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Axillo-Femoral Bypass

What Is Axillo-Femoral Bypass Surgery?

A blockage in the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the legs is often treated with axillo-femoral bypass surgery to restore the blood flow and save the limbs.  This procedure creates a new channel for the blood with an artificial plastic artery connecting the collarbone artery to the groin arteries.   

After administering general anesthesia, the surgeon makes one incision below the collarbone and another one on either side of the groin.  To make way for the artificial artery, the surgeon creates a tunnel under the skin and may make an extra incision on the bottom of the ribs.  After joining the arteries, the surgeon uses dissolving stitches to close the incisions.  Drainage tubes may be left in place to drain away excess fluids or blood.  Patients should be able to urinate within 6 to 12 hours of surgery.   

The dressing applied to the wounds is usually removed along with the tubes after 48 hours.  Symptomatic relief is likely to occur within approximately 24 hours.  The wounds may continue to be the source of pain for the first 4 days.  Patients typically leave the hospital 7 days after axillo-femoral bypass surgery.  Some bruising and swelling may be apparent for the first 2 to 3 days.  Any crusting on the wounds typically falls off after 7 to 10 days. Â