long-term patency. If no suitable vein is available or a long shunt is needed, an artificial graft is used.

To prevent thrombosis and other complications after surgery, the angiosurgeon prescribes anticoagulants. Bypass surgery restores normal blood flow — the result becomes noticeable a few days after the operation: leg pain decreases, the skin color improves, and the pulse in the feet becomes clearer.

Advantages of Vascular Bypass Surgery at the Korona Clinic in Lviv

We offer effective treatment of vascular diseases using minimally invasive and open interventions. Our advantages include experienced vascular surgeons, modern equipment, and a short hospital stay.

If you are interested in lower limb vascular bypass surgery, the price at Korona includes support from experienced doctors and comfortable wards in our vascular surgery department.

You can make an appointment for a consultation and examination by calling: (050) 282-98-68, (068) 776-65-54.