LIMB SALVAGE BY CROSSED FEMORO-POPLITEAL SHUNT.

Crossover femoral-popliteal bypass has been used in three instances where it was thought that the profunda femoris artery provided inadequate outflow and that proximal origin of the graft from the aorta would be technically difficult. Although all three grafts were successful early, one developed two stenoses at five months requiring vein patch grafting and a third stenosis at eight months that led to amputation. One failed at eight months due to proximal prosthesis failure. This type of reconstruction is occasionally useful when aorto-femoral bypass is contraindicated and the profunda femoris artery provides inadequate outflow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]