Technically referred to as Tibioperoneal bypass surgery (for two of the arteries in the lower leg most commonly affected), this procedure is used to bypass diseased blood vessels in the lower leg or foot. To bypass the blocked blood vessel, the surgeon will reroute the blood through a transplanted healthy blood vessel, or implant a synthetic graft in place of the diseased portion. Prior to surgery, your surgeon will determine which option is preferable in your particular case.

If the condition of the patient's other blood vessels permits it, the surgeon will choose to use an existing piece of vein taken from either leg. Man-made graft materials have proven to be more likely to become narrowed again, but they may still be effective and used when a vein is not available. The section of vein or man-made blood vessel is sewn onto the small vessels of the lower leg or foot so that blood can travel through the new graft vessel and around the existing blockage(s).

General anesthesia (in which you would sleep through the surgery), or an injection in the spine (epidural) that prevents pain in the lower part of the body will be used.