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Published on: May 2, 2012
'Diabetic tibial disease': the case for revascularisation
B M Stephenson1, A A Shandall, K Shute
1Department of Surgery, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport.
Insights
Diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia can often avoid amputation. Short vein bypasses successfully revascularized limbs in a small study, preserving lower limb function and preventing major amputation.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Diabetic Limb Complications
Background:
- Diabetic patients with critical lower limb ischemia are often deemed unreconstructable.
- Palpable popliteal pulse in diabetics is frequently mislabeled as 'small vessel disease'.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of short vein bypasses in limb salvage for diabetic patients with critical tibial disease.
- To emphasize the importance of thorough vascular assessment before amputation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of nine diabetic patients (mean age 69) with critical limb ischemia.
- Utilized short vein bypasses for revascularization.
- Assessed patency rates and limb salvage outcomes.
Main Results:
- Major amputation was avoided in all nine patients.
- All revascularizations remained patent at a mean follow-up of 32 months (range 12-60 months).
Conclusions:
- Short vein bypasses are a viable option for limb salvage in select diabetic patients with critical tibial disease.
- Arteriography is crucial to assess distal revascularization potential before amputation.
- Doppler insonation of tibial and pedal vessels should be considered if arteriography is inconclusive.
Abstract:
Diabetic patients with critical ischaemia of the lower limb are frequently considered to have unreconstructable vascular disease. In the presence of a palpable popliteal pulse they are often labelled as having 'small vessel disease'. In nine patients (mean age 69 years) with 'diabetic tibial disease' and critical ischaemia we have avoided major amputation using short vein bypasses. All revascularisations remained patent at a mean follow-up of 32 months (range 12-60 months). Diabetic patients with critical ischaemia should at the very least undergo arteriography to ensure that the possibility of successful distal revascularisation is not feasible before amputation is performed. However, if arteriography fails to demonstrate patent distal vessels and limb salvage is considered practical, Doppler insonation of the tibial and pedal vessels should be performed.
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