Vascular reconstruction in Buerger's disease: is it feasible?
OBJECTIVE
Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease) is a clinical syndrome characterized by segmental occlusions of the distal vessels. Although a cessation of using nicotine products usually helps, nevertheless a surgical revascularization may be needed in cases of stage III and IV limbs. Because of the distal and segmental nature of the disease, these procedures are rarely feasible. This article focuses on the feasibility of performing a vascular reconstruction in thromboangiitis obliterans.


METHODS
Thirty-six of 94 patients (38.3%) who were followed by the Peripheral Vascular Unit of Istanbul Medical Faculty were selected for revascularization and 27 of 36 (81%) patients underwent revascularization procedures.


RESULTS
During a 36-month follow-up, the patency rates at the 12th, 24th, and 36th months were 59.2%, 48%, and 33.3%, respectively. The limb salvage rate was 92.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
Since patients affected by Buerger's disease consist a group of young population who are still in their productive stages, every effort should be taken to obtain a limb salvage in the ischemic period. Although the patency rates do not seem promising, the limb salvation rate was quite satisfactory.
Dilege
Sukru
S
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Capa Istanbul, Turkey.
Aksoy
Murat
M
Kayabali
Murat
M
Genc
Fatih Ata
FA
Senturk
Mert
M
Baktiroglu
Selcuk
S
D000328:Adult; D018450:Disease Progression; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D023821:Limb Salvage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013919:Thromboangiitis Obliterans / Q000601:surgery*; D014654:Vascular Patency