Surgical Bypass
While you may be familiar with coronary artery bypass surgery, which creates a new route for blood flow around narrowed or blocked arteries in the heart, vascular surgeons also use similar surgical bypass techniques to treat clogged arteries in the leg or lower extremities.
What Is Surgical Bypass?
Arteries help transport oxygen-rich blood away from the heart and to the rest of the body. They are thicker and more elastic muscular tubes than other blood vessels (veins and capillaries), enabling them to function under high pressure and accommodate the blood that travels through them.
Health issues may arise from stiffening or thickening of the arteries due to various problems, ranging from advanced age, poor diet and sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, smoking or genetic factors. Arteries may develop a sticky substance called plaque over time and become blocked through atherosclerosis. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, blood cells and other substances in the blood.
Atherosclerosis, sometimes called “hardening of the arteries,” occurs when plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries, causing stiffening, narrowing or blockage. The progression of atherosclerosis can eventually lead to an obstruction of blood flow to vital organs and cause life-threatening symptoms.
Surgical bypass is a medical procedure that involves taking healthy blood vessels from another part of the body to create new pathways for oxygenated blood to flow around or “bypass” a section of blocked or narrowed arteries.
What Is Vascular Bypass Surgery?
Vascular surgeons use either a natural (pieces of a patient’s veins) or synthetic graft to redirect blood flow around a blocked area caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD). About 6.5Also known as peripheral arterial disease, atherosclerosis causes PAD, which reduces blood flow to the lower extremities (legs and feet).
A vascular bypass surgery could be beneficial for patients with serious PAD symptoms, such as leg muscle pain during walking (claudication), nighttime pain (rest pain) primarily in the feet, nonhealing sores on the feet and legs or tissue death (gangrene).
The treatment plan usually begins with other, more conventional approaches, including medications, exercise, smoking cessation and wound care. If these initial treatments fail to resolve the symptoms and alternative procedures like balloon angioplasty and stenting are not recommended for the patient, further tests may be performed to assess the possibilities of a surgical bypass.
It is important to note that surgical bypass does not eliminate the blockage. Vascular bypass surgery only serves as a detour for proper blood circulation.
What To Expect After Vascular Bypass Surgery?
Hospital Stay Post-Surgery:
- Patients usually stay in the hospital for monitoring and recovery for two to five days following surgery. The duration may extend to around seven days for patients who have undergone an aortic bypass. During this time, it is common for the bowels to slow down temporarily, so food is re-introduced gradually. It is normal for patients to experience incision pain or discomfort for several days to weeks, which can be managed with pain medication. Swelling and occasional drainage are also common. Some patients may transition to a rehabilitation facility for a few days after leaving the hospital to regain strength.
Post-Operative Care and Recovery at Home:
- Upon returning home, it is advisable (and sometimes required by vascular surgeons) to have someone stay with you for a few days. Consider taking a few weeks off from work during the recovery period.
Gradual Resumption of Activities:
- While you can ride in a car and climb stairs, you will need time to recuperate before driving or engaging in heavy work. The duration of this recovery phase depends on your specific condition and your type of bypass surgery.
Appetite Changes and Physical Symptoms:
- It is common to experience temporary appetite and weight loss.
- Swelling in the leg or abdomen may occur, along with numbness or drainage from the incision site. Make sure to follow the instructions provided to you by your healthcare team on managing these symptoms properly.
Improvement in Muscle Pain and Wound Healing:
- Muscle pain associated with walking should gradually improve or resolve, and wounds from the surgery should heal over time.
Consulting Your Vascular Surgeon:
- Do not hesitate to discuss any concerns or questions with your vascular surgeon. Seek guidance on what to expect during recovery and how to support the healing process effectively.
Follow-Up Visits and Maintenance:
- Arrange follow-up appointments with your vascular surgeon for ultrasound tests to monitor the bypass graft’s function. Occasionally, additional procedures may be necessary to ensure the bypass works appropriately.
Find a Vascular Surgeon in San Antonio, TX
Don't let a non-healing wound affect your health and quality of life. The professionals at Vascular Institute of San Antonio are here to help.
If you have a wound that hasn't shown signs of improvement in four to six weeks or hasn't healed completely in eight weeks, don't wait any longer. Schedule an appointment with one of our vascular providers today. We'll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan and get you on the path to healing.