Arterial Grafting with Polytetrafluoroethylene in the Pelvic Region

Abstract
Since January 1977, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-Goretex has been used 82 times as aortoiliac substitute: 49 ilio-femoral, 17 ilio-profundal, 10 axillo-femoral, and 6 femoro-femoral cross-over bypasses were performed. In this group of patients 20% were diabetics, 85% were in a preoperative Stage III or IV according to Fontaine, with an average age of 66 years. Postoperative anticoagulation therapy was not used routinely. Each patient had noninva sive diagnostic procedures pre- and postoperatively (Figure 1).