TRENDS IN THE PRACTICE OF ARTERIAL-SURGERY IN WESTERN-AUSTRALIA

An overview of arterial surgery in Western Australia and the Departmen t of Vascular Surgery at Royal Perth Hospital was undertaken for the t en year period from 1983 to 1992. The annual number of arterial proced ures increased 116% from 937 to 2027 and lower limb amputations increa sed 44% from 335 to 483. Five arterial procedures were examined in det ail. There was a marked increase in carotid endarterectomy and angiopl asty, a moderate increase in aortic aneurysm repair and a small increa se in aortofemoral and femoropopliteal bypass surgery. The major amput ation rate was not influenced by bypass surgery. It rose from 113 per million population in 1983 to a peak of 148 in 1986, and then fell to 113 per million population in 1992. From June 1982 to June 1992 the po pulation of Western Australia rose 24%, from 1.34 to 1.66 million (and for persons 60 years and over, rose 38% from 0.16 to 0.23 million). A t Royal Perth Hospital similar trends were observed. Mean duration of operation for all vascular procedures and for the individual procedure s of carotid endarterectomy, angioplasty, aortic aneurysm repair and a ortofemoral and femoropopliteal bypass remained unchanged. Average len gth of stay decreased for carotid endarterectomy (29%) and angioplasty (74%), but remained unchanged for aortic aneurysm repair and aortofem oral and femoropopliteal bypass.