Routine angiographic follow-up examinations after vascular surgery

In 28 (i.e. 11.8 percent) of 237 primary vascular reconstructions stenoses of the reconstructed vascular segment caused by technical errors could be verified by post-operative follow-up angiography. These errors very often cannot be recognized intra-operatively, but since they disturb the haemodynamics, they can be regarded as the cause of re-occlusions. Immediate reoperation is indicated. Though the routine performance of follow-up angiography requires additional efforts, they seem to be justified by the results obtained. The pictures show typical post-operative angiographies, which shall illustrate our study.