Wound complications after in situ bypass

In situ saphenous vein bypass presents unique problems in wound management. A retrospective analysis of wound complications occurring after in situ bypass was undertaken in 93 patients who had 98 operations. For purposes of statistical analysis, only the first procedure was considered in patients having bilateral bypass. Fifty-nine percent of patients were male, the average age was 69 years. Medical risk factors surveyed included diabetes (64%), hypertension (52%), and smoking (53%). Ninety-one percent of the procedures were done for limb salvage; the mean ankle-brachial index was 0.43. Sixty percent of bypasses were infrapopliteal, and the mean duration of surgery was 4.6 hours. Continuous incision was used to expose the vein in 59% of cases. Skin closure was effected with staples in 44% and with sutures or both in the remainder. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 27 days. Wound problems developed in 31 cases; 11 of which were major. The thigh was the most common location. There was a significant association between continuous incision and anterior tibial bypass and wound complications. Anterior tibial bypass and staple closure were found to be independent predictors of wound problems with the use of stepwise logistic regression. Postoperative hospital stay was significantly prolonged; two bypasses failed and three lower extremities were amputated because of incisional complications. A discussion of the technical aspects of wound management is presented.