Experience With Umbilical Vein for Femoropopliteal Reconstruction: Comparison With Other Materials

Abstract

We present two to five year patency rates of 59 femoropopliteal bypasses performed with stabilized human umbilical vein (SHUV). Strict adherence to precise technique is emphasized. Our overall patency rate calculated by the actuarial life table method was 54.5% at five years. Patients operated upon for limb salvage was 50% and in patients operated on for disabling claudication the rate was 65.6%. Properly utilized SHUV can provide patency rates in femoro popliteal bypass similar to those utilizing autologous saphenous vein and better than polytetrafluoroethylene, Dacron, and bovine heterograft when these are used for below knee anastomosis.