OBJECTIVETo report and evaluate the clinical results of surgical treatment for long-segment iliofemoral arteriosclerosis obliterans, including external iliac-popliteal (EIP) and femoral-deep femoral (FDF) crossover bypass surgeries.

METHODSFrom July 1995 to December 2009, 85 patients (61 male, 24 female, aged from 64 to 91 years, mean age 75 years) with comprehensive unilateral iliac-superficial femoral arteriosclerosis obliterans were involved in this research. According to Fontaine classification, the 85 patients could be graded as 62 class IIb-III patients (72.9%), and 23 class IV patients (27.1%). In CT angiography or DSA examinations, the 85 patients were grouped into EIP (n = 49) and FDF (n = 36) surgical groups on the basis of visualizations in the affected deep femoral, supra-knee/infra-knee popliteal arteries. The healing time of ulcers and toe amputation wound, ankle-brachial index, and blood flow velocity in the affected limb together with accumulative patency rates in 1, 3 and 5 years and limb salvage rates in 3 and 5 years were analyzed.

RESULTSNone of the 85 patients died or had extremity amputated in perioperatively. Seventy-four patients (87.1%) had been followed up from 2 to 13 years (mean 5.7 years). Postoperative ankle-brachial index of FDF and EIP groups was 0.55 ± 0.11, and 0.94 ± 0.13 (t = -21.88, P = 0.000). Postoperative velocity of popliteal artery blood flow in FDF and EIP groups was (32 ± 9) cm/s, and (48 ± 4) cm/s (t = 16.76, P = 0.000); velocity of anterior or posterior tibial artery was (22 ± 7) cm/s, and (42 ± 4) cm/s (t = 10.50, P = 0.000). The primary and secondary patency rates of FDF and EIP groups were 87.8% and 88.3%, 80.7% and 81.2%, 68.4% and 57.4% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Limb salvage rates of FDF and EIP groups were 87.6% and 88.6%, 76.7% and 71.3%, at 3 and 5 years, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in 1, 3, and 5 years' cumulative secondary patency rate and limb salvage rate between FDF and EIP groups.

CONCLUSIONSAs extra-anatomic bypass surgeries, FDF and EIP are both determined to be alternative procedures for unilateral common iliac-superficial femoral artery occlusive disease, especially suitable for high-risk patients. EIP group patients have better clinical outcomes than those in FDF group.