Bypass surgery treats severe peripheral artery disease by rerouting blood flow around blocked arteries to restore healthy circulation. At Atrium Vascular Associates, board-certified vascular and endovascular surgeon Dr. Sydney Wong tailors care to your specific needs.
Reroute Blood Around
Blocked Arteries
Bypass surgery is an open vascular procedure used to treat severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) when the arteries become significantly narrowed or blocked. It works by creating a new pathway for blood to flow around diseased segments, restoring blood circulation to the legs or feet. Several types of bypass surgery are used, depending on the location of blockages.
Why Do You Need Bypass Surgery?
Bypass surgery treats advanced PAD when narrowed or blocked arteries severely limit blood flow to the legs or feet. When circulation is significantly reduced, tissues may not receive enough oxygen to function or heal properly. This can lead to worsening pain, non-healing wounds, infections, or risk of limb loss. Bypass surgery restores blood flow when other treatments are no longer effective.
You may need bypass surgery if:
- You have leg pain at rest or with minimal activity
- You have non-healing sores or ulcers on your feet or legs
- You have severe arterial blockages not suitable for endovascular treatment
- You have worsening circulation, which is threatening limb health
Types of Bypass Surgeries
Femoral-popliteal Bypass
Femoral-popliteal bypass reroutes blood around blockages in the superficial femoral artery using a vein or synthetic graft. It improves circulation to the thigh, knee, and lower leg, and helps relieve walking pain, promote wound healing, and reduce the risk of ischemia.
Aorto-femoral Bypass
Aorto-femoral bypass treats extensive blockage of the abdominal aorta or iliac arteries by connecting the aorta to the femoral arteries. This restores strong blood flow to both legs, improves endurance, and is often recommended for severe disease in high-risk patients.
Tibial Bypass
A tibial bypass is used when blockages affect arteries below the knee that supply the foot. By creating a new pathway to smaller tibial vessels, this procedure improves blood flow and is critical for limb salvage in advanced PAD with complex ischemia and tissue loss.
Why Choose Dr. Sydney Wong?
Dr. Sydney Wong is a board-certified vascular and endovascular surgeon with extensive experience performing complex bypass surgery for peripheral artery disease. As a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) and RPVI-certified physician, he evaluates your anatomy, symptoms, and goals to choose the right approach. Dr. Wong emphasizes clear communication, meticulous techniques, and ongoing follow-up to support durable circulation and limb health for patients across the GTA.
Benefits of Bypass Surgery
Bypass surgery offers a reliable option for restoring blood circulation when arteries are severely blocked, and other treatments are not effective.
By creating a new pathway for blood flow, it can provide meaningful, long-term benefits, including:
- Improved blood flow to the legs or feet
- Relief of pain caused by poor circulation
- Support for wound healing and tissue recovery
- Reduced risk of limb loss in advanced disease
- Durable results for complex arterial blockages
Bypass Surgery FAQs
What Is Recovery Like After Bypass Surgery?
Recovery varies by bypass type and overall health. You can expect a hospital stay followed by a gradual return to activity over several weeks. Dr. Wong and the Atrium Vascular Associates team provide clear instructions, close follow-up, and ongoing support to help you heal safely.
Can Bypass Surgery Help Prevent Limb Loss?
In advanced cases of PAD, bypass surgery plays a critical role in limb salvage by restoring blood flow to threatened tissues. While outcomes depend on many factors, timely surgery combined with close follow-up can reduce the risk of amputation and improve quality of life.
Schedule Your Consultation
Atrium Vascular Associates is a specialized vascular surgery practice dedicated to restoring circulation and protecting vascular health. Our clinic is conveniently located in Richmond Hill and serves patients throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Wong to discuss your symptoms, review your options, and receive personalized care.
