Surgical Bypass

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ALSO CALLED:  (LEG) – Lower Extremity Bypass, Leg Bypass, Fem-Pop Bypass, Fem-Tib Bypass, or Fem-Distal Bypass. (ABDOMEN) – Aortic Bypass, Aortoiliac Bypass, Aorto-Femoral Bypass, Fem-Fem Bypass, Aortomesenteric Bypass, or Ax-Fem Bypass

What is it?

IN THE LEG, also called lower extremity bypass, leg bypass, fem-pop bypass, fem-tib bypass, fem-distal bypass.

IN THE ABDOMEN, also called aortic bypass, aorto-iliac bypass, aorto-femoral bypass, fem-fem bypass, aorto-mesenteric, and ax-fem bypass, depending on which blood vessel is being bypassed.

With the help of a natural or synthetic graft, a surgical bypass routes blood flow around an area of blockage caused by  peripheral arterial disease (PAD).  The surgery does not cure the disease or remove the blockage. Think of a surgical bypass as a road detour.

A surgical bypass may help you if you have PAD and have symptoms such as leg muscle pain while walking (claudication); pain at night, especially in the feet (rest pain); feet and leg sores that won’t heal; and dead tissue (gangrene).

Usually, other therapy is tried first, such as medication, exercise, smoking cessation and wound care. If these fail and alternative treatment such as a balloon angioplasty and stenting is not suitable, then tests may be performed to assess the possibilities of a surgical bypass.

How long it lasts varies
The lifespan of a surgical bypass depends on the health of your arteries, the type of graft used (natural vein grafts last longer than synthetic ones) and other health factors, such as whether you smoke, or have diabetes or kidney failure.

Risks

How to prepare

When you agree to surgery…

•  If you smoke, stop as soon as possible to lessen the chance of many of the complications.

•  If you have a heart doctor (cardiologist), your vascular surgeon may want you to get her/his okay.

•  You may need blood tests, an EKG, special x-rays or a heart stress test.

Days before…

•  Follow your normal routine and get plenty of sleep.

•  Carefully follow instructions about medications the day before and day of surgery.

•  You may need to fast (no food or drink) beginning at midnight the day of surgery.

What Can I Expect After Treatment?

•  You will be in the hospital for 2-5 days for monitoring and recuperation, perhaps 7 days if you had an aortic bypass.  The bowels often go to sleep for several days, so food is re-introduced gradually.

* You’ll have incision pain/discomfort for several days/weeks, treated with pain medication.  Typically, there is swelling and sometimes drainage.

* Sometimes, patients will go to a rehab facility for a few days after leaving the hospital to regain strength.

•  When you go home, it is wise (and sometimes required by your vascular surgeon) to have someone stay with you for a few days.  Most patients will take a few weeks off from work.

* You will be able to ride in a car and walk up steps, but you will need time to recuperate before driving or doing heavy work – how long depends on your condition and type of bypass.

* You may lose your appetite for a while and lose some weight.

* Often, there is swelling of the leg or abdomen, and numbness around or drainage from the incision.  You’ll get instructions on how to treat these symptoms.

* Muscle pain with walking should improve/resolve and wounds should heal.

•  Ask your vascular surgeon what else you can expect and how to aid your recovery.

•  Arrange follow-up visits with your vascular surgeon for the ultrasound tests to monitor the bypass graft.

•  Occasionally, additional procedures are needed to keep the bypass functioning properly.

The information contained on www.ntxvascular.com is sourced from the Society for Vascular Surgery at www.vascular.org. It is purely informational, and is not intended, nor should it be relied upon, as a substitute for the advice or treatment of a trained medical professional. Individuals with specific medical problems or questions must consult with their doctor or other health care professional.