Extremity revascularization: a decade of experience.

Operative management provides low risk palliation for symptomatic occlusive disease of the leg. Survival is adversely affected by associated conditions. The rate of limb salvage was 70 per cent at 2 years in patients with gangrene. Bypass grafting did not increase the risk of subsequent amputation (mortality 11 per cent), and therefore primary amputation should be avoided.