ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of intraoperative graft flow and resistance measurements and a graft surveillance program to predict at-risk infra-inguinal bypass grafts. METHODS: Four hundred sixty-eight infra-inguinal bypass procedures performed between 1995-2006 underwent intraoperative measurement of graft flow and resistance using a Scimed OpDop. These data were correlated with graft outcome at six weeks. Two hundred fifty-four (73%) grafts were entered into a graft surveillance program and the effect of this on primary-assisted graft patency was assessed. RESULTS: Overall primary and primary-assisted graft patency was 81% and 83% at six weeks and 42% and 64% at three years. Grafts failing by six weeks had significantly lower flow (130.5 mL/min vs. 150.5 mL/min, P = .009) and higher resistance (0.67 peripheral resistance units (PRU) vs. 0.57 PRU, P = .004) than those remaining patent. However, OpDop measured flow and resistance was a poor predictor of graft failure in individual cases (area under ROC curve, 0.57). While there was no statistical difference in primary 18-month patency rates between grafts undergoing surveillance and those undergoing clinical follow up (55% vs. 76%, P = .133), primary-assisted 18-month patency rates were significantly higher in the surveillance group (83% vs. 77%, P = .042). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative measurements of graft flow and resistance do not predict graft outcome at six weeks. However, surveillance does identify at-risk grafts and improves mid-term primary-assisted patency.
Subject(s)
Graft Occlusion, Vascular/diagnostic imaging , Lower Extremity/blood supply , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/surgery , Ultrasonography, Doppler , Ultrasonography, Interventional , Vascular Patency , Vascular Resistance , Veins/transplantation , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Graft Occlusion, Vascular/etiology , Graft Occlusion, Vascular/physiopathology , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Male , Middle Aged , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/physiopathology , Predictive Value of Tests , Program Evaluation , Prospective Studies , Regional Blood Flow , Registries , Risk Assessment , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
A 33-year-old woman presented with stabbing perianal pain and intermittent headache and photophobia. Examination revealed atypical multiple perianal fissures with non-specific neurological findings. Polymerase chain reaction of the perianal swab and cerebrospinal fluid examination confirmed the diagnosis of perianal herpes simplex type 2 ulcer with herpes meningitis. This report emphasizes the importance of performing further investigations on patients with atypical anal fissures with or without systemic symptoms and signs to avoid misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment and prolonged discomfort.
