Long-term recovery following surgical treatment for ulnar artery occlusion

Fourteen patients were surgically treated for ulnar artery occlusion. Digital blood pressure measurements obtained pre- and intraoperatively helped guide the choice between ligation or reconstruction of the ulnar artery following resection of the occluded segment. The digital brachial index (DBI) was derived by calculating the ratio of digital blood pressure to the simultaneous brachial artery pressure. A DBI value of less than or equal to 0.7 was an indication for arterial reconstruction. If the DBI was greater than 0.7, resection of the occluded arterial segment without reconstruction was considered appropriate. Eight patients were treated by arterial reconstruction and six patients were treated with arterial resection. Seven of the eight reconstructed ulnar arteries were patent at follow-up evaluation by Doppler evaluation. DBI measurements obtained at follow-up were compared to preoperative values. In the reconstruction group, DBI change in the small, ring, and index fingers was positive, whereas it was negative in the resection group. Eleven patients indicated improvement from their presurgical status, although over half continued to experience pain on a regular basis. Reports of environmental and contact cold intolerance also showed improvement following surgery. Complaints of pain and cold intolerance were not significantly different between the resection and reconstruction groups at follow-up evaluation.