A case of a femoro-femoral bypass (FFB): An instructional learning tool for anatomists and students

Abstract

Aim: The cadaver donor can be utilized for displaying anatomical structures, pathological processes, medical devices encountered and surgical intervention. In an integrative curriculum the cadaver donor serves as a vehiculum to facilitate discussion on a wide variety of topics. Methods: A case of a femoro-femoral bypass (FFB), with stents in the common and external iliac arteries in aortoiliac obstructive disease, is functioning as a model for integrating many of the basic science knowledge by showing the extent of arteriosclerosis and providing additional notes that can be used for stimulating discussion among medical students. Limitations: The provided set of notes should be interpreted as one of many examples that can be construed depending on for instance subjects to cover and level of difficulty when presenting this case. Conclusion: Donor cadavers have proven to be an indispensable resource for instructing anatomy to medical students and health care providers. Each one holds enigmas that a physician may have overlooked prior to death of the patient. This case shows a femoro-femoral bypass with multiple intra-arterial stents. Upon further investigation, extensive arteriosclerosis was found throughout most medium to large arteries, with stents and patches maintaining vascularization. Removal of the entire aorto-iliacfemoral arterial tree provided a rare and detailed view of this condition, available through 3D scanning and photogrammetry for future review. This case prompts further discussion towards aspects covered in an integrated system-based curriculum, and notes provided in the appendix serve as examples.

Keywords

• Femoro-femoral bypass
• Arteriosclerosis
• Stents
• Education
• Integrative curriculum
• Laser-scanning