What Is Femoral Popliteal Bypass Surgery?

 Femoral popliteal (also called femoropopliteal or Fem-Pop) bypass surgery is a procedure used to treat femoral artery disease. It is performed to bypass the blocked portion of main artery in the leg using a piece of another blood vessel.

Femoral popliteal bypass surgery: Conditions treated

Femoral popliteal bypass surgery is used to treat conditions that affect circulation. These may include:

• Claudication
• Peripheral vascular disease/peripheral arterial disease

Reasons to perform femoral popliteal surgery

The decision to undergo surgery can be frightening. It is important to have open communication with your doctor to understand your condition and the best ways to manage it. There are many reasons why your doctor may recommend femoral popliteal surgery. These include, but are not limited to:

• Medical management has not improved symptoms
• Disability- interference with quality of life/ ability to work
• Non-healing wounds, infection or gangrene
• Claudication or pain while at rest
• Danger of loss of limb due to decreased blood flow

Femoral popliteal bypass: What to expect?

The best way to determine if femoral popliteal bypass is right for you is to consult with your doctor. Learn more about popliteal bypass surgery and what to expect:

• Before popliteal bypass: Preparing for the procedure
• During popliteal bypass: Understanding the procedure
• After popliteal bypass: Recovery

Femoral popliteal bypass: Risks and rewards

There are risks involved with any surgical procedure. Your doctor will explain the risks, as well as the quality of life improvements associated with femoral popliteal bypass, so that you can make the decision that is best for you.

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

• Heart attack
• Irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia)
• Hemorrhage
• Wound infection
• Swelling on the leg (edema)
• Clot in leg (thrombosis)
• Fluid in lungs (pulmonary edema)
• Nerve injury
• Blockage in the surgical graft (occlusion)

It is important to address any questions, concerns, allergies or sensitivities to medications with your physician prior to surgery.