Full Answer
How is a fem pop done?
A femoropopliteal (fem-pop) bypass is surgery to change the flow of your blood so it goes around blocked blood vessels. To do this surgery, your doctor will use something called a graft. The graft can be a vein taken from another place in your leg. Or it can be a man-made blood vessel.
What does fem pop?
What Is Femoral Popliteal Bypass Surgery? Femoral popliteal bypass surgery, or fem pop bypass, creates a new route for blood flow to your lower leg. During the leg bypass, your surgeon places a graft, a replacement for the damaged artery. The graft may be a tiny synthetic (human-made) tube.
Why is a fem pop bypass done?
Femoral popliteal bypass surgery is used to treat blocked femoral artery. The femoral artery is the largest artery in the thigh. It supplies oxygen-rich blood to the leg. Blockage is due to plaque buildup or atherosclerosis.
Is femoral bypass major surgery?
This is a major surgical procedure performed under anesthesia via incisions in the leg. Careful assessment of the risks and benefits prior to surgery, as well as diligent medical, anesthetic, and surgical care, insures the best outcomes following leg bypass operations.
How serious is a femoral artery blockage?
Long-term narrowing or total blockage of the femoral artery can cause claudication, fatigue and painful cramping in the calf muscles when walking. In extreme situations, a blocked artery in your leg can lead to amputation (removal) of your toes, foot or leg.
How long is recovery from femoral artery surgery?
You will need to take it easy for 1 to 4 weeks at home. It may take 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems.
How long is hospital stay after leg bypass surgery?
After the Procedure Most people stay in the hospital for 4 to 7 days.
What does a blocked femoral artery feel like?
Claudication is a symptom of a narrowing or blockage of an artery. Typical symptoms of claudication include: Pain, a burning feeling, or a tired feeling in the legs and buttocks when you walk.
What are the symptoms of a blocked artery in your leg?
SymptomsColdness in the lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side.Leg numbness or weakness.No pulse or a weak pulse in the legs or feet.Painful cramping in one or both of the hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs.Shiny skin on the legs.More items...•
How soon can you walk after leg bypass surgery?
Your incision may be sore for several days. You should be able to walk farther now without needing to rest. Full recovery from surgery may take 6 to 8 weeks.
How soon can you drive after leg bypass surgery?
Don't drive for at least 7 days after your surgery or while you are taking opioid pain medicine (or if you are still having a lot of leg pain). Expect to start walking soon after surgery. Walking helps reduce swelling and helps your cut (incision) heal.
How long are you in hospital after vascular surgery?
The procedure is performed in the hospital surgical suite; after surgery, you should expect to: Be discharged from the hospital approximately 12 to 72 hours after the catheter is removed.
Is leg bypass surgery painful?
You will have some pain from the cuts (incisions) the doctor made. The pain usually gets better after about 1 week. Your doctor will give you pain medicine. You can expect your leg to be swollen at first.
Can you walk after leg bypass surgery?
Your incision may be sore for several days. You should be able to walk farther now without needing to rest. Full recovery from surgery may take 6 to 8 weeks.
What happens if the popliteal artery is blocked?
Long-term pressure on the popliteal artery can cause the artery to narrow (stenosis), causing pain and cramping with just slight activity, such as walking. In severe cases or when undiagnosed, the nerves and muscles in the leg can become damaged. Blood clots may occur in the lower leg (deep vein thrombosis).
What is a femoral popliteal bypass describe possible postoperative complications?
Risks of a Femoral Popliteal Bypass Surgery (Fem-Pop Bypass) Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beats) Hemorrhage (bleeding) Wound infection. Leg edema (swelling of the leg) Thrombosis (clot in the leg)
Femoral Popliteal Bypass Surgery: Conditions Treated
Femoral popliteal bypass surgery is used to treat conditions that affect circulation. These may include: 1. Claudication 2. Peripheral vascular dis...
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 th...
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 an...
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 wi...
What Is Femoral Popliteal Bypass Surgery?
Femoral popliteal bypass surgery, or fem pop bypass, creates a new route for blood flow to your lower leg. During the leg bypass, your surgeon places a graft, a replacement for the damaged artery. The graft may be a tiny synthetic (human-made) tube.
Who Qualifies for Fem Pop Bypass Surgery?
At Penn Medicine, we recommend other options before open surgery whenever possible. Medical management (such as medicine and compression stockings) or minimally invasive endovascular procedures may be a good fit for you.
What to Expect from the Procedure
Fem pop bypass is a surgical procedure performed in the hospital. Your care team includes vascular surgeons, nurses, technicians and a vascular anesthesiologist. During the procedure:
Fem Pop Bypass for Blocked Leg Artery: The Penn Medicine Difference
At the Penn Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Program, you’ll find:
How Long Do the Effects of This Surgery Last?
For some people, fem pop bypass surgery lasts the rest of their lives. The most common complication of this surgery for peripheral artery disease is that the new graft becomes blocked. In that case, you may need an endovascular procedure or a repeat bypass.
Deep Vein Arterialization as an Alternative to Fem Pop
Some individuals with very advanced PAD and critical limb ischemia are not candidates for endovascular or surgical bypass techniques. For these patients, Penn Medicine vascular surgeons offer deep vein arterialization (DVA).
How do you get oxygen in a femoral popliteal bypass?
Under local anesthesia, you will get oxygen through a tube that fits in your nose. Femoral popliteal bypass may also be done under general anesthesia. You will be asleep. Once you are sedated, your provider will put a breathing tube through your throat into your lungs. You will be connected to a ventilator.
What is femoral popliteal bypass surgery and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the femoral arteries?
Femoral popliteal bypass surgery is used to treat blocked femoral artery. The femoral artery is the largest artery in the thigh. It supplies oxygen-rich blood to the leg. Blockage is due to plaque buildup or atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis in the leg arteries causes peripheral vascular disease. The same process causes heart disease and stroke.
Can you feel sleepy during a femoral popliteal bypass?
A femoral popliteal bypass may be done under local anesthesia. You will not feel the area to be operated on. You will get medicine in your IV to help you relax before the procedure. But you will likely stay awake, but feel sleepy, during the procedure.
How does a femoral popliteal bypass work?
Under local anesthesia, you will receive oxygen through a nasal cannula, a tube that fits in your nose. Femoral popliteal bypass may also be performed under general anesthesia (you will be asleep). Once you are sedated, a breathing tube will be inserted through your throat into your lungs and you will be connected to a ventilator, ...
Can you stay in the hospital for femoral popliteal bypass surgery?
Femoral popliteal bypass surgery requires a stay in the hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your physician's practices. Generally, femoral popliteal bypass surgery follows this process: You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.
Can you be awake during a femoral popliteal bypass?
A femoral popliteal bypass may be performed under local anesthesia. You will not feel the area to be operated on. You will receive a sedative medication in your IV before the procedure to help you relax. However, you will likely remain awake, but sleepy, during the procedure.
Why are femoral and popliteal arteries called peripheral arteries?
Femoral and popliteal arteries are called peripheral arteries because of their location away from the center of the body. Disease of the arteries of the limbs (particularly the legs and feet) is referred to as peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
What is the procedure for femoral popliteal bypass?
Generally, femoral popliteal bypass surgery follows this process: You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure. You will be asked to remove your clothing and will be given a gown to wear. An intravenous (IV) line will be started in your arm or hand.
Do you have to stay in the hospital for femoral popliteal bypass surgery?
During the procedure. Femoral popliteal bypass surgery and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the femoral artery require a stay in the hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor's practices.
What is femoropopliteal bypass surgery?
A femoropopliteal (fem-pop) bypass is surgery to change the flow of your blood so it goes around blocked blood vessels.
How is the surgery done?
You may be asleep during the surgery. Or you may get medicine to numb your lower body and prevent pain.
What is femoral popliteal bypass surgery and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the femoral arteries?
Femoral popliteal bypass surgery is used to treat blocked femoral artery. The femoral artery is the largest artery in the thigh. It supplies oxygen-rich blood to the leg. Blockage is due to plaque buildup or atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis in the leg arteries causes peripheral vascular disease. The same process causes heart disease and stroke.
What happens during femoral popliteal bypass surgery?
Talk with your healthcare provider about what you will experience during your procedure. These procedures require a hospital stay. Procedures may vary based on your condition and your provider's practices.
What happens after femoral popliteal bypass?
After the procedure, you will be taken to the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) and closely watched. Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you may be taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) or your hospital room.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Femoropopliteal bypass surgery is done when the blood flow to your leg is decreased or blocked. The femoral artery is the main blood vessel in your thigh. Blood flows from the femoral artery into the popliteal artery, which is behind your knee. These arteries carry blood and oxygen to your legs.
Medicines
Keep a current list of your medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Use vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits
For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.
Activity
Ask your caregiver how often and how far you should walk each day. Walking helps prevent blood clots and decreases your risk for a lung infection. Also ask your caregiver when you can return to work or your other daily activities.
Deep breathing and coughing
Deep breathing and coughing help keep you from getting a lung infection after surgery. Deep breathing opens the airways going to your lungs. Coughing helps bring up sputum (mucus) from your lungs for you to spit out. You should breathe deeply and cough every hour while you are awake.
Do not smoke
Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. Smoking increases the risk of your graft becoming blocked, and your bypass surgery failing. You are also more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. Ask your caregiver how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
Elevate your legs
Elevate (raise) and rest your legs to help decrease any swelling you may have. Try to keep your legs raised whenever you sit or lie down.
