Femoro - Popliteal Bypass Surgery Treatment

What is Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery?

Femoral popliteal (Fem-Pop or femoropopliteal) is bypass surgery used for treating blocked femoral artery. The femoral artery is the largest artery present in the thigh. The femoral artery provides oxygen-rich blood to an individual’s leg. The blockage in the femoral artery is due to the buildup of plaque or atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis in the leg arteries results in the peripheral vascular disease. The same procedure can result in heat stroke and disease.

Getting Ready for Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery:

• The healthcare provider will explain the patients the procedure and he/she can ask questions related to the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery.
• The patient’s health provider will review the patient’s medical history and perform a physical exam to be sure the patients are in good health before they have the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery. The patients may also have to take blood tests and other diagnostic tests.
• The healthcare provider may suggest taking an aspirin before the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery.
• The patients will be asked to fast for 8 hours before the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery. This means the patients will not drinking, eating, or taking any oral medicines after midnight.
• If the patients are pregnant or think they could be, they must tell their healthcare provider.
• The patient must tell their healthcare provider if they are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines, iodine, tape, contrast dyes, anesthesia or latex.
• The patients must tell their healthcare provider of all medicines and herbal supplements that the patients are undertaking.
• The patients must tell their healthcare provider if they have a history of bleeding disorders or if the patients are undertaking any aspirin, blood-thinning medicines, or other medicines that can affect the blood clotting. The patients may be asked to stop taking these medicines before the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery.
• If the patients are a smoker, they must stop smoking as soon as possible before the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery. This will help them recovery and their overall health.
• The patients might be given a sedative before the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery for helping them to relax.

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Need for Femoro - Popliteal Bypass Surgery

The patients may require a femoral popliteal bypass surgery for:

• Lifestyle changes and medicines that have not improved the symptoms, or symptoms have gotten worse with the time
• Leg pain that interferes with the daily life or ability to work
• Nonhealing wounds
• Gangrene or infection
• Leg pain when resting
• The danger of losing the limb due to the decrement in the blood flow

There may be some other reasons for the healthcare provider for suggesting femoral popliteal bypass surgery.

Symptoms leading to Peripheral Artery Bypass Surgery

Femoro-Popliteal Bypass surgery is mostly done to treat peripheral artery disease or blockages in the arteries that support circulation in the lower leg – femoral and popliteal arteries. Symptoms that may lead to this surgery include:

• Claudication: Pain, Cramping or Fatigue
• Rest Pain
• Non-Healing Wounds
• Gangrene: Tissue Death
• Cool or Pale Skin
• Weak or Absent Pulses
• Mobility Limitations

Risks for Femoral - Popliteal Bypass Surgery:

There are always certain risks involved with any surgical process.

Some possible complications may include, but these are not limited to the following:

• Heart attack
• Irregular heartbeat
• Haemorrhage
• Wound infection
• Swelling on the leg
• Clot in leg
• Fluid in lungs
• Nerve injury
• Blockage in the surgical graft

Causes leading to Peripheral Artery Bypass Surgery

This operation is carried out because of peripheral artery disease, which causes the blocking or narrowing of arteries providing blood supply to the lower extremities. The primary causes leading to the need for this surgery include:

• Atherosclerosis
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Smoking
• High Cholesterol
• Age
• Family History of Heart Disease or Vascular Conditions
• Obesity
• Trauma or Injury
• Inflammatory Diseases

Facilities and Services offered for International Patients for Femoral Popliteal Treatment

The extra services provided to international patients who are undertaking Femoro-Popliteal Bypass Surgery include extensive support throughout the treatment process from evaluation phase to the post-surgery rehabilitation. These services are provided by different medical centres and hospitals all around the globe and services are redesigned to accept patient from other countries.

• Pre-Surgery Consultation and Assessment
• Medical Visa Assistance
• Airport Pickup and Transportation
• Accommodation
• Language Support
• Comprehensive Treatment Packages
• Post-Surgery Care and Follow-up
• Medical Tourism Assistance

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Getting Ready for Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery:

• The healthcare provider will explain the patients the procedure and he/she can ask questions related to the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery.
• The patient’s health provider will review the patient’s medical history and perform a physical exam to be sure the patients are in good health before they have the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery. The patients may also have to take blood tests and other diagnostic tests.
• The healthcare provider may suggest taking an aspirin before the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery.
• The patients will be asked to fast for 8 hours before the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery. This means the patients will not drinking, eating, or taking any oral medicines after midnight.
• If the patients are pregnant or think they could be, they must tell their healthcare provider.
• The patient must tell their healthcare provider if they are sensitive to or are allergic to any medicines, iodine, tape, contrast dyes, anaesthesia or latex.
• The patients must tell their healthcare provider of all medicines and herbal supplements that the patients are undertaking.
• The patients must tell their healthcare provider if they have a history of bleeding disorders or if the patients are undertaking any aspirin, blood-thinning medicines, or other medicines that can affect the blood clotting. The patients may be asked to stop taking these medicines before the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery.
• If the patients are a smoker, they must stop smoking as soon as possible before the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery. This will help them recovery and their overall health.
• The patients might be given a sedative before the Femoro- Popliteal Bypass Surgery for helping them to relax.

Diagnostic Tests for Femoral Popliteal Treatment

Prior to Femoro-Popliteal Bypass Surgery, several tests are performed to determine the extent of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and the condition of the femoral and popliteal arteries These tests help doctors decide if surgery is necessary and optimal surgery is planned. Basic diagnostic tests include:

• Ankle-Brachial Index
• Doppler Ultrasound
• Angiography
• CT Angiography
• Magnetic Resonance Angiography
• CT Scan
• MRI
• Blood Tests
• Peripheral Artery Disease Screening
• Functional Tests

Procedure for Femoro - Popliteal Bypass Surgery:

Usually, femoral popliteal bypass surgery follows the following process:

• The patients will be required to remove any jewelry or other objects that may cause any interference with the procedure.
• The patients will be required to remove the clothing and will put on a hospital gown.
• An intravenous (IV) line will be started in the patient’s collarbone area, arm, or hand. More catheters may be put in the patient’s wrist and neck to monitor the patient’s blood pressure and heart, and for getting the blood samples.
• The patients will lie on their back on the operating table.
• If there is too much hair at the surgical area, it must be shaved off.
• The anaesthesiologist will monitor the patient’s blood pressure, breathing, heart rate, and blood oxygen level during the operation. The patients will be connected to heart monitors who will record the electrical activity of the patient’s heart during the surgery.
• Femoral popliteal bypass surgery may be performed under local anaesthesia. The patient will not feel the surgical site. The patients will get medicine in their IV for helping them relax before the surgery. But the patients likely stay awake but may feel sleepy, during the operation.
• Under the local anaesthesia, the patients will get oxygen through a tube that will fit in their nose.
• Femoral popliteal bypass surgery may also be performed under general anaesthesia. The patients will be asleep. Once the patients are sedated, the patient’s provider will put a breathing tube through their throat into the lungs. The patients will be connected to a ventilator. The ventilator will breathe for the patients during the procedure.
• A catheter will be inserted into the patient’s bladder for draining the urine.
• The patients will be given antibiotics through their IV for helping them to prevent infection.
• The skin over the surgical area will be cleaned properly.
• The surgeon will make a cut in the leg. The area of the cut will largely depend on the section of the arteries which are to be bypassed. The surgeon will determine whether to use a vein from the leg or a man-made graft for bypassing the diseased artery.
• Once the surgeon has attached the graft onto the diseased artery, a type of X-ray called an arteriogram may be performed to make sure that the blood flow has been restored to the patient’s leg through the new bypass graft that has been attached.
• The patients may get blood pressure medicine through their IV during and after the surgery for keeping their blood pressure within a certain range.
• The cut will be closed. A sterile bandage or dressing will be applied on the incision.

Post-Treatment Process of Femoral Popliteal Bypass Surgery

Post-procedure management after Femoro-Popliteal Bypass Surgery is essential to optimize healing, restore blood flow to the affected leg, and reduce the risk of complications. While the treatment depend on the patient's overall health, the success of the surgery, and the quality of follow-up. The post-surgical care guidelines are:

• Immediate Post-Operative Care
• Hospital Discharge
• Wound Care
• Medications
• Physical Activity and Mobility
• Follow-up Appointments
• Lifestyle Changes
• Long-Term Care

Recovery at Home after Femoro - Popliteal Bypass Surgery

• Once the patients are at home, it will be important for them to keep the surgical site dry and clean. 
• The patient’s provider will tell them how to bathe. 
• The patients may be told to avoid any strenuous activities. 
• The patient’s provider will tell them when they can return to their day to day and normal activities. 
• The patient’s provider may want the patients to keep taking blood-thinning medicine even after the surgery. 
• The patient’s provider may perform an ultrasound on the leg after the procedure for checking the new graft.

Success Rate of Fem Pop Bypass Surgery

Femoro-popliteal bypass surgery has a high initial success rate, typically 85-95%, with a long-term success rate of 60-75% after five years Success is influenced by a variety of factors, including patient health, type of graft utilization, and adherence to postoperative care. Patients who follow recommended lifestyle changes and manage underlying conditions such as diabetes and hypertension have better long-term results.

Best Hospitals for Fem Pop Bypass Surgery

• Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
• Medanta The Medicity, Gurgaon
• Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
• Max Hospital, Saket
• BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi

Best Doctors for Fem Pop Bypass Surgery

• Dr. Sushant Srivastava
• Dr. Rajiv Parakh
• Dr. Himanshu Verma
• Dr. (Col) Kumud Rai
• Dr. Ramji Mehrotra

Why Choose GetWellGo for Femoro Popliteal Bypass Surgery?

Choosing GetWellGo for Femoro-Popliteal Bypass Surgery offers many benefits that can enhance the overall experience and success of the surgery, especially for international patients seeking a higher level of care. Here are several key reasons why international patients may choose a reputable healthcare provider like GetWellGo for this type of surgery:

• Expertise and Specialized Care
• Comprehensive International Patient Services
• Advanced Diagnostic and Imaging Technologies
• High Success Rate
• Post-Operative Care and Follow-up
• Cost-Effective Options
• Post-Surgery Support
• Travel and Accommodation
• Language Support
• Visa Assistance

Conclusion

Femoro-Popliteal Bypass Surgery is a very effective treatment for severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) when other treatments have not been helpful. Rerouting blood flow through part of a blocked femoral and popliteal artery is pulled using a bypass graft to pass blood flow to the affected leg. Generally speaking, the procedure is highly successful and results in immediate improvement in blood flow and dramatic reduction in symptoms such as leg pain and rest pain. 

FAQ

1. What are the benefits of femoro-polpitleal bypass surgery?

• Improved Blood Flow: Surgery relieves pain, cramps and makes the leg more functional, restoring circulation to the harmed leg.
• Reduced Risk of Amputation: The surgery improves blood supply and makes the affected limb less likely to lose due to gangrene or severe ischemia.
• Enhanced Quality of Life: For many patients symptoms such as leg pain, fatigue and difficulty when walking are relieved and there is better mobility and a daily function.
• Long-Term Relief: The procedure is often lasting relief for the symptoms caused by PAD and can greatly improve the health and function of the leg.

2, How successful is Femoro-Popliteal Bypass Surgery?

• Immediate Success Rate: Most patients (around 85–95%) will enjoy improvements in blood flow within minutes of surgery.
• One-Year Success Rate: After one year, we probably have about 80-90% of patients in whom good graft function is maintained.
• Five-Year Success Rate: Overall bypass grafting has a five year patency rate of between 60-75% which means that around 60-75% of the grafts remain open and functional five years after surgery.
• Long-Term Outcome: Success depends on how healthy you are overall, what type of graft you receive and your lifestyle changes.

3. How long does it take to recover after having Femoro-Popliteal Bypass surgery?

• Hospital Stay: After surgery, most patients will remain in the hospital for 3 to 5 days for monitoring and initial recovery.
• Initial Recovery: Patients usually can begin walking with help in 24 hours and may not return to normal activity for several weeks.
• Full Recovery: Most patients begin to resume some normal activities within a few weeks and will usually fully recover in 4 to 6 weeks.
• Physical Therapy: Recovery may take somewhat longer for some patients who will require physical therapy to retrain strength and regain mobility.
• Follow-Up: Follow up visits is needed regularly to evaluate function of the graft and to watch for problems.

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