[Indication for operation on the vertebral artery (author's transl)].

Fifty-three reconstructive vascular operations on the vertebral artery are reported. In our opinion, the operable causes of the vertebro-basilar insufficiency are worthy of more attention. The operative discomfort of these surgical interventions is of minor importance and may even be expected of patients well advanced in years. The postoperative results decide in favour of a positive attitude towards reconstructive surgery of the vertebral artery. The Doppler ultrasound technique helped to specify more precisely the indication for cerebral angiography. Do we recognize vertebral insufficiency too seldom?