[Thromboembolectomy by Fogarty's catheter (experience in 416 interventions)]

Thrombo-embolectomy by means of a Fogarty balloon catheter became part of routine surgical practice more than twenty years ago with a standardized method and technique. The authors report on a surgical population spread over ten years' activity (1975-1985) in the Institute of Surgical Pathology of the University of Verona with records of 416 emergency operations to remove thrombo-embolisms. Owing to its lack of operative mortality and the minimal trauma it causes, the technique is now strongly indicated and widely used. On the basis of their experience, however, the authors stress the need to adhere to certain basic principles: early recognition of the disease (within 12 hours); early anticoagulation of patients; immediate surgery. It is only by adopting such a policy that better results may be obtained in future and the number of amputations reduced.