title: Can lower limb vascular reconstruction be based on colour Duplex imaging alone?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the safety and efficacy of Duplex scanning as the only imaging modality prior to lower limb vascular reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single university vascular unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of all lower limb vascular reconstructions over a 2 year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-five limbs underwent vascular reconstruction based on colour Duplex alone. A wide range of revascularising operations were performed, including 29 cases of infragenicular reconstruction. In the latter cases, the findings of Duplex scanning were confirmed by on table pre-reconstruction angiography in 28 cases and the graft occlusion rate in the first month was 14%. There were no postoperative complications that could be attributed to a failure of preoperative Duplex imaging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vascular reconstruction can be undertaken safely in patients with lower limb arterial disease on the basis of Duplex scanning alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Leicester University, Leicester Royal Infirmary, U.K.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pemberton
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nydahl
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hartshorne
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Naylor
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: London
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014654:Vascular Patency