Short vein bypasses and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty have evolved as possible treatment options for patients
with crural arterial lesions. In this retrospective study a comparison was made between the results of management of 24
patients who were subjected to short vein bypasses (groupI) and those of 19 patients (22 limbs) who were subjected to
percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (group II). In group (I) patients (short bypasses) the one month limb salvage rate was 87.5%, the six months limb salvage rate was 78.2% and the one year limb salvage rate was 68.2%. In group (II) patients (balloon angioplasty without stenting), the one month limb salvage rate was 72.7% and the 6 months limb salvage rate was 50%. These results denote that the long-term patency rates of short vein bypasses are superior to those of balloon angioplasty, consequently short vein bypass can be considered the procedure of choice for good risk patients. High risk patients and patients without usable veins can benefit from balloon angioplasty.