Free vascularized tissue transfer for limb salvage in peripheral vascular disease

In patients with tissue necrosis, higher limb salvage rates can be accomplished with free tissue transfers performed by a vascular and plastic surgeon team. We treated 10 patients with severe ischemic soft tissue defects in their legs with radical debridement and free tissue transfer alone (two patients) or after revascularization (eight patients). Arteriography was performed to plan revascularization to evaluate bypass results, and to identify appropriate recipient vessels for free tissue transfer. Soft tissue defects treated with free tissue transfer included nonhealing amputation sites in five patients and proximal skin and muscle necrosis in the remaining patients, one of which resulted in an exposed in-situ graft in one leg. One patient underwent a distal bypass specifically to provide arterial inflow for free tissue transfer, whereas seven other patients received free tissue transfers following bypass due to persistently nonhealing wounds. The remaining two patients had diabetes mellitus with necrosis near a major joint with nonhealing amputation sites. Free tissue transfers were taken from the latissimus dorsi in six patients, and from the gracilis, rectus abdominis, rectus femoris, and scapula flaps in other patients. Recipient vessels for free tissue transfers were the external iliac artery (one patient), saphenous vein bypass grafts (two patients), popliteal artery (one patient), posterior tibial (three patients), and dorsalis pedis vessels (three patients). Eight of the 10 flaps were viable at follow-up (four months-six years), with a mean follow-up of 20 months. One patient underwent above-knee amputation 15 months after operation and one underwent below-knee amputation three years later due to central flap necrosis. The remainder achieved functional limb salvage allowing patients to resume ambulation. Vascular surgeons should consider free tissue transfer in patients with nonhealing soft tissue defects following optimal revascularization to further extend our ability to salvage the threatened limb.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, New York, New York, June 17, 1989.     

Can indications for lower limb replantation and revascularization be expanded with simultaneous free-flap transfer for limb salvage?

High-energy trauma from road accidents and work-related injuries is the most common cause of lower-limb traumatic amputations. Many of these cases require extensive debridement and substantial bone shortening for primary closure because of crushing and/or avulsion of the involved parts. Since 1998, the authors have replanted or revascularized five lower limbs in five patients. Free tissue transfers have been used to cover soft-tissue defects during replantation and revascularization in all patients. The numbers and kinds of free flaps include one latissimus dorsi muscle, two transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM), and two anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flaps. Survival of the replanted and revascularized limbs and transferred flaps was obtained in four patients. Below-knee amputation was performed because of flap necrosis and extensive infection in one patient. Simultaneous free-tissue transfers may be used simultaneously with lower limb replantation or revascularization to obtain functional extremities in appropriately selected patients. The indications for lower limb salvage may be enhanced and successful results may be obtained in one stage, with low complication rates and shorter hospital stays. The authors report their experience with simultaneous free tissue transfers and lower limb replantation or revascularization.     

Use of temporary intraluminal shunts in selected peripheral arterial injuries

Successful limb salvage following major peripheral arterial injury is now limited mainly by destruction of nerve, bone, and soft tissue. In some patients prolonged tissue ischemia may be a problem because of delays in treatment caused by associated injuries. In order to minimize tissue ischemia times, temporary arterial shunting was used in selected patients with injuries requiring fracture fixation or extensive debridement. Forty-two patients with major peripheral arterial injuries were seen in 27 months. Thirteen patients, including ten of the 12 with popliteal artery injuries, had placement of a temporary arterial shunt. All shunted patients had successful revascularization and no complications of the shunting occurred. In the total group of 42 there was one death and one below-knee amputation. In patients with extensive but salvageable injuries occurring with peripheral arterial injuries we feel that the use of a temporary arterial shunt is safe and may prevent prolonged severe ischemia.     

Lower Limb Revascularization and Free Flap Transfer for Major Ischemic Tissue Loss

The objective of this study was to assess the value of lower limb revascularization and free flap transfer (LLR-FFT) in the management of critical leg ischemia and major tissue loss. A total of 29 consecutive patients with critically ischemic leg and major tissue loss underwent 24 simultaneous and 6 staged LLR-FFT procedures. The main outcome measures were bypass graft patency, free flap viability, leg salvage, patients alive with salvaged leg, and survival. At the 2-year follow-up, the bypass graft patency rate was 85%, secondary free flap viability rate was 82%, and 82% of patients achieved leg salvage and were ambulant. If the success was defined as patients being alive with a salvaged leg, the corresponding rate was 80%. Three patients achieved long-term primary patency and leg salvage despite free flap failure, which occurred during the 30-day postoperative period. Lower extremity revascularization plus free flap coverage of large ischemic lesions is valuable in achieving long-term leg salvage. Because revascularization and conventional management of major tissue loss alone can be effective in the management of a small number of cases, staged LLR-FFT is indicated, when appropriate, for better selection of patients undergoing such an aggressive and demanding treatment.     

Free tissue transfer to a difficult wound of the lower extremity

Amputation is still recommended to patients with a difficult wound of the lower extremity because limb salvage after free tissue transfer in these patients remains uncertain. During the past 3 years, the authors studied 15 patients (11 men, 4 women; age range, 17-71 years) with difficult wounds of the lower extremities who had free tissue transfers for limb salvage. Eleven patients had an extensive soft-tissue defect (nearly the entire length) of the legs or feet, and 4 had a composite-tissue defect of the legs or feet that required bony reconstruction. A total of 16 free tissue transfers (13 free muscle flaps, 2 osteomusculocutaneous flaps, and 1 adipofascial flap) were performed in 15 patients (1 patient had bilateral transfers). A saphenous vein loop or graft was used in 3 patients and a subsequent bone graft was done in 2 patients. Free tissue transfer was accomplished successfully in 14 patients (93%). Limb salvage was achieved ultimately in 12 patients (80%) who were able to ambulate during a 36-month follow-up. The authors believe that free tissue transfer for limb salvage in any patient with a difficult wound of the lower extremity is still a worthwhile procedure and should be attempted if possible. Meticulous preoperative preparation and intraoperative execution combined with the use of innovative microsurgical techniques are the keys for success.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

老年人下肢动脉闭塞的血管重建术262例分析

目的 总结对下肢缺血老年患者进行动脉重建术的手术效果及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾性分析从2006年1月至2008年11月收治的262例下肢动脉缺血的老年患者的临床资料.总结对老年患者行下肢动脉重建术围手术期的关注要点及影响远期预后的因素.结果 本组262例老年患者(323条患肢),下肢动脉血管旁路术102条,腔内治疗98条,单纯取栓/内膜剥脱术67条,手术(血管搭桥/取栓/内膜剥脱术)结合腔内治疗多节段病变56条.手术成功率94.7%,围手术期死亡2例(30 d内),围手术期严重并发症15例.262例中245例患者获得术后获有效随访,随防率93.5%,随访时间1～35个月,平均(18±10)个月.随访期内,死亡15例,血管Ⅰ期通畅率80.5%,Ⅱ期通畅率92.7%,保肢率95.2%.危险因素分析提示:有冠心病病史和年龄大于70岁的病例组在随访期内死亡明显高于其他组.合并糖尿病、病情严重、病变范围广导致术后血管再闭塞发生率高,且截肢数量增加.结论 重症下肢动脉闭塞症的动脉重建术依赖于熟练的手术经验,综合性的多科室协作,合理的手术方案以及围手术期的细致管理.     

Indications for distal arterial reconstruction in the presence of palpable pedal pulses

Eight patients with severe pedal ischemia in the presence of palpable foot pulses are described. All had atherosclerosis, and seven patients also had diabetes. There were two anatomic patterns of disease, including supramalleolar obstruction with reconstitution of pulsatile flow in three patients and segmental occlusion of the pedal vessels in five. All patients underwent arterial reconstructive surgery. Patency was sustained in six patients, with limb salvage in five and below-knee amputation in one patient for persistent necrosis and infection of an open amputation. Of the two eventual bypass failures, a transmetatarsal amputation continued to heal in one patient, and the other required amputation below the knee. Palpable pedal pulses and satisfactory ankle/brachial indexes did not rule out the presence of surgically correctable distal arterial occlusive disease. Therefore arteriography is indicated in any patient with persistent forefoot ischemia that fails to respond to conservative measures. The safety and patency of the distal reconstructive procedures performed in this series suggest that salvage of weight-bearing tissue and rapid healing, as well as limb salvage, are legitimate indications for revascularization.     

Contemporary assessment of foot perfusion in patients with critical limb ischemia

Significant progress in limb salvage for patients with peripheral arterial disease and critical limb ischemia has occurred in the past 2 decades. Improved patient outcomes have resulted from increased knowledge and understanding of the disease processes, as well as efforts to improve revascularization techniques and enhance patient care after open and endovascular procedures. An imaging modality that is noninvasive, fast, and safe would be a useful tool for clinicians in assessing lower-extremity perfusion when planning interventions. Among the current and emerging regional perfusion imaging modalities are transcutaneous oxygen monitoring, hyperspectral imaging, indocyanine green dye−based fluorescent angiography, nuclear diagnostic imaging, and laser Doppler. These tests endeavor to delineate regional foot perfusion to guide directed revascularization therapy in patients with critical limb ischemia and foot ulceration.     

Sixty-five clinical cases of free tissue transfer using long arteriovenous fistulas or vein grafts

Traumatic limb injuries requiring free tissue transfer for coverage, often lack healthy recipient vessels adjacent to the defect. In these patients, vein grafts are required to bridge the gap of either the artery, vein or both. For the latter situation, a temporary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) can be created and allowed to mature and then divided and used as recipient artery and veins for the free flap. These cases are challenging and several variables including vein graft length, vein graft diameter, and arterial inflow affect the patency of the vessels and the final outcome of the reconstruction. Sixty-five defects were reconstructed with free tissue transfers using vein grafts of significant length (>20 cm for the arterial gap). The ipsilateral or contralateral great saphenous veins were used for vessel lengthening in all cases. Inflow arteries were either major arteries (superficial femoral, popliteal or brachial), or lesser arteries (sural, anterior or posterior tibial, thoracodorsal, or superior gluteal). The patients were divided into those that underwent AVF followed by free tissue transfer in two stages (n = 6), AVF followed by free tissue transfer in one stage (n = 28) and patients that underwent vein grafting for the arterial defect only with (n = 6) or without (n = 25) a simultaneous bypass graft for lower limb revascularization. In the two-stage AVF group, the rate of occlusion of the graft after AVF creation was 50% (3/6); re-exploration rate was 33.3% (2/6); free flap failure rate was 33.3% (2/6); and limb salvage rate was 83.3% (5/6). In the one-stage AVF group: re-exploration rate was 28.6% (8/28); free flap success rate was 89.3% (25/28); and limb salvage rate was 92.9% (26/28). In the long vein graft group for arterial defects only: re-exploration rate was 25.8% (8/31); free flap success rate was 96.8% (30/31); and limb salvage rate was 87.1% (27/31). In patients where the graft was anastomosed to a major artery the re-exploration rate and free flap failure rate were 22.4% (11/49) and 8.2% (4/49). In patients where the graft was anastomosed to a lesser artery, the re-exploration rate and free flap failure rate were 43.4% (7/16) and 12.5% (2/16). The limb salvage rate was comparable in both groups (89.8%, 44/49, versus 87.5%, 14/16). In all groups, patients undergoing re-exploration were noted to have a an arterial gap of 31.78 cm as compared with the patients that did not require re-exploration which had an arterial gap of 26.26 cm. Vein grafting for bridging vascular defects is a safe procedure when proper indications and techniques are followed. Although a longer graft length seemed to be associated with a higher re-exploration rate, there was no statistical significance. One-stage AVFs can be used with good results, however, two-stage AVFs are associated with a high graft occlusion rate, wound failure rate and limb amputation rate. In all cases, a large caliber graft such as the great saphenous vein provided a large (relatively low resistance) conduit for bridging the defect.     

Limb salvage in elderly patients. Is aggressive surgical therapy warranted?

With the continued increase in life expectancy in the United States, the number of elderly patients presenting with limb-threatening atherosclerotic occlusive disease will also rise. The risk of arterial reconstructive surgery has been considered prohibitive in many of these individuals. During a six-year period, 50 patients aged 80 years or greater underwent a total of 64 surgical procedures for limb-threatening ischemia: 17 men (34%) and 33 women (66%). Ages ranged from 80 to 97 with a mean of 84 years. The procedural mortality rate was 3.1%. Cumulative life table survival rates for these patients were at 1 year, 92%; at 2 years, 76%; and at 3 years, 76%. The cumulative life table limb salvage rates were 92%, 88%, and 83% at the same intervals. Of the patients who died during the follow-up periods, 79% still had their previously-threatened limb intact. The results in these patients, as well as those from other series, support an aggressive policy of arterial reconstruction for elderly patients with limb-threatening ischemia. Age, per se, is not a contraindication to revascularization.