Bypass surgery is a surgical procedure that creates an alternate pathway for blood flow to go around a blocked or severely narrowed artery. It is commonly used to treat advanced peripheral artery disease (PAD) or critical limb ischemia when less invasive treatments like angioplasty are not suitable or have failed.

During the operation, the surgeon uses a graft—either a vein from the patient’s own body or a synthetic tube—to connect healthy segments of the artery above and below the blockage. This bypass allows blood to flow freely to the tissues beyond the obstruction, improving oxygen delivery and reducing the risk of tissue loss or amputation.

Bypass surgery can be performed on various arteries, including those in the legs, arms, abdomen, or neck. It is typically done under general or regional anesthesia and may require a few days of hospital recovery.

This procedure is often recommended in cases of severe leg pain, non-healing ulcers, or threatened limb viability.