Atherosclerosis can form in any part of the body. In the lower extremities this is treated with endovascular intervention or an open bypass. One of the more common locations for atherosclerosis to develop is in the infrarenal aorta and iliac vessels, or the bottom of the aorta just after the renal arteries. When plaque forms in the infrarenal aorta, this can lead to difficulty walking, erectile dysfunction, and hip pain. Depending on the extent of disease endovascular therapy is usually the first choice. However, with extensive disease, especially in young patients, the treatment of choice for this is called an aortobifemoral bypass. This procedure requires a vascular surgeon to use plastic tubing as a bypass around the atherosclerotic region to connect the aorta directly to the femoral arteries. This will restore blood flow to the affected areas and improve symptoms. Patients must be healthy enough to undergo abdominal surgery. The procedure involves bilateral groin incisions as well as an abdominal incision. Patients typically spend at least a week in the hospital recovering.