[Prognosis of arterial reconstructions in peripheral arterial vascular disease. Results of a minimum of 15 to 25 years follow-up].
Between 1958 and 1972 1051 extremities have been operated. In this study localisation and degree of the disease have not been considered separately. 90% of the extremities have been followed for at least 15 years and up to 29 years. The results of patency rate, mortality, occlusion- and amputation rate are presented. For better judgment of these results a new form of presentation was chosen, in which in periods of 5 years, up to 25 years the percentage of living open, occluded and amputated extremities as well as that of died open, occluded and amputated extremities can be recognized. Contrary to the well established opinion a very restricted indication for surgery in the younger age group up to 50 years with only intermittent claudication is proposed. The younger these patients are at the time of surgery the more probable is the risk of amputation before death. On the other hand compared with spontaneous course of the disease postoperative and later amputation and death rate are not adversely affected by surgery. Whether in patients with intermittent claudication surgery reduces later amputation rates is at least very doubtful.