Open AccessSuccessful Long-term Limb Salvage Using Cephalic Vein Bypass Grafts
Author(s) -
Robert W. Harris,
George Andros,
Leopoldo B. Dulawa,
Robert W. Oblath,
Sergio X. Salles–Cunha,
Roseanne L. Apyan
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198412000-00019
Subject(s) - medicine , cephalic vein , vein , george (robot) , surgery , lower limb , term (time) , anatomy , art history , physics , art , quantum mechanics
Successful long-term limb salvage using cephalic vein bypass grafts was attained in 70 limbs of 67 patients over the past 11 years. The saphenous vein was absent in 76% and inadequate in 24% of the cases. Revascularization for limb salvage was carried out in 83%. Ninety per cent of the grafts were extended to the infrageniculate level while 56% were to a tibial vessel. Patency rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 85%, 72%, and 68%, respectively. Limb salvage rate was 85% at 5 years and thereafter. There were no operative deaths or upper extremity morbidity. The 5-year survival rate was 50%. The results obtained with cephalic vein were comparable to those reported using saphenous vein but superior to those reported for nonautogenous bypass grafts.