Extra-anatomic bypass surgery for critical leg ischemia. A review.

Since an aggressive revascularisation policy for critical limb ischemia (CLI) has been shown to lower morbidity and mortality, to improve quality of life and to be cost-effective in comparison to amputation, extra-anatomic bypass (EAB) grafts may be indicated whenever hostile local conditions or severe medical diseases contraindicate an aortofemoral reconstruction. Most series report limb-salvage rates markedly higher than the related patency rates, as revascularisations may often heal the ischemic extremity before the graft occludes. A large review of data from the literature suggests that EAB grafting for CLI may achieve gratifying results in a subgroup of patients with multilevel obstructive disease and not suitable for conventional aortofemoral repair.