This report is long term analysis of patients with Buerger´s disease, who were treated surgically
at Seoul National University Hospital during the period from March, 1961, to March, 1969. Incl
uded in the survey are 67 patients with follow up from 1 to 9 years.
The results are summarized as follows;
1) Buerger´s disease was more often occured at age group of 20∼40, as 57 cases (85.1%). all
patients were male.
2) All cases of the patients smoked when the diagnosus had been made. 21 cases (31.4%) among
58 patients (86.6%), who continued to smoke postoperatively, and all of 9 cases (13.4%) who
stopped smoking permanently resulted in good response to treatment.
3) 55 cases (82.1%) lived in rural county. 56 cases (83.6%) had occupation proir to disease,
however only 20 cases (29.9%) were occupied in their work of late.
4) The duration of comming hospital after manifestation of the initial symptoms was less than
5 years in 60 cases (89.6%).
5) Common symptoms and signs in order of frequency were coldness (92.5%) pain (85.1%)
and intermittent claudication (62.7%).
6) The lower extremities were more affected than the upper, the ratio of distribution was 8:2.
7) The weakness or absent of arterial pulsation was noted highly in dorsalis pedis artery (94.2%)
and popliteal artery (63.9%) at lower extremities, and in radial artery (86.9%) at upper extrem
ities.
8) Arteriogram revealed narrowing or occlusion of lumen, most commonly in femoropopliteal
artery (66.6%).
9) Trauma and Burn as past history observed on the site of affected extremities in 14 cases
(20.9%).
10) The main type of surgery in all cases was sympathectomy, and 33 patiens (49.2%) lost
their one or more extremities.
11) Long term results of surgery were effective in 44.8% (30 cases) including major amputat
ion, But improved cases without major amputation were only 19 cases (24%).
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