Salvage of the lower limb.

This is a retrospective study of 80 patients with 94 severely ischaemic lower limbs treated over a period of 6 years. Arterial reconstruction was possible in 47 patients (54 limbs) and 76 per cent of these limbs were salvaged. There was no operative mortality. An attempt has been made to analyse the reasons for the failure. The fate of the patients who underwent major amputation is described. The selection of patients for direct arterial surgery is discussed, together with some of the technical problems involved.