Background: In this study, the long-term results of the infrapopliteal arterial revascularization were documented and also the importance of bypass surgery for saving the lower extremity was examined.

Methods: Seventy two patients who underwent the infrapopliteal surgery for saving the lower extremity between 1991 and 2001 were examined retrospectively. According to Fontaine classification forty eight of these patients were at the third class, and twenty four of them were at the fourth class. To determine the long-term patency and the last position of the extremity, we used color doppler ultrasound, angiographic technics and physical examination.

Results: The patients were followed for 21.3 ± 15.9 months (range 1 to 60 months). The cumulative patency of grafts was 42%, the average limb salvage rate was 51% during the following period. By using the techniques of saphenous vein grafting, there was no difference between the patency of reverse and in situ techniques (p > 0.05), but we found that the patency of translocated technique was very low (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The infrapopliteal artery bypass operations are very useful, because the long-term results are very well and the limb salvage rate is very high. Prefering this bypass surgery for the patients who are chosen extraoptinacily will increase the quality of life.

Keywords : Infrapopliteal bypass, limb salvage, in situ, tibial artery