The autogenous vein graft as popliteal artery substitute. Long-term follow-up of cystic adventitial degeneration.

In three patients operated on for intermittent claudication in 1953, 1954 and 1956, respectively, the pathology causing the obstruction was localized cystic adventitial degeneration of the popliteal artery. On examination 27 to 30 years postoperatively the grafts were all patient, but showed some widening and irregularity. The vein grafts had thus stood a rather long test of time. There were no signs of relapse of the non-atherosclerotic disease of the femoro-popliteal artery. None of the patients had any history of knee injury or joint swelling.