[Analysis of pooled data from the randomized controlled trials of endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis]. / A propos d'une analyse rétrospective parue dans Lancet sur les bénéfices de la chirurgie des sténoses carotidiennes symptomatiques. L'importance de définir ce dont on parle.

It is important to establish clear definitions concerning carotid artery disease, a topic that recently regained widespread interest in medical literature. Therefore, we summarize a paper of Rothwell and Barnett, recently published in the Lancet 2003 (1). In their analysis, the data of three randomized trials, comparing carotid endarterectomy to optimal medical therapy alone for a symptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis, were pooled after standardization of the measurement of the degree of stenosis and redefinition of the outcome events, to achieve comparability of the results of each trial. This analysis concerns 6092 patients with 35,000 patient-years of follow-up. Surgery offers a marginal benefit for patients with a moderate (50-69%) symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (absolute risk reduction of 4.6% for subsequent ipsilateral stroke at 5 years). Surgery is highly beneficial for patients with a symptomatic 70-99% stenosis (absolute risk reduction of 16% for ipsilateral stroke at 5 years). The benefit is uncertain for a symptomatic "near occlusion" (99% with retarded opacification of the distal internal carotid artery): absolute risk reduction of -1.7% for ipsilateral stroke at 5 years).

Combined reconstruction of the diabetic foot including revascularization and free-tissue transfer.

Diabetic patients, presenting with both peripheral vascular disease and large soft-tissue defects, are too often treated by primary amputation. A combined revascularization and free-tissue transfer procedure can extend limb salvage in these patients. The authors report their experience over 4 years with 19 diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease and large soft-tissue defects of the foot requiring free-tissue transfer. Although there was a 100 percent flap survival, early local wound problems occurred in three patients (16.6 percent). The recurrence rate was about 18.7 percent, but no complementary flap procedures were mandatory. With a mean follow-up of 38 months (range: 23 to 55 months), the limb salvage rate was 94.4 percent. Although there was one limb loss and one patient with ambulation difficulties, 16 patients (84.2 percent) were fully rehabilitated and were able to function independently. Despite a rather small series, this study confirms that in selected diabetic patients, a combined approach of vascular and reconstructive surgeons can reduce the limb amputation rate with acceptable complication rates. This combined approach offers major benefits to these patients, especially stable coverage and preservation of ambulation, and should always be considered before amputation.

Use of cryopreserved arterial homografts for management of infected prosthetic grafts: a multicentric study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cryopreserved arterial homografts for management of prosthetic graft infection. Between October 1992 and July 1998, 90 patients (84 men) with a mean age of 64 years from six different hospitals were treated for prosthesis infection by in situ replacement using a cryopreserved arterial homograft (CAH). In 43 patients (47%), the primary procedure had been performed at a nonparticipating center. Prosthetic graft infection occurred early (i.e., within 1 month after the primary procedure) in 15 cases and late in 75 cases. In the late group, the mean interval between the primary procedure and CAH replacement was 34 months (range, 3 to 330 months). In 41 patients, infection was located in the aortic region, including 17 presenting with enteroprosthetic fistula (EPF). In 49 patients, infection was confined to the femoral, popliteal, or subclavian region. Bacteriologic cultures were positive for one or more germs in 75 patients and negative in 15. The surgical procedure consisted of complete or partial removal of the infected prosthetic graft, debridement, and in situ reconstruction using one or more CAH. Our results showed that management of prosthetic graft infection, a grave complication, using a CAH is a promising technique, especially for patients in stable condition prior to reconstruction.

[Is age a limiting factor for carotid surgery?]. / L'âge est-il un facteur limitant pour la chirurgie carotidienne?

To evaluate the role of carotid surgery in elderly patients 75 years and older, we reviewed 912 carotid endarterectomies performed on 806 patients between 1987 and 1990. There were 151 patients (19% of the whole series) aged 75 years and older (160 endarterectomies, group A), including 29 octogenarians, vs 655 patients under 75 years of age (group B). There were more women in the elderly age group (44%) than in the younger one (38%). Symptoms, risk factors, operative outcome and follow up data of the two groups were compared. The risk profile was similar for the two age groups, with exception for coronary heart disease, less frequent in the older patient group (25% had previous infarction vs 44%). Indication for carotid endarterectomy was different in the two age groups: 41% of group A underwent prophylactic thrombendarterectomy for high degree stenosis, while only 30% of group B had asymptomatic carotid disease. In group A, 6% of the patients had carotid endarterectomy after recovering from a mild stroke, vs 2% in group B. Angiography revealed bilateral carotid disease in 59% of the group A patients (including 15% with contralateral occlusion) vs 40% in group B. Operative mortality was 1.5% for the younger age group vs 2.5% for the older age group. The cause of death was cardiac in 60%. A follow up is available for all patients who benefited carotid endarterectomy since 1976, including 180 patients aged 75 years or older.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)