
922  Section XII  •  Vascular
STEP 2: PREOPERATIVE CONSIDERATIONS
◆  The standard indication for reconstruction for occlusive disease is limb-threatening isch-
emia. This includes ischemic rest pain, ulceration, and gangrene. There are certain accepted 
indications for bypass in the setting of severe claudication that prohibit gainful employment 
or maintenance of the activities of daily living.
◆  The femoropopliteal in situ bypass is one of many open reconstructive options available to 
the surgeon. In general, when the vein is to be used for limb salvage, it is customary to use 
the below-knee popliteal segment. The above-knee segment may seem like an appropriate 
target, but it is known to have a high rate of progression of disease. The in situ technique 
offers the advantage of allowing the larger part of the saphenous to be placed on the larger 
common femoral artery and the smaller section of vein to be placed on the smaller outfl ow 
artery. The alternatives to this include a femoropopliteal bypass with vein that is reversed 
and buried in an anatomic tunnel that follows the native superfi cial femoral and popliteal 
arteries. A prosthetic infrageniculate (below the knee) graft is reserved for the individual 
who has exhausted all autogenous (vein) options in the lower and upper extremities—
including the great and small (also known as the lesser or short) saphenous, as well as the 
basilic and cephalic veins. Last, with the endovascular revolution, many catheter-based op-
tions are available, including a percutaneous bypass with covered stent grafts, an atherec-
tomy, or laser treatment, to name a few.
◆  Preoperative venous duplex (a grayscale B-mode ultrasound and doppler waveform analysis) 
of the superfi cial veins is very helpful to determine the quality of the vein and to help 
choose an operative plan. If the ultrasound can be arranged close to the bypass surgery date, 
it is helpful to have the technician mark the course of the vein. Many operative suites have 
an ultrasound available, and the vein can be marked before the leg is prepped. This may 
help reduce the risk of a fl ap formation.
STEP 3: OPERATIVE STEPS
◆  The patient is placed in a supine position. For occlusive disease, it is a good rule to prepare 
more than is needed. In general, both lower extremities should be draped in case further 
vein is needed to complete a procedure. The fi rst incision is typically placed in the groin at 
the level of the inguinal ligament. The great saphenous vein is identifi ed fi rst at the fossa 
ovalis, below Scarpa’s fascia. The femoral sheath is then opened longitudinally to identify 
the femoral vessels. The common femoral artery, superfi cial femoral artery (SFA), and pro-
funda femoris artery (PFA) should be isolated. The saphenous vein can then be isolated 
either through a continuous incision that “unroofs” the entire vein or through a series of 
“skip” incisions, also known as bridge incisions. A continuous incision allows maximal 
visualization of all branches but can be associated with greater wound-healing and infection 
risks. The bridge technique can heal better but has limited viewing of the vein, which may 
result in either vein injury or inadequate ligation of all branches (see Figure 85-3). A third 
alternative is a hybrid between a traditional vein harvest and an in situ harvest—an endo-
scopic vein harvest. Some institutions may have a designated individual with extensive 
experience, such as a physician’s assistant who harvests for coronary artery bypass grafting. 
This technique offers many advantages. There is one incision in the lower thigh that can be 
used to harvest the vein to the saphenofemoral junction. The vein can then be placed in