RESULTS OF FEMOROPOPLITEAL AND FEMOROTIBIAL GREATER SAPHENOUS-VEIN INSITU BYPASS - LIFE TABLE ANALYSIS

Five-hundred-ninety-four nonselected "in situ" reconstructions were analysed retrospectively using the life table method. Especially after immediate occlusion cumulative patency is very unsatisfactory. After 5 years cumulative patency rate in these cases is 39.5% vs. 64.9% in all cases. Patency rates are influenced by the anastomotic site and the run-off quality. While statistically not significant, popliteal anastomoses perform a little better after 5 years than peripheral anastomoses (67% vs. 51% cumulative patency rate). The number of patent tibial arteries seems to be the most important determinant. In non-occluded run-off cases (three patent tibial vessels) the cumulative patency rate after 5 years is 82.2% vs. 56% in cases with only one patent tibial artery. The difference is statistically significant.