|
Minimally
invasive leg bypass surgery is now available to the South Bay community.
Dr.
Kram has been successfully performing minimally invasive endoscopic video-assisted
leg bypasses for more than three years. Typically, these operations require
multiple long incisions which may extend down the entire leg and cause a
lengthy postoperative recuperation because of pain and healing problems,
especially in diabetics who are commonly amongst those requiring leg bypass
surgery. This new minimally invasive technique, which was pioneered by Dr.
Kram at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, allows for the performance
of leg bypass surgery with relatively few small incisions compared to conventional
surgery. This may contribute to a shorter hospital stay and less chance
for complications. |
|
When
your doctor recommends leg bypass surgery, you will naturally have questions.
The bypass procedure may involve using a healthy vein to "bypass" a blocked artery in the leg. Recent advances in technology have made it possible to perform this procedure in a new minimally invasive way, through small incision surgery. This may offer significant benefits to you. We hope this web site answers your questions about the leg bypass procedure and informs you of this new technique that could make your recovery easier. Blocked
arteries restrict essential blood flow
to the leg and foot. When the arteries in your leg become blocked, the essential blood supply to the skin and muscles are also blocked. This starves your leg and foot of the nutrients and oxygen they need. The blockage is usually caused by the accumulation of fatty deposits called plaque. If left untreated, the blockage deprives the leg and foot of needed blood flow and increases the risk of gangrene, ulceration, infection and amputation. To help the leg function more normally, a leg bypass procedure is often recommended. Worldwide, more than half a million-leg bypass procedures are performed each year. A
healthy vein may be used to bypass blocked arteries.
As part of the leg bypass procedure, your surgeon may recommend the use of a vein in your leg. This vein, known as the saphenous vein, is used to bypass blocked arteries. This provides an easy way to distribute blood to your leg and foot. Once the saphenous vein is used for an arterial bypass, other veins in your leg will accommodate for use of the vein and your leg's circulation should function as normal. Traditionally, the vein is prepared through a long incision that may extend from ankle to groin. Often patients who have this method of leg bypass experience lengthy postoperative pain from the leg incision. The longer incision may also delay rehabilitation from the leg bypass procedure because it may make it more difficult to walk after surgery. New minimally invasive leg bypass
technique
uses smaller incisions. Now, a new minimally invasive leg bypass procedure pioneered by our surgical team offers patients a less invasive alternative that can mean easier recovery and less risk of complications. With a new technology, our specially trained surgical team can now perform this leg bypass procedure through small leg incisions. This reduces the length of the leg incision, consequently reducing surgical trauma to the patient. Through these small incisions, our surgical team will be able to use an endoscope, or video camera, to view the saphenous vein and prepare it for use as a bypass.   Patients benefit from minimally invasive small incision leg bypass surgery. This procedure may offer several benefits to patients, including:
Your
surgeon will recommend the best procedure for you.
Our surgical team specializes in minimally invasive leg bypass surgery. In most cases, the smaller incisions can be used successfully. However, every surgical patient is unique. We will recommend the best procedure for you. For more information... We hope this information has answered many of your questions about leg bypass surgery. If you still have unanswered questions, or would like more information about this new minimally invasive leg bypass procedure, please call our office. Our approach is to treat you as a partner in your own health care, making sure to address all areas of concern. We promise to render effective care of impaired circulation in an individualized and personalized manner. Our staff is dedicated to "Helping you keep walking"™ |