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Date issued: December 2023

Review date: December 2025

Ref: A-600/JW/Vascular/Femoro-femoral and Ileo-femoral Bypass Graft

PDF:  Femoro-femoral and Ileo-femoral Bypass Graft.pdf [pdf] 195KB

Why do I need the operation?

There is a blockage of the artery supplying your leg, which reduces the circulation of blood to your leg. The operation is to bypass the blocked artery in the leg so that the blood supply is improved.

The Operation

You will usually have two cuts, one in each groin or one in the lower part of your tummy and one in the groin. An artificial blood vessel (plastic graft) will be inserted to carry blood from the main artery going to your good leg to the main artery in your good leg, bypassing the blocked artery.

Don’t worry, the artery going to your good leg can easily supply both legs with blood. The wounds are often closed with a stitch under the skin or with clips that need to be removed.

After the operation

You will usually be taken to the high observation bay in the ward following your operation in order that your progress is closely monitored.

After your operation you will be given fluids by a drip in one of your veins until you are well enough to sit up and take fluids and food by mouth.

The nurses and doctors will try and keep you free of pain by giving pain killers.

Within a day or so, the drip, epidural and bladder catheter will be removed.

You will become gradually more mobile until you are fit enough to go home.

You may be visited by the physiotherapists after your operation. They will help you with your breathing to prevent you developing a chest infection and with your mobilisation to get you walking again.

Going home

If your stitches or clips are of the type that needs removing, we will arrange for your GP’s practice or district nurse to remove them and check your wound.

You may feel tired for some weeks after the operation but this should gradually improve as time goes by.

Regular exercise such as a short walk combined with rest is recommended for the first few weeks following surgery followed by a gradual return to your normal activity.

Driving: You will be safe to drive when you are able to perform an emergency stop. This will normally be 2-4 weeks after surgery, but if in doubt, check with your own doctor.

Bathing: Once your wound is dry you may bathe or shower as normal.

Work: You should be able to return to work within 6-12 weeks of surgery. We will provide you with a sick note but if you need longer off work, please see your GP.

Medicines: You will usually be sent home on a small dose of aspirin if you were not already taking it. This is to make the blood less sticky. If you are unable to tolerate aspirin, an alternative drug may be prescribed.

Complications

Sometimes you may experience numbness or tingling around the groin wounds or lower down the legs afterwards. This is due to bruising or cutting of small nerves to the skin. It can be permanent, but usually gets better within a few months.

It is also common for your feet to swell due to improved blood supply. Elevation of the legs when sitting helps the fluid to disperse.

As with any major operation, there is a very small risk of you having a medical complication such as a heart attack, but the doctors and nurses will try to prevent these complications and to deal with them rapidly if they occur.

Who to contact If I have any concerns?

Less than 24 hours post discharge:

Call 01752 202082 and ask for the ward you were discharged from.

After 24 hours post discharge-

Urgent Medical Help: 111 or 999

Pain/ medication concerns: GP

Operation specific questions: Consultant’s Secretary or Vascular Specialist Nurse

Consultant Vascular Surgeon and Lead Clinician

Mr Devender Mittapalli

Secretary: 01752 431822

Consultant Vascular and Transplant Surgeon

Mr Jamie Barwell

Secretary: 01752 431822

Consultant Vascular Surgeon

Surgeon Commander Cris Parry RN

Secretary: 01752 431822

Consultant Vascular Surgeon

Miss Catherine Western

Secretary: 01752 431805

Consultant Vascular Surgeon

Lt Col Robert Faulconer

Secretary: 01752 431805

Consultant Vascular Surgeon

Mr Hashem Barakat

Secretary: 01752 431822

Vascular Nurse Specialist

Mr Alan Elstone

Miss Jess Webster

01752 431805

What can I do to help myself?

• Quit Smoking

• Lower Cholesterol

• Keep active

• Control blood sugar levels in diabetes

• Maintain a healthy diet

• Maintain a healthy blood pressure

The nurse looking after you will be able to give you information/resources for any of these that are relevant to you.