The use of autologous venous grafts in the peripheral arterial system.

Abstract

The reconstruction of vital peripheral arteries continues to be an important problem to vascular and general surgeons. The more important indications for restitution of major arterial blood flow include the management of acute arterial injury and the sequelae of injury, such as traumatic aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas. The increasing age of the general population has resulted in a larger number of patients who require surgical intervention for complications due to atherosclerosis of major arteries. The insertion of a graft may be necessary to bypass an obstructed arterial segment or to maintain arterial continuity in the treatment of an arteriosclerotic aneurysm. Finally, the insertion of a blood vessel graft is essential in the local excision of primary or metastatic tumors of the extremities and the neck which involve vital arteries. The present paper is a report of 21 autologous venous grafts introduced into the peripheral arterial circulation. We have defined peripheral