[Iliac PTA: long-term results and current prospects].

The authors outline their experience with reference to the treatment of segmentary lesions at the level of the iliac artery. They analyse a series of 93 patients undergoing PTA. In 85 cases it was possible to conclude the procedure: 4 patients presented a small occlusion and 81 stenosis which was associated with femoro-popliteal occlusion in 35 cases.

[Incidence and treatment of vascular prosthesis infection in the groin. Personal experience].

The incidence of prosthesis infection in the groin ranges between 1 and 3%, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Contamination, irrespective of whether it is endogenous or exogenous, may occur during surgery of afterwards due to a secondary bacterial load which is often associated with a traumatic surgical technique for tissues, often in emergency surgery or re-operations. MATERIALS AND METHODS.

[Controversies regarding an algorithm and the type of surgical treatment in popliteal aneurysms].

Having outlined their 20-year experience in the treatment of popliteal aneurysms (PA), the authors discuss the type of therapeutic approach used. From the authors' point of view an overly aggressive approach to PA is unnecessary, and the decision to adopt a given therapy must instead be weighed up on the basis of the careful clinical evaluation of each individual case, taking into account the patient's clinical conditions at the time, the pathological anatomy of the lesion and its consequences. The authors divide primary PA into symptomatic and asymptomatic cases; in the latter surgery is definitely indicated and the possible contraindications represented by anesthesiological risk or small aneurysm diameter need not be evaluated.

Ureteroarterial fistula: a case report.

Ureteroarterial fistulas are rare, with less than 20 well documented cases reported. We report a case of a fistula between the left external iliac artery and the left ureter in a patient who underwent a previous operation for bladder cancer. The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in these rare but high risk patients are discussed.

Indobufen vs acetylsalicylic acid plus dipyridamole in long-term patency after femoropopliteal bypass.

To compare the effects of indobufen (INB) with those of ASA+dipyridamole (DP) on graft patency, 113 patients undergoing femoropopliteal bypass surgery were randomly and blindly assigned to treatment with INB 400 mg daily or with ASA 900 mg daily plus DP 225 mg daily. Treatment started 2 days before surgery and lasted for 12 months. All patients underwent two angiographic examinations: the first early after surgery (mean 6 days) and the second at the end of the study (mean 368 days).

[Traumatic lesion of the popliteal artery. Synthesis of our experience].

The Authors reported experiences from 26 traumas of popliteal artery; 2 are related to continuous microtrauma from exotosis; 2 vasospasms implied vascular intervention. Tibial artery bypasses with vein grafts have been advocated to obviate any exploration of popliteal hematoma. A multidisciplinary approach consisting of orthopedist, plastic and vascular surgeons should be employed.

[The current value of the whipstitch suture following carotid TEA].

There is no consensus of opinion regarding the type of suture to be used followed carotid TEA. The paper reports a study carried out in 123 operated patients who were followed for a variable period ranging from 6 months to 4 years with six-monthly controls using B-mode echotomography, supplemented by digital angiography via a venous route if necessary. A direct suture was used in 92 of the patients, while a venous patch was applied in the remaining 31.

[Improved survival in the treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm].

Personal experience in the management of 70 ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm over the past 5 years is reported dividing patients into 2 groups, before and after establishment of intensive care unit: survival was 30.76% on the first, 66.66% in the second.

[Factors determining prognosis in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the rupture stage].

Personal experience in the treatment of 70 ruptures of the subrenal abdominal aorta over the past 15 years is reported. The various factors determining prognosis are analysed with particular reference to the time between onset of symptoms and admission to hospital, clinical condition (state of shock, kidney function) and rupture location (anterior or posterior). Preoperative investigations and types of surgical treatment are described together with results.

[Carotid lesion associated with contralateral occlusion: diagnostic and therapeutic approach].

The treatment of atheromatous carotid lesions combined with occlusion of the contralateral carotid artery remains a problem and one that is much debated. With this in mind the present paper reports personal experience of 25 cases, 16 treated surgically and 9 medically. The criteria for the selection of either type of treatment on the basis of the clinical situations, angiographic findings and Doppler ultrasound studies of the carotid plaque, are analysed.

[Traumatic arterial spasm. Reflections on several personal cases].

Four personal cases and the treatment adopted are described. The incidence of this event is discussed. Attention is drawn to what is felt to be the most suitable treatment of traumatic ischaemia with a possibility of underlying spasm at in the light of the existing knowledge.