[Prospective study of the long-term permeability of the internal saphenous vein and of polytetrafluoroethylene in the lower femoro-popliteal bypass. Results after 5 years in 100 patients].

Autogenous saphenous vein (ASV) (50 patients-group I) was compared to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (50 patients group II), in 100 below-knee femoropopliteal bypass (FPB) procedures performed for limb salvage during à 5 year-period. PTFE was used as an alternative procedure in the absence of a suitable ASV. Each group made of 50 patients was not significantly different from the other. The mean follow up period for patent graft is now 35 months (12-60 months) and the overall life table cumulative patency at 5 years, is 65% in group I and 18% in group II (P less than 0.05) whereas the limb salvage rate (LSR) is 81% with ASV and 26% PTFE (P less than 0.05). No correlation was demonstrated between patency and run-off. The graft described was used in elderly patients most of whom would have had amputation before the introduction of PTFE. Theses results advocate the use of PTFE only in secondary intention and never to shorter operation time.