Femoro-Femoral Bypass

What Is Femoro-femoral Bypass Surgery?

Femoro-femoral bypass surgery (aka femorofemoral bypass surgery) diverts blood flow around femoral artery blockages near the naval, enabling proper circulation to the legs.  Using a vascular graft, surgeons bypass the blocked artery, reducing pain and the risk of infection or the need for amputation. 

Doctors use general anesthesia to put patients to sleep for the duration of the femoro-femoral bypass.  Sometimes epidurals are required to help numb the lower extremities.  Once the surgeon cuts into the groin and thigh area, he or she stitches a graft to the artery, connecting the healthy, unblocked sections.  Patients generally remain in the hospital for 5 to 7 days after the surgery and can expect pain and discomfort from the surgical wounds after the general anesthesia wears off.  The day after femoro-femoral bypass, patients can usually walk around for short periods of time, gradually increasing in duration over the next couple of days.  By the fourth day, most of the pain should subside. 

Bruising, slight skin discoloration, and swelling around the entry site is normal and generally fades in the first 2 or 3 days.  Doctors recommend keeping the wounds dry for up to 2 weeks after the surgery, leaving enough time for stitches to come out.  After about 2 months, patients are usually able to return to normal activity levels.