Extraanatomic vascular reconstruction in patients with aorto-iliac arteriosclerosis.

During an 11-year period 117 extraanatomic reconstructions were made for aorto-iliac arteriosclerosis; 36 axillofemoral and 81 femorofemoral crossover bypasses. The patients were old and had several factors making them poor risks for surgery. Axillofemoral grafts were more often used in patients with malignant disease. Postoperative mortality was 10% without difference between the two types of reconstruction. Both early and late complications were significantly more frequent in patients with axillofemoral bypass. Reoperations for occlusion and symptoms from the donor side also were significantly more common among axillofemoral patients. Life table analysis showed a higher survival and patency rate among patients with crossover grafts.