Directional Doppler and angiography in the assessment of the postoperative function of the microvascular anastomoses: a comparative study

Abstract

Purpose

The aim was to evaluate the achieved patency rates and to compare directional Doppler with angiography in the assessment of the vascular patency.

Methods

Two different methods were used in evaluation of the vascular function of reconstructed fingers and hands. Directional Doppler mapping of anastomosed arteries was compared with conventional angiographical study in the same individuals in the examination of 110 arteries.

Results

The results showed equal findings in majority of examined vessels (93%) using both methods. There was erroneous interpretation in Doppler study of 4 arteries and in 3 angiographies the interpretation differed from Doppler study mainly due to projection difficulty. There were also 4 digital arteries which were considered open in Doppler study but angiography showed arterial recanalization or neovascularization phenomenon.

Conclusion

The patency rates at digital artery level (70%) were lower than at metacarpal and forearm level (81%) The results were in concordance with previous studies.

Keywords

Doppler ultrasound - Hand angiography - Microanastomosis - Patency rates - Replantation

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