Methods: Between January 1994 and December 2014, popliteal artery entrapment syndrome was diagnosed in a total of 23 limbs of 21 patients (17 males, 4 females; mean age 26.14 years; range 17 to 35 years). All patients underwent surgical decompression of the popliteal artery. Interposition vein graft from the saphenous vein was performed on the patients with type 1 and 2 popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. Interpositional vein grafting after musculotendinous resection of the medial head of gastrocnemius muscle was carried out in the patients with type 3, 4, and 6 popliteal artery entrapment syndrome.

Results: The mean follow-up was 120.5±59.0 (range, 38 to 218) months. Re-exploration was required in two limbs. Overall primary graft patency rates at one and five years were 91.3% and 82.6%, respectively. Initially, the vast majority of the patients were admitted to cardiovascular surgery outpatient clinics; however, eight patients applied to the other outpatient clinics and were subsequently consulted.

Conclusion: Early and accurate diagnosis should be settled for the patients with popliteal artery entrapment syndrome to ensure an appropriate management as soon as possible. Therefore, the referral of the patients with lower extremity claudication to various outpatient clinics from different specialties should alert the treating physician for popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, even in unusual presentations.