[Social aspects of reconstructive vascular surgery in patients under 60 years of age]

The effect of initial elective arterial reconstructive surgery was evaluated in relation to employment and social status. Ninety patients with intermittent claudication were followed for a period of 3.5 years. The male to female ratio was 1:12. At the time of operation, all the patients were under the age of 60 years and potentially professionally active. The indication for operation in fifty-nine patients was intermittent claudication. For thirty-one patients, the indication for operation was ischaemic rest pain, gangrene or ulcer. Fifty-six patients (74%) returned to active employment following vascular reconstructive surgery. It is concluded that reconstructive vascular surgery is of great importance for rehabilitation and in the success of resumption of active employment.