The vascular registry--a responsibility for all vascular surgeons? Vascular Registry in Southern Sweden (VRISS).

The value of a medical technique or a surgical method is demonstrated when it is applied in everyday, community practice. Peripheral vascular surgery has become an increasingly common mode of treatment in non-university, community hospitals in Sweden during the last decade. Most reports on the outcome of vascular surgery, however, emanate from University hospitals, presumably with better facilities and perhaps selected patients. In an attempt to explore the value and application of peripheral vascular surgery, a registry in southern Sweden (VRISS) has been organized. In this communication some aspects on starting the registry and results from a pilot period are presented. This registry will be of particular interest because it covers all vascular operations within a defined population from a geographic area in Sweden.