Composite sequential grafts for femorocrural bypass reconstruction: experience with a modified technique

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of a modification of the composite sequential femorocrural bypass graft that we adopted in 1985, a retrospective case-note study was undertaken. The grafts combined a prosthetic femoropopliteal section with a popliteal to crural section with autologous vein, linked via a common intermediate anastomosis sited on the above-knee popliteal artery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1985 and 2000, 68 grafts of this type were constructed in 65 patients with critical ischemia of the lower limb and insufficient autologous vein for construction of an all venous bypass. Reasons for insufficient long saphenous vein included previous lower limb bypass in 33 cases, phlebitis in 16 cases, venous hypoplasia in eight cases, and previous varicose vein surgery in seven cases. Distal anastomoses were carried out to the peroneal artery in 26 cases, the anterior tibial artery in 17 cases, the posterior tibial artery in 17 cases, and the pedal arteries in eight cases. Sources of vein included the long saphenous vein in 26 cases, the arm vein in 38 cases, and the short saphenous vein in two cases. In 22 limbs (32%), angiography had shown an occluded segment of above-knee popliteal artery, and in these cases, local popliteal disobliteration was performed to receive the composite anastomosis and to provide additional outflow. RESULTS: The 2-year cumulative primary patency, secondary patency, and limb salvage rates were 68%, 73%, and 75%, respectively. Localized popliteal disobliteration did not compromise graft patency (P =.07, with log-rank test). CONCLUSION: In the absence of sufficient autologous vein, patients needing bypass to crural arteries can be offered reconstruction with composite sequential grafting with satisfactory results. Furthermore, an occluded above-knee popliteal segment is not a contraindication for composite sequential bypass reconstruction.     

True profunda femoris aneurysms: Are they more dangerous than other atherosclerotic aneurysms of the femoropopliteal segment?

Three cases of true aneurysms of the profunda femoris artery are reported along with a review of 17 other cases in the literature. These aneurysms are rare and commonly present with rapid enlargement or rupture (9/20), the risk of rupture being higher than those affecting the femoral or popliteal arteries. All patients underwent successful surgical treatment except for one who required amputation. The diagnosis of an aneurysm of the profunda femoris artery must be considered in all patients with a pulsatile swelling in the groin. Surgical treatment is mandatory, and it carries a low mortality as well as a low risk of amputation.     

Prospective optical coherence tomographic evaluation of the efficacy of oral and posterior subtenon corticosteroids in patients with intermediate uveitis

Purpose To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of oral corticosteroids and posterior subtenon injection in the treatment of macular edema in patients with intermediate uveitis using optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods Twenty-two patients with intermediate uveitis were treated with posterior subtenon injection when the disease was unilateral (group A, n=11) or with oral steroids when the disease was bilateral (group B, n=11). Changes in macular thickness from baseline was determined using OCT in both groups at day 0, day 3, day 14, 6 weeks and 12 weeks.Results Statistically significant improvement in Snellen visual acuity in group A was seen at 6 weeks and in group B at 2 weeks. In patients receiving oral corticosteroids, foveal thickness decreased by 63% by day 3. In those treated with posterior subtenon injection, even at day 14 only a 55% reduction of foveal thickness was evident. Spearman’s correlation coefficient for visual acuity and foveal thickness was found to be significant.Conclusion OCT confirms a significantly more rapid decrease in macular edema in patients treated with oral corticosteroids. A short course of oral steroids may be useful in enabling earlier visual recovery in patients treated with posterior subtenon injection for unilateral uveitic macular edema.