Distal tibial artery thrombectomy in acute limb ischemia.

During the past two years, in cases of infrapopliteal embolic occlusion not retrievable through the femoral approach, we have used distal tibial thrombectomy in preference to a direct approach via the popliteal artery. Distal tibial thrombectomy was done in seven extremities in six patients with excellent results. Only one extremity required subsequent amputation. There were no mortalities. This represents a limb salvage rate of 85%.