[Autologous vein vs. human umbilical vein for femoropopliteal bypass].

Below knee femoropopliteal bypass was performed with reversed saphenous vein in 81 cases and with modified human umbilical vein in 74. The two groups were comparable as regards indications, coexisting disease and distal run-off. The cumulated patency rates were almost identical in the two groups, but early mortality and wound complications were higher in the saphenous vein group. Aneurysm formation in the umbilical veins was not a problem in this series. It is concluded that human umbilical vein is a very satisfactory bypass alternative when the saphenous vein is not available. In selected cases it may also be justifiable to use it in order to keep operation time and trauma at a minimum.