[Surgical measures in PTA--indications and results]

We review 145 patients who underwent surgical treatment due to PTA complications between 1979 and 1990. The main problem that occurred after peripheral PTA was embolisation into the lower limb area. 56 of 88 femoropopliteal or femorotibial reconstructions showed reocclusions, with a high reocclusion rate during the first 12 months. Five years after surgery, a mere 34% of these reconstructions were patent. Due to these unfavorable results of surgery after unsuccessful PTA, careful selection of patients is absolutely necessary, i.e., a PTA is justified only in stage III to IV arterial occlusive disease, corresponding to the indications stated by the vascular surgeon.