Cumulative survival rates were calculated for 144 patients subjected, 10-20 years previously, to vascular surgery for arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs. The five-, ten-, and fifteen-year survival rates were 71%, 49%, and 30% respectively, when calculated from the time of operation. The five-, ten-, fifteen, and twenty-year survival rates were 85%, 65%, 44%, and 23% respectively, when calculated from the onset of symptoms. This represents a considerable excess mortality, mainly among men, and mainly caused by arteriosclerotic diseases. However, the median survival time is 13 years from the onset of symptoms, and during this period it is of decisive importance, that patients with disabling symptoms get access to vascular surgical evaluation.