[Surgical treatment of critical limb ischemia]

Effective management of critical limb ischemia (CLI) requires a multidisciplinary approach. Vascular surgeons have a wide range of methods that can avoid major amputation. From January 2004 to December 2005, we treated 95 lower limbs with CLI in 81 patients. Various techniques were used to revascularize the ischemic limbs, including endovascular and conventional surgery. With aggressive treatment, 93.7% of CLI limbs were revascularized, with a peri-operative mortality rate of 2.5%. The limb salvage rate was 68% in 59 patients after a mean follow-up of 6.9 months. Failed revascularization was often due to late patient referral.