The authors evaluate the success of femorodistal vascular reconstructions during the past seven years, in particular their asset for patients. A total of 41 femorodistal reconstructions were implemented in 39 patients (incl. 25 diabetics O 64.1%).The annual patency of reconstructions is 85.4 %, the five-year patency 68.3 %. In 11 (28.2 %) of patients subsequently a high amputation of the extremity had to be performed. In more than one third of patients with early and late occlusion of the reconstruction it was not necessary to make an amputation and the patients with an originally critical ischaemia of the extremity suffered from brief claudications. The thirty-day mortality was 2.6 % (one patient died from embolism of the pulmonary artery). Femorodistal reconstructions have at present a firm position in vascular reconstruction surgery and are usually the last hope for saving the extremity in patients with critical ischaemia of the extremity. They call, however, for exact indication and a delicate surgical procedure.

        Key words: femorodistal bypass O critical ischaemia of the extremity