[The current status of arteriosclerosis obliterans in Japan]

In Japan, the number of patients suffering from arteriosclerosis obliterans has increased remarkably in recent years, especially among the aged population. This paper presents an overivew of the current status of vascular surgery for atherosclerotic occlusive disease and the outlook for the future. It is important that endovascular surgery be further evaluated as an alternative to conventional arterial reconstruction, however, its precise indications and limitations can only be discussed with the accumulation of experience. The history of vascular surgery is extensive and not limited to the development of new techniques and methods of surgery alone. Further development in many fields will surely lead to great possibility in the future.