Attempts at saving severely ischaemic limbs

A distally produced arteriovenous fistula had a beneficial effect on the success of restorative arterial surgery in animal experiments. In two patients restorative vascular operation was supplemented with a distal arteriovenous shunt. In both cases, extremital function was preserved. In one patient the creation of a reversed venous circulation ensured a temporary result. Creation of an arteriovenous anastomosis, as an intervention improving the flow, and reversed venous circulation are recommended prior to amputation of otherwise incurable limbs. The progress in vascular surgery has resulted in a temporary or long-term preservation of more and more limbs which up to recent times had been condemned to amputation. The results are still unsatisfactory, as in a certain percentage of cases the success is only temporary.