PTFE Prostheses in Leg Arteries Reconstruction

The authors report their experience of 67 consecutive patients submitted to reconstruction of the below-the-knee arteries by means of expanded PTFE (Gore-Tex) prostheses. Results in terms of patency and limb salvage are not of absolute value owing to the lack of selection of patients, most of whom were at very high risk. However, a lower performance in comparison to autologous vein graft was evident. A pathologic study of patent, occluded and infected grafts is presented: the high level of "biocompatibility" of such grafts is confirmed. A high incidence of infection both of patent and occluded grafts was a relevant feature of the casuistic.