Semi-quantitative assessment of tibial blood flow and distribution in response to surgical intervention using first pass radionuclide angiography andintravascular vital dye

The acute vascular response in bone to surgical trauma was investigated uti lizing a sheep model. Blood flow and distribution were determined using two methods; perfusion of the vasculature with an intravascular vital dye (Dis ulphine blue) prior to euthanasia and by radionuclide angiography (RNA) bef ore and after each surgical intervention. The pattern of Disulphine blue di stribution provided a good indication of local perfusion and response to su rgical trauma (drilling holes). Radionuclide angiography provided a dynamic image of the vascular response to surgical trauma. The generation of time activity curves of the first pass of radionuclide bolus enabled calculation of the relative blood flow through selected regions. For both techniques areas of ischaemia were apparent which were directly re lated to the location of screw holes. We conclude that factors other than b one plate contact influence the ischaemia that develops in bone subsequent to the application of bone plates. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.