Arterial reconstruction in diabetes and peripheral arterial occlusive disease: results in 192 patients

Objective: In the present study long-term patency and limb-salvage rates of femoro-distal bypasses were compared for patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Methods: Between 1990 and 1994, some 192 femoro-crural bypass procedures were performed; 132 reconstructions were carried out on patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), 60 bypasses on patients with PAOD and diabetes mellitus (DM). The two groups did nor differ significantly regarding age, gender and risk pattern. Results: The comparison of the two groups showed a significant advantage for the diabetic patients regarding the limb-salvage rate. In both groups there was also a significant difference regarding patency in favour of the diabetics. Conclusion: Patients suffering from diabetes and PAOD profit from femoro-distal bypasses. An aggressive vasosurgical reconstructive therapy is indicated for these patients.