Many fundamental experimental findings in vascular surgery, the development of suture techniques, and vascular transplantation date back to the turn of the century. For bridging defects in large peripheral arteries, autologous vein grafts have proven to be the most effective since their first clinical application by Lexer in 1907. Numerous arteriographic studies conducted at the Rehn Clinic in Freiburg, based on extensive experiences from World War II, provided evidence for the patency of the transplanted veins. Although the first attempts at arteriohomoioplasty were made shortly after the turn of the century, the procedure remained clinically insignificant until R. E. Gross and colleagues reported the first successful transplantations for aortic coarctation and Fallot's tetralogy in 1948.