Reoperations, redo surgery and other interventions constitute more than one-third of vascular surgery. A study from Swedvasc (the Swedish Vascular Registry). The Swedish Society for Vascular Surgery.

Abstract

To describe the incidence of reoperations within 30 days, later redo procedures, and other interventions after vascular procedures. Analysis of vascular procedures prospectively recorded in The Swedvasc Registry. From 1987 to 1991, 8089 primary interventions were done for acute ischaemia, elective and emergency aortic aneurysms, intermittent claudication, critical leg ischaemia and carotid artery stenosis. Subsequent arterial surgery was identified until the end of 1995. Of an additional 4927 procedures, 24.1% were performed within 30 days of the first operation, 29.6% during the remaining first year, and 14.1%, 10.5% and 8.5% during the following 3 years, respectively. Thus, 15.5-41.5% of patients, depending on the indication, had further vascular surgery within a 4-year period. After operations for acute ischaemia or emergency aortic aneurysms, half of the reinterventions were performed within 30 days. In claudication, critical ischaemia, and after carotid endarterectomy, reinterventions peaked later during the first postoperative year. At 4 years the proportion without repeated surgery was 69%, patient survival 59% and event-free survival 39%. The considerable risk of reintervention after vascular procedures, and the limited life expectancy of patients, should be considered in treatment decisions for vascular disease.