Isolated femoral profundoplasty using endarterectomised superficial femoral artery for limb salvage in the elderly.

BACKGROUND

The deep femoral artery provides the primary blood supply to the thigh, and in addition serves as the major collateral channel for bypassing the obstructed superficial femoral artery. The purpose of isolated profundoplasty is to relieve a significant stenosis and improve perfusion of the ischaemic leg.

METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with critical limb ischaemia underwent isolated profundoplasty in the Vascular Unit of Meir General Hospital, using endarterectomised superficial femoral artery (ESFA) as an arterial patch. Nineteen patients were men. The average age was 72 (65-79). The presenting symptoms: rest pain: 18 (67%), ischaemic foot ulcer: 7 (28%), pedal gangrene: 2 (7%). Selection criteria for isolated profundoplasty: 1) > 50%: stenosis of arteria profunda femoris lumen. 2) Adequate profunda: popliteal collateral system. 3) Adequate arterial inflow: common femoral artery.

RESULTS

There was no operative mortality or immediate operative failure. All 27 limbs were improved: relief of rest pain, healing of ischaemic ulcers and good healing after minor amputations (transphalangeal, transmetatarsal). Follow-up period ranged from 12 to 45 months (mean 30 months) and was based on clinical investigation + ankle/brachial Doppler measurements. All patients remained asymptomatic with improvement of limb function--either to the present or until their death.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of our favourable experience, we feel that isolated profundoplasty still has a place in vascular surgery practice--when limb revascularization in elderly patients considered at high risk is dangerous and when there is impossible below knee vascular reconstruction. We recommend the use of ESFA as a patch for long segment profundoplasty--with all advantages of an autogenous material.