Lower extremity vascular bypass surgery

Lower limb bypass surgery is an operation performed to restore normal blood circulation in the legs. It involves creating a bypass for blood flow. To do this, a shunt, an artificial vessel, is placed above and below the affected area of ​​the artery or vein. It can be made from synthetic material or the patient’s own vascular tissue.

Bypass surgery helps relieve swelling and pain in the legs and prevents complications of vascular diseases.

At Oxford Medical, bypass surgery is performed by vascular surgeons of the highest category. Leading specialists have undergone internships and training from international experts. Their skill and the use of only high-quality alloprostheses ensure high efficiency and safety of surgical treatment.

Make an appointment with a doctor to learn more about the operation and receive individual recommendations.

Bypass surgery is performed in cases of severe circulatory disorders in the legs, if the problem cannot be solved with angioplasty or other minimally invasive techniques. Each case is evaluated individually by specialists.

In some cases, bypass surgery is combined with other endovascular or open vascular surgeries. For example, in case of multilevel atherosclerosis of the leg vessels bypass surgery is performed on the blocked area of ​​the artery and dilation (expansion) of the narrowed one and, if necessary, a stent is installed.

Before the operation, the patient is prescribed a comprehensive examination. Most often it includes:

• Dopplerography of the vessels of the lower extremities;

• CT angiography;

• Magnetic resonance imaging.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) and preoperative blood and urine tests are also performed.

A light diet may be recommended 1-2 days before the operation. If you are taking medications, you should consult a doctor - some medications are canceled a few days before the bypass.

The essence of the operation is to create a bypass for blood flow. To install the shunt, the surgeon makes two small incisions above and below the affected area of ​​the vessel. They can be located on the leg, in the groin or lower abdomen. This depends on the localization of the pathological process.

Having made the incisions, the surgeon installs clamps. After that, he fixes the shunt on the upper part of the vessel and passes it between the muscles and tendons to the place of the second incision. There he connects it to the healthy part of the vessel. After that, he removes the clamps and checks how the blood flow is. Then he sews up the incisions and applies sterile dressings.

Most often, shunting is performed under general anesthesia, but in the presence of contraindications, local anesthesia is sometimes used.

Depending on the complexity, the operation can last from 1 to 4 hours.

Depending on the location of the shunt, the following types of bypass are distinguished:

• aortofemoral;
• femoral-popliteal;
• transverse femoral-femoral;
• iliac-femoral;
• popliteal-foot;
• axillary-femoral.

Which type of operation will be the most effective depends on the type and stage of the disease. To determine this, the patient undergoes a comprehensive examination.

During the first day after the operation, the patient is prescribed bed rest. On the 2nd day, they are allowed to get up and walk around the ward for a short time.

The duration of hospitalization is determined individually, but on average it is 3 days. It all depends on the type of operation and the patient's well-being.

During the rehabilitation period, it is recommended to:

• monitor the dryness and sterility of the bandages, do not remove them yourself;
• take medications prescribed by the doctor (anticoagulants are prescribed to prevent thrombosis and other medications according to indications);
• while lying down, keep your legs slightly elevated;
• wear compression hosiery (as prescribed by the doctor);
• avoid heavy physical exertion, visiting the pool, bathhouse or sauna, do not take a hot bath;
• refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages

In the future, to maintain vascular health, you should follow a proper diet, take daily walks and perform physical exercises (the type and intensity of exercise should be agreed with your doctor).

It is recommended to undergo vascular Dopplerography and an examination by a phlebologist every 3-6 months.

There are many reasons for the development of vascular diseases.

The most common are:

• genetic predisposition;
• metabolic disorders;
• elevated blood cholesterol levels;
• increased blood clotting;
• diabetes;
• obesity;
• unbalanced diet;
• smoking and alcohol abuse;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• age-related changes;
• frequent stress, etc.

Lower limb bypass surgery is usually performed for stenosis, varicose veins, or other pathologies that lead to circulatory disorders. If the operation is not performed on time, the disease will progress and may lead to complications such as:

• swelling, leg pain, increased fatigue;
• venous insufficiency;
• blood clot formation and blockage of blood vessels;
• heart attack, stroke.

If there are indications, vascular surgeons recommend not to refuse the operation and not to postpone it. The earlier the bypass is performed, the higher the chance of avoiding complications and getting rid of pain and other unpleasant symptoms faster.

The cost of bypass surgery may vary depending on the type and complexity of the operation. You can find out the prices for surgical treatment at «Oxford Medical» here. Only a surgeon can provide more accurate information on the price of bypass surgery after an examination and diagnosis.

«Oxford Medical» is a modern medical center with a high-tech surgery department. Our main goal is to provide patients with effective treatment using the latest innovations in the field of surgery. For this purpose, expert-class diagnostic and surgical equipment from manufacturers such as Philips, Siemens, Nihon, Hamilton Medical, B. Braun, Olympus and others has been installed, and a team of qualified and experienced doctors has been assembled.

Make an appointment with a vascular surgeon in Kyiv by calling the number provided on the website or using the online application form.