[Microsurgical treatment of arterial occlusion in lower extremity]

To investigate the procedure and clinical effect of revascularization for arterial occlusion in lower extremity.

From July 1998 to March 2005, 29 cases of arterial occlusion were treated by microsurgery. Of 29 cases, there 22 males and 7 females, aging 22-86 years, including 9 cases of thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), 17 cases of arterial sclerosis obstruction (ASO) and 3 cases of diabetic foot (DF). The location was the left in 17 cases, the right in 11 cases and both sides in 1 case. All cases were inspected by color-Doppler ultrasonic scanning before operation. The cases of ASO and DF were checked with MRA. The results of examinations showed that the locations of arteriostenosis and obstruction were: in 9 cases of TAO, the distal superficial femoral artery in 3 cases, popliteal artery in 5 cases, bilateral dorsal metatarsal artery in 1 case; in 17 cases of ASO, common iliac artery in 2 cases, external iliac artery in 4 cases, femoral artery in 10 cases and popliteal artery in 1 case; and were all superficial femoral artery in 3 cases of DF. DSA examination confirmed that there was appropriate outflow in 15 cases. Basing on the location and extent of the arterial occlusion, 11 cases were treated by the primary deep vein arterializing, 16 cases by arterial bypass distribution and 2 cases of extensive common iliac arterial occlusion were amputated in the level of 1/3 distal thigh.

The postoperative duration of follow-up for all cases was 3 months to 7 years. In 9 cases of TAO, 2 healed by first intention after deterioration, 4 healed after changing dressing and 3 had fresh soft tissue growth after debrided superficial secondary necrosis. In 17 cases of ASO, 13 healed by first intention, 2 healed after changing dressing and 2 were amputated. In 3 cases of DF, 2 healed after changed dressing and debrided, 1 was aggravated with the second toe necrosis.

Performing primary deep vein-arterialization and arterial bypass distribution is effective for treatment of arterial occlusion of lower extremity. The arterial reconstructive patency rate can be improved by microsurgical treatment.