Axilla-femoral bypass
Axillo-femoral bypass is a surgical procedure that is used to bypass a section of the artery in the abdomen when it is blocking blood flow to the legs. Using a bypass tube or graft inserted under the skin, the surgeon connects the blood supply from the axillary artery of the arm to the femoral arteries in the groin, thus creating a new pathway for blood to flow from your heart to your legs. It is also referred to as axillobifemoral or axillofemoral bypass.
Axillofemoral bypass: What you need to know
- This type of bypass surgery may be recommended for people suffering from leg muscle cramps, having difficulty walking long distances and those developing gangrene from lack of proper blood flow.
- Prior to your surgery, your physician will use imaging to locate and assess the blockage and arteries.
- The procedure begins with several incisions near the shoulder and in both of your groins.
- After the flexible bypass graft connects the axillary artery in your arm with the femoral arteries in your legs, the blood flow will continue on its new path avoiding the problems that can be caused by the blockage.
- Your rate of recovery and the extent of the surgery will determine how long you will stay in the hospital. Most patients are monitored for several days to make sure the graft is working before they are released from the hospital.
Why choose UF Health Jacksonville?
We understand that when you need an operation, you want a surgeon with expertise. At UF Health Surgery Jacksonville, our University of Florida surgeons have years of experience in the operating room and a success rate among the highest in the nation.
As a part of a leading academic medical institution, our surgical team can also offer you the most advanced research-based treatments for the best possible outcomes.
