What is femoropopliteal bypass surgery?

Femoropopliteal Bypass Surgery

What is femoropopliteal bypass surgery?

A femoropopliteal (fem-pop) bypass is surgery to change the flow of your blood so it goes around narrowed or blocked blood vessels.

To do this surgery, your doctor will use something called a graft. The graft can be a vein taken from another place in your leg. Or it can be a human-made graft.

The doctor sews the graft onto your femoral and popliteal arteries. Then your blood goes through this new graft vessel instead of the narrowed or blocked one.

Why is femoropopliteal bypass surgery done?

Fem-pop bypass is for people who have narrowed or blocked femoral or popliteal arteries, which are arteries in the legs. Usually the blockage must be causing significant symptoms or be limb-threatening before bypass surgery is considered.

How is femoropopliteal bypass surgery done?

You may be asleep during the surgery. Or you may get medicine to numb your lower body and prevent pain.

The doctor will make a cut (incision) in your thigh. The doctor may make another cut in the inside of your calf just below the knee.

If one of your veins is being used for a graft, the doctor will make another cut in your leg to remove this vein.

The doctor then connects one end of the graft to the femoral artery in your thigh. The other end is connected to the popliteal artery above or below your knee.

After the graft is in place and the blood is flowing through it, the doctor will close the incisions with stitches or staples.

After femoropopliteal bypass: When to call

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You passed out (lost consciousness).
  • You have trouble breathing.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have sudden symptoms in your leg or foot such as severe pain, numbness, weakness, tingling, cool skin, or skin color changes. Your skin may be pale, bluish, or purplish.
  • You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
  • You have loose stitches, or your incisions come open.
  • You are bleeding a lot from the incisions.
  • You have signs of infection, such as:
    • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
    • Red streaks leading from the incision.
    • Pus draining from the incision.
    • A fever.
  • You are sick to your stomach or cannot keep fluids down.

Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • You do not get better as expected.

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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.

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