Femoropopliteal Bypass (Fem-Pop Bypass) for Peripheral Arterial Disease
Surgery Overview
Femoropopliteal (fem-pop) bypass surgery is used to bypass diseased blood vessels above or below the knee.
To bypass the narrowed or blocked blood vessel, blood is redirected through either a healthy blood vessel that has been transplanted or a man-made graft material. This vessel or graft is sewn above and below the diseased artery so that blood flows through the new vessel or graft.
Before you have surgery, the doctor will determine what type of material is best suited to bypass the blood vessel. Whenever possible, the surgeon will choose to use an existing piece of vein taken from the same leg. Man-made graft materials (such as polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE] or Dacron) are more likely to become narrowed again, but they are still effective.
The section of vein or man-made blood vessel graft is sewn onto both the femoral and popliteal arteries so that blood can travel through the new graft vessel and around the narrowed or blocked area.
General anesthesia or an injection in the spine (epidural) is used for this surgery. General anesthesia will cause you to sleep through the procedure. An epidural prevents pain in the lower part of the body.
What To Expect
You may stay in the hospital 2 to 4 days after surgery. You can likely begin sitting up and walking the first day after surgery.
You will have some pain from the cuts (incisions) the doctor made. This usually gets better after about 1 week. You can expect your leg to be swollen at first. This is a normal part of recovery and may last 2 to 3 months.
You will need to take it easy for at least 2 to 6 weeks at home. It may take 6 to 12 weeks to fully recover.
You will probably need to take at least 2 to 6 weeks off from work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.
You will need to have regular checkups with your doctor to make sure the graft is working.
Why It Is Done
Fem-pop bypass is for people who have narrowed or blocked femoral or popliteal arteries, which are near the surface of the legs. Usually the blockage must be causing significant symptoms or be limb-threatening before bypass surgery is considered.footnote 1, footnote 2
How Well It Works
Fem-pop bypass surgery can restore blood flow and relieve intermittent claudication.footnote 1, footnote 2
Risks
All surgeries carry a certain amount of risk. These risks include:
- Infection from the incision.
- Bleeding.
- Heart attack or stroke.
Specific risks for this bypass surgery include:
- Leg swelling.
- Failed or blocked grafts.
What To Think About
Your doctor may recommend that you try an exercise program and medicine before he or she recommends that you have this surgery.
References
Citations
- Gerhard-Herman MD, et al. (2016). 2016 AHA/ACC guideline on the management of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease. Circulation, published online November 13, 2016. DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000471. Accessed November 25, 2016.
- Conte MS, et al. (2015). Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines for atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities: Management of asymptomatic disease and claudication. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 61(3S): 2S–41S. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2014.12.009. Accessed November 25, 2016.
Other Works Consulted
- Conte MS, et al. (2015). Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines for atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities: Management of asymptomatic disease and claudication. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 61(3S): 2S–41S. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2014.12.009. Accessed November 25, 2016.
- Gerhard-Herman MD, et al. (2016). 2016 AHA/ACC guideline on the management of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease. Circulation , published online November 13, 2016. DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000471. Accessed November 25, 2016.
Credits
Current as of: April 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Rakesh K. Pai, MD – Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Martin J. Gabica, MD – Family Medicine & Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson, MD – Internal Medicine & David A. Szalay, MD – Vascular Surgery
Current as of: April 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Rakesh K. Pai, MD – Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Martin J. Gabica, MD – Family Medicine & Adam Husney, MD – Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson, MD – Internal Medicine & David A. Szalay, MD – Vascular Surgery
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