Revascularization of the distal portion of the deep femoral artery. Indications and results

Most of the times, the distal part of the deep femoral artery is not affected by atheromatous disease. It constitutes an acceptable alternative, whenever the femoral bifurcation is not usable for bypass. This artery is readily approached directly, at a point removed from Scarpa's fascia. We used this technique on 60 patients. Indications included: multiple reoperations (45 cases, 75%), infection of Scarpa's fascia (2 cases, 3%), calcified or thrombosed femoral bifurcation (13 cases, 22%). Lim salvage for decubital pain, grade-IV or acute ischemic disease involved 49 cases (82%). After a mean 28.5 month follow-up period, arterial permeability was 74% and 53% after one year and 5 years, respectively. These results are compared with literature data. Long-term permeability is related to two factors: proximal bypass implantation site and the state of the popliteal reentry and arterial network of the leg. Utilization of the distal segment of the deep femoral artery via an elective approach is interesting of the deep femoral artery via an elective approach is interesting and sensible, whenever the femoral bifurcation is unusable owing to progressive atheromatous disease, repeated surgery or infection.