{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.04653515427415276, 'fraction_numerical': 0.032878098128477494, 'mean_word_length': 4.667621776504298, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 1, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
The role of infragenicular spliced vein bypass surgery in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia; single centre long-term results.

BACKGROUND
In patients requiring infrageniculate surgical revascularization a single-segment great saphenous vein (SS-GSV) is the optimal conduit. In the absence of a SS-GSV, the small saphenous vein and arm veins can also be used to obtain an all-autologous bypass. The aim of this study was to compare the long- term results of infrageniculate SS-GSV bypasses and spliced vein bypasses in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).


METHODS
A total of 308 consecutive CLTI patients who underwent a primary infragenicular, autologous bypass between January 2000 and December 2016 were included. The definition of a spliced vein bypass was a graft consisting of at least two venous segments.


RESULTS
A SS-GSV graft was used in 235 patients, and a spliced vein graft was used in 73 patients. Significantly more infrapopliteal bypasses were performed in the spliced vein group (p = 0.024), and in this group the mean operation time was almost 60 minutes longer (p < 0.001). The overall morbidity rate was 44%. The overall 30-day mortality was 3.2%, and overall in-hospital mortality was 4.9%. No significant differences were observed between the groups in mortality, overall morbidity or any specific complication. Comparing the SS-GSV group with the spliced vein group, no significant differences were observed between overall survival (53.2% vs. 45.7%), primary patency (55.5% vs. 53.2%), assisted primary patency (78.5% vs. 76.5%), secondary patency (87.9% vs. 90.6%) and limb salvage (83.3% vs. 82.0%).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of infrageniculate spliced vein bypasses for the treatment of CLTI patients results in similar results compared with infrageniculate SS-GSV bypass grafts. A strict surveillance protocol in the first 2 years and a liberal reintervention strategy may result in excellent long-term patency rates.