Methods for improving the results of using a synthetic prosthesis in the popliteal-tibial segment in critical limb ischemia

Aim . Analysis of immediate and long-term results of using a synthetic prosthesis for femoral-distal-popliteal and tibial bypass grafting in patients with critical lower limb ischemia. Materials and Methods . Patients with symptoms of chronic arterial ischemia of the lower extremities in the stage of critical ischemia (n = 109) were operated at the university surgical clinic on the base of D.D. Pletnev City Clinical Hospital, Moscow, in the period from 2009 to 2017. All the patients underwent the operation of femoral-distal popliteal or femoral-tibial bypass grafting using a synthetic explant (PTFE). Shunting with a synthetic prosthesis was performed in 33 (30.3%) patients, and in 76 (69.7%) cases a combination of an explant with a section of autovein was used in the form of a combined shunt in 44 patients (40.4%) (synthetic prosthesis + autovein) or a patch- or cuff plasty of distal anastomosis in 32 patients (29.3 %). In 14 (12.8%) patients of both groups, the intervention was supplemented by intraoperative balloon angioplasty of the lower leg arteries. Long-term results were evaluated within the period up to 5 years after surgery. Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis was used for the calculation of results. Results . The cumulative 5-year patency of the synthetic prosthesis was 42.9%. However, use of the prosthesis in combination with the autovein section in the form of a combined shunt or plastic surgery of the distal anastomosis significantly improved the values of cumulative patency (54.5%) and limb retention (83.6%). Conclusions . The results obtained make it possible to recommend the use of a synthetic prosthesis in combination with an autovenous plastic surgery of a distal anastomosis or by combining a prosthesis with a small section of an autovein in the absence of a complete autovein. Regular monitoring of such shunts in the long-term period and timely follow-up interventions are necessary for improving long-term results.