During the past three decades, Vascular Surgery has emerged as a specialty within general surgery. Fellowships are now available to equip surgeons with specialized skills for managing various vascular problems. Nev ertheless, the vascular surgical emergency, one of the greatest challenges in surgical management, may occur suddenly and at a time and place remote from the highly qualified vascular surgeon or a specialized center where complex vascular treatment is routine. The initial evaluation and treatment must be undertaken by a general surgeon who determines the extent, sever ity, and...