The Impact of a Simplified Hydrostatic Bypass Flow Technique on Error Detection during Surgical Limb Revascularization

Technical errors have an impact on the results of surgical lower limb revascularization. Use of ultrasound scanning or angiography on the operating table is inconvenient and, in case of angiography, carries a certain risk of radiation and contrast exposure. A simpler method of screening for errors is required. This study assessed the accuracy of a new simple hydrostatic bypass flow technique during surgical limb revascularization. In all, 885 patients were included in the retrospective study. All were treated for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CLTI) with a femoropopliteal bypass. Preoperatively, the radiological Vascular Surgery/International Society of Cardiovascular Surgery (SVS/ISCVS) score was used to assess the complexity of the anatomical changes. The surgeon made a subjective runoff assessment for every surgery. In 267 cases, the hydrostatic bypass flow (HBF) technique was used, and, in 66 cases, a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was used. In each case, a postoperative Doppler ultrasound (DUS) examination was performed following the HBF. Good early results were achieved in 89.46%, and 154 errors (17.4%) were detected (85 were detected on the operating table, including 57 technical errors). Independent efficacy in error detection was proven with a postoperative Doppler examination (Aera Under Curve (AUC) = 0.89; criterion mid-graft peak systolic velocity (PSV) <24 cm/s, p = 0.00001) and hydrostatic bypass flow (AUC = 0.71, criterion HBF < 53 mL/min, p = 0.00001) during surgery. The hydrostatic bypass flow technique is an effective intraoperative screening method in bypass surgery. Algorithmic use of HBF, DSA if needed, and DUS postoperatively improves the outcome. HBF sufficiently reduced the need for on-table angiography.