Long-term results of omental transplantation for chronic occlusive arterial diseases.

Twenty cases of thromboangitis obliterans (21 limbs) and five cases of atherosclerosis obliterans (five limbs) were treated with omental transplantation. Angiographic findings in these patients showed poor distal run-off, and direct reconstructive surgery was not indicated. Follow-up studies were conducted for an average of five years and one month (3 mos to 9 yrs. and 8 mos.). The long-term follow-up of 19 cases with thromboangitis obliterans (TAO) (20 limbs) revealed excellent results in 62%, good results in 19% and poor results in 19%. The results of the five cases with atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO) (5 limbs) were good in 20% and poor in 80%. Long-term results of omental transplantation show it to be remarkably effective in treating TAO but not ASO.