EARLY RESULTS OF POPLITEO-CRURAL BYPASSES iN EXTREMITY SALVAGE

In case of involvement of the infrapopliteal arteries with atherosclerosis, the extremity might be stili at high risk, even inflow is sufficient at the popliteal !eve!. Such involvement is frequently encountered in the diabetic group. in the present study, early results of infrapopliteal vascular procedures are discussed. From January 1997 ta January 2002, 26 patients with stage iV critical extremity ischemia were admitted at the Peripheral Vascular Unit at the Medical Faculty of lstanbul. Extremity salvage rate and postoperative mortality rate was assessed in vascular procedures with an inflow of popliteal artery at the above-knee and below-knee level. Two cases (% 7.5) are lost at the postoperative period. Major amputation was performed in 5 cases and the extremity salvage rate was % 79.

lnfrapopliteal vascular procedures results in satisfactory extremity salvage rate and higher life quality in selected cases when compared to primary amputation.