[Early and late results following implantation of an aortic bifurcation prosthesis].

Aorto-iliacal or aortofemoral bifurcation grafts were implanted to 351 patients for stenotic or occlusive diseases of pelvic and femoral arteries, between 1974 and 1986. The average age of patients was 62.7 years, and perioperative lethality amounted to 7.4 per cent. The average age of patients who died was 68.2 years. Intraoperative complications occurred in 18 cases, early postoperative problems in 103, and complications over more extended periods of time in 37 instances. Postoperative amputation was necessary for eight patients (2.3 per cent) with pre-existence of gangrene. Another 30 patients (9.2 per cent) had to undergo amputation later on. Second, third and more interventions were required in 75 patients. Postoperative follow-up periods were between three months and 13 years during which 51 patients died of cardiovascular diseases, 21 of malignoma, and 14 of other diseases. Adequate surgical results were established by follow-up checks in 80 per cent of the above cases. Twenty-four per cent complained about continued or recurrent claudication. Forty-six per cent of all survivors have continued to be smokers.