A new technique for bilateral iliac vein and inferior vena cava reconstruction using reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene.

We report on the management of a patient with intractable venous claudication and ulceration due to bilateral iliac vein and inferior vena cava occlusion. An inverted V graft was constructed from two 8 mm diameter reinforced PTFE grafts. The upper end was anastomosed to the inferior infrarenal vena cava and the lower ends anastomosed to the common femoral veins. Bilateral arteriovenous fistulas were fashioned. Nine months later the graft is patent and the patient's only symptom is mild ankle edema. The theoretical advantage of this type of graft is that occlusion of one limb will not compromise the other, thus leaving a number of secondary options open if this should happen.