ESVS Techniques for Successful Infra-inguinal Bypass, with Case-Based Discussion – 2026

Join the moderators: Maarit Venermo, Matthew Menard and invited speakers:
Melina Vega
Alik Farber
Asha Malan
Mauro Garguilo

Objective: Join us for a focused, high-yield workshop designed to equip vascular surgeons with the skills and confidence to perform lower extremity surgical bypass—a cornerstone in the management of chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI). In light of the BEST-CLI trial’s findings, infrainguinal bypass has a renewed, evidence-based role in limb salvage—yet technical training remains a barrier for many. This workshop bridges that gap. Through expert-led instruction and interactive discussions, participants will gain both conceptual knowledge and technical insights critical to surgical success.

What Makes This Workshop Different? Expert-led, real-world demonstrations; Audience interaction via embedded case questions and discussions; Step-by-step walkthroughs of technical manoeuvres with commentary; Designed for surgeons at all levels seeking to strengthen their open bypass skills

Talks:

1. Pre- and intra-operative assessment of vein conduit: how you know if your vein conduit is adequate and what is real prevalence of suitable single-segment great saphenous vein?: Melina Vega
2. Bypass with reversed single segment saphenous vein approach: Technical pearls on how to do it effectively and quickly. Alik Farber
3. Bypass using alternative autogenous vein: How to make arm vein, short saphenous vein, and spliced vein work to its fullest capacity. Asha Malan
4. Bypass using prosthetic conduit: When is it appropriate and how to make it work. Matthew Menard
5. Redo bypass grafting: How to do it safely and how to best approach uncommon arterial exposures. Mauro Garguilo

Case-Based Discussions (2 cases):

Fellow-presented dynamic case discussion:

• Fellows from Bloemfontein, South Africa (Asha Malan), Helsinki, Finland (Maarit Venermo)
• Case presentation
  • history, exam, conduit status, imaging

Learning Objectives:

1. To review the components of optimal planning and preparation for surgical bypass:
   • Assessment of suitability for surgical vs endovascular revascularization
   • Assessment of venous status and delineating suitability for saphenous vs ectopic autogenous vs prosthetic conduit
   • Review of considerations of reversed, non-reversed and alternative venous bypass techniques
   • Review of considerations of redo bypass grafting
2. To review the operative techniques of infrainguinal surgical bypass
   • Across the range of conduit options, including autogenous and prosthetic
   • Across the range of anatomic options
     • Femoral popliteal
     • Femoral tibial
     • Popliteal pedal
     • Common femoral endarterectomy, profundoplasty and patch angioplasty
     • Popliteal/tibial endarterectomy

• • Across the range of venous graft orientations (reversed, non-reversed, in-situ)
  • In redo settings

3. To review techniques for optimizing operative efficiency and timeliness
4. To review considerations, modalities and techniques of completion graft assessment

Target audience: Designed for surgeons at all levels seeking to strengthen their open bypass skills

Registration and cancellation policy: € 25 for ESVS members and € 30 for non-members. Registration will close on the 13th May at 14:00 CEST. Please note that the course is dependent on final registration numbers. Where registration numbers are too low to run the course, this will be announced on the website no later than 48 hours before the course starts. For cancellations received more than 10 days before the event, a refund will be given less an administration fee of EUR10. For cancellations received less than 10 days before the event, no refund is possible. Please be aware that the online session will be recorded and following the session we may share snippets of the recording across social media and communication platforms and in our ESVS Library.  If you don’t wish to appear on these recordings, please ensure your camera is switched off prior to the start of the session.

CME: CME accreditation is not being sought for this course.

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
Find relevant guidelines and explore the e-library for podcasts, ESVS journals, videos, virtual vascular and more!