[Complications in reconstructive procedures on arteries in the lower extremities].

During a year (1987/88) a study was performed at he Clinic of Thoracal and Vascular Surgery, supervised by Prof. dr J. Vollmar. Analysis of all cases with complications after reconstruction of the lower limbs arteries necessitating reoperation was performed. There were 56 patients in all. They were retrospectively analysed for establishing risk factors, clinical stage (by Fonstine), and time lapse from the surgery to the occurrence of complications. There were 12(21,4%), 23 (41,1%) and 21 (37,5%) of immediate, early and late complications, respectively. The following causes of complications following reconstruction of the lower limbs arteries were recorded: graft trombosis (41,1%), pseudoaneurism of anastomosis (17,8%), progressive arteriosclerosis (12,7%), proximally or distally to the operated segment. The following reoperations were applied: graft prolongation due to distal occlusion (35,7%), desobstruction of the graft and patch plasty (21,2%), partial or total replacement of the graft (17,9%), correction of the supplying vascular tree (7,1%). More than one reoperation were performed in 22 cases (39,2%) and amputation of the limb was necessitated in 4 (7,1%) cases.