The use of aortic angioplasty rather than surgery for restenosis of coarctation of the aorta after initial surgery remains controversial. The efficacy and complications of these two techniques have never been compared in prospective and retrospective studies. Between 1976 and 1992, 56 patients were treated for secondary restenosis of coarctation of the aorta: 29 by angioplasty and 27 by surgery. The case reports of these patients were reviewed retrospectively. The average follow-up was 1.5 +/- 0.3 years of the angioplasty group and 5.4 +/- 0.8 years for the surgical group. The reduction of systolic blood pressure in the right arm was significant and identical in the two groups (p < 0.05). The residual pressure gradient was less immediately and at term in the surgical group (p < 0.05). No fatalities were observed in either group. There were no aneurysmal complications. A neurological complication (posterior column syndrome) was observed after surgery (3.7%). The global rate of complications was higher after surgery (6.7% vs 33%). The rate of further restenosis was higher after angioplasty (18.5% vs 3.7%). The low rate of complications, the shorter hospital stay without repeat thoracotomy were in favour of the angioplasty procedure but the greater immediate and long-term efficacy of surgery on the pressure gradient was in favour of the latter solution. A prospective long-term study is necessary.