Is Axillo-bilateral Femoral Graft an Effective Substitute for Aortic-bilateral lliac/Femoral Graft?

Abstract

During the past ten years, 88 aorto-bilateral iliac/femoral grafts and 56 axillo-bilateral femoral grafts were electively performed for occlusive disease of the abdominal aorta or iliac vessels. The results of this retrospective study indicate that the axillo-bilateral femoral graft, although performed in an older population and more frequently for limb salvage, has a lower operative mortality than does conventional aortic bypass surgery with similar patency (76%) and survival (67%) at five years. However, axillo femoral grafting requires more frequent remedial surgery to obtain long term patency.