Femoropopliteal Surgery

Femoropopliteal surgery abroad is a welcome option for patients who face problems about costs, waiting lists and sub-standard medical facilities in their home country.

Abbreviated as Fem-Pop, and also known as femoral popliteal bypass surgery, Femoropopliteal is a surgical procedure wherein the doctor uses a vein from the patient’s body or an artificial vein to construct a bypass around a blocked main artery. Femoropopliteal bypass surgery starts with a consultation with a doctor who decides to redirect the blood flow through an existing vein or to use a graft material. Under this procedure, one end of the vein graft is attached above the blockage and other end is attached below the blockage. Thus, the flow of blood is rerouted around the blockage throughout the new graft to reach the muscle. Depending on the circumstances, the doctor uses a prosthetic (made of artificial material) graft for the bypass graft, rather than a vein graft.

Once advised, Femoropopliteal surgery should be performed as soon as possible. The average cost of a fem-pop bypass surgery in the US can be anywhere from $7,000 to $15,000. This cost is greatly reduced for patients who opt for a Femoropopliteal surgery abroad. There are many international medical tourism centers which cater to patients in need of a fem-pop surgery. India, Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica and Turkey are some counties which offer state of the art Femoropopliteal bypass surgery centers. The treatment procedures are of the most advanced nature and costs are much less than what you would find back home.

Here, you find a full-fledged explanation on Femoropopliteal surgery, why one would be recommended by the doctor, procedures and a note on the various international medical tourism centers offering low cost Femoropopliteal bypass surgery treatments.

Once advised, Femoropopliteal surgery should be performed as soon as possible. The average cost of a fem-pop bypass surgery in the US can be anywhere between $7,000-$15,000. This cost is greatly reduced for patients who opt for a Femoropopliteal surgery abroad. There are many international medical tourism centers which cater to patients in need of a fem-pop surgery. India, Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica and Turkey are some counties which offer state of the art Femoropopliteal bypass surgery centers. The treatment procedures are of the most advanced nature and costs are much less than what you would find back home.

Here, you shall find a full-fledged explanation on Femoropopliteal surgery, why one would be recommended by the doctor, procedures and a note on the various international medical tourism centers offering low cost Femoropopliteal bypass surgery treatments.

When the Doctor would Recommended a Femoropopliteal Surgery?

Patients, who have narrowed or blocked femoral or popliteal arteries, which are near the surface of the legs are recommended the fem-pop bypass surgery because that blocked femoral artery may cause significant symptoms or it may threaten the limb (http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/Femoropopliteal-bypass-fem-pop-bypass-for-peripheral-arterial-disease). The disease of the arteries of the limbs is known as Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). PAD can be cured in two ways – the standard procedure is called femoral popliteal bypass surgery and the new intervention called Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) of the femoral artery.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the femoral arteries

Under this procedure, a special catheter (a long hollow tube) is inserted into the femoral artery. This catheter has tiny balloon shape at its tip. As the catheter has been placed into the narrowed area of the artery, the balloon blows up. Thus, the inflation of the balloon squeezes the fatty tissue in the artery and increases inside area of the artery and improves the flow of blood.

Preparing for Femoropopliteal Bypass Surgery

Before starting the surgery, doctor may like to take blood test, ECG (Electrocardiogram) and X- ray of patient’s chest. As patient leads to the surgery, patient needs to follow some steps:

• Stop smoking and try to reduce your weight, if you are overweight
• Arrange a vehicle and visit the hospital with someone
• Do not take aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs for one week before surgery, unless doctor has advised you
• Do not take any antibiotics to help prevent infection
• Take a light dinner at the night before procedure and do not eat or drink anything after midnight

Femoropopliteal Bypass Surgery Procedure

Before starting the surgery, the doctor will ask you to remove your jewelry or any other objects, which may interfere with the procedure. The surgery usually takes 3-4 hours and catheters monitor the blood pressure (BP), arteries and urinary output during the surgery.

The surgeon makes a cut in the thigh along the portion of the saphenous vein to be removed for use as the bypass graft. Then the vein is dissected and replaced with suitable graft, an artificial graft, or tubular prosthetic graft. Once the vein is removed, the small branches of the vein are tied off. Surgeon will make the next cut in the groin to expose the femoral artery and another incision is made near the inside the back of the knee to expose the popliteal artery. Thus the femoral artery and the popliteal artery are isolated and clamped with vascular clamps to block the flow of blood while the graft is being attached. Now surgeon will stitch the one end of the vein graft with the femoral artery at the groin, and the other end of the vein graft is stitched into the popliteal artery at the knee. Once the graft is attached, the blood will start flowing through the vein graft to check for any leaks. Now, the vascular clamps will be removed and allow blood to flow through the graft to the lower leg.

Catheters will give the patient blood pressure medication through to keep blood pressure within a certain range. Now, surgeon will stitch those incisions and apply a sterile bandage.

Precautions to be taken after the Surgery

• Swelling in the leg is normal post a Femoropopliteal bypass surgery. The doctor will prescribe appropriate medication so that there is minimal pain and discomfort. Regular intake of medication is important. Also, anything unusual should be immediately reported.
• For the first 4-6 weeks, do not drive but make sure that you walk each day and take physical therapy as well as other exercises to heal the strengthen your leg.
• When you are not walking or doing exercises, keep your legs elevated, especially the leg on which surgery was performed.
• Place a pillow under your leg while sleeping and sitting.
• Avoid oily and junk food and smoking.
• Shower as normal, but do not take baths until the surgical wound is completely healed. Keep your wound dry but do not use talc or powder to keep them dry.

Femoropopliteal Surgery Abroad

If your doctor has recommended a fem-pop bypass surgery but the costs are giving you nightmares, or you feel that you need to get it real soon, a Femoropopliteal surgery abroad is a much easier and cost-effective option. Medical tourism centers is India, Mexico, Turkey, Jordan, Costa Rica and Malaysia, among others, offer top notch Femoropopliteal treatments. The biggest advantage of getting a Femoropopliteal surgery abroad is that your hospital stay will be much longer than it will be back home, all thanks to the reduced costs. You have the option of staying as long as it is not completely comfortable for you to go home, without worrying about the piling hospital bills.

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