Can lower limb vascular reconstruction be based on colour Duplex imaging alone?

Abstract

To determine the safety and efficacy of Duplex scanning as the only imaging modality prior to lower limb vascular reconstruction. Retrospective review. A single university vascular unit. Review of all lower limb vascular reconstructions over a 2 year period. 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. Vascular reconstruction can be undertaken safely in patients with lower limb arterial disease on the basis of Duplex scanning alone.