title: Photoplethysmographic selection of amputation level in peripheral vascular disease.
abstract: In a prospective study 37 patients who required amputations of the leg were studied with a new technique: segmental photoplethysmographic skin perfusion pressures. The decision to amputate was made by a vascular surgeon in a traditional manner, with the aid of clinical criteria. The simple method of determining skin perfusion pressures with photoplethysmography is described; 273 measurements were performed. The technique proved to be highly correlated (r = 0.88) with wound healing after amputation, at a separating value of 21 mm Hg (p = 0.0001). The study suggests that the value of this noninvasive method will be to enable the surgeon to amputate at a lower level and to diminish complications and failure of rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Surgery, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: van den Broek
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Dwars
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rauwerda
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Bakker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D010991:Plethysmography / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing