Effectiveness of reoperation after late failure of femoropopliteal reconstruction

Eighty-two femoropopliteal reconstructions were performed on sixty-six consecutive patients. Of seventeen late failures, thirteen were secondarily reconstructed. Clinical and angiographic studies demonstrated the reasons for failure in all patients except one. Seven patients were improved and six unimproved by reoperation. The best results were obtained when an inflow problem was found and there had been a long duration of initial patency.