Arterial reconstruction for radial artery occlusion

This study was designed to detail the history and symptoms of symptomatic r adial artery vaso-occlusive disease and to evaluate the results of radial a rtery reconstruction. Thirteen patients with symptomatic vaso-occlusive dis ease of the radial artery unresponsive to management by nonoperative modali ties were managed with arterial reconstruction. All cases were treated with reversed interpositional vein grafting from the radial artery in the forea rm (end-to-side) to the deep arch distally (end-to-end). Patients completed preoperative and postoperative assessments of symptoms and function, cold sensitivity (cold intolerance), and digital microvascular perfusion (isolat ed cold stress test evaluation with laser Doppler fluxmetry). At the follow -up examination all vascular grafts were patent, as determined by Alien's t esting and Doppler ultrasound. The patients reported symptoms and functiona l status that demonstrated significant improvement following reconstruction . Microvascular evaluations demonstrated a significant improvement in digit al microvascular perfusion as assessed by laser Doppler fluxmetry and digit al temperature recordings with a resultant resolution of ischemic pain, num bness, and ulceration. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:282-290. Copyright (C) 2000 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.).