Early reoperation after major vascular surgery: a four-year prospective analysis

Between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1988, 1176 major vascular operations were performed on 1040 patients by the Oxford Regional Vascular Service, of which 136 (12 per cent) were reoperations within 30 days of the initial procedure (110 patients). Sixty-seven (49 per cent) of the reoperations were attempted revascularizations, 43 (32 per cent) were amputations, and surgery for bleeding accounted for 18 (13 per cent). Of the first reoperations 71 (65 per cent) were successful, but among the remaining 39 patients, 17 underwent 26 further reoperations, 15 of which were reoperations for revascularization. The 30-day mortality rate for patients undergoing one reoperation was 13 per cent; this rose to 35 per cent if more than one reoperation was performed. Early reoperation after major vascular surgery is common and carries a high operative mortality. This should be borne in mind when obtaining the informed consent of the patient.