Postoperative care usually is provided in an intensive care unit for the first 24 to 48 hours. In the postoperative period it is particularly important to ensure that there is a good blood supply to the lower extremities and a good hourly output of urine. Blood should be given until all major blood loss has been replaced, and the blood pressure is satisfactory. The use of a cell saver system during surgery should lessen this need for blood replacement. Intravenous fluids are administered slowly during the first 24 hours to ensure a steady output of urine from the indwelling catheter. The presence or absence of pulsation in the dorsalis pedis arteries should be recorded. Confirmation may be difficult at first, but the pulsations usually become more apparent later in the postoperative period. If pulsations are absent and there is a cold extremity, thrombosis may have occurred, and reexploration and removal of the blood clot should be considered.