Infrapopliteal bypass grafts for severe ischaemia of the lower limb.

A retrospective survey of 27 infrapopliteal bypass grafts performed for rest pain revealed a cumulative limb salvage rate of 65.3% with an overall operative mortality of 8%. When pre-operative angiography demonstrates a patent infrapopliteal artery, reversed saphenous vein bypass grafting offers a realistic alternative to primary amputation when femoropopliteal occlusion threatens limb viability.