Embolectomy in the limb arteries.

Embolism to the limb arteries is usually a condition which is best treated by conservative means but there are a number of cases in which failure to reopen the occluded circulation may lead to loss of the limb and indeed loss of life. The increased confidence with which surgeons operate upon arteries and the facility with which extensive lengths of arteries may be cleared of clot have brought about a decided improvement in the prospect of saving the limb and preserving good function; however, the overall mortality of the general condition giving rise to embolism remains high and it might be said that surgical progress has not been matched by medical progress in this field. In this paper it is proposed to outline our policy towards major arterial embolism in the vessels to the limbs and to present some indication of the results which this policy may bring.