Analysis of Doppler ultrasonography and computer tomography angiography for predicting amputation level and re-amputation rate

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities is one of the most common causes of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation. Computed tomography (CT) angiography and Doppler ultrasonography are mainly used to evaluate distal vascular structures. Our objective was to evaluate the predictive efficacy of Doppler ultrasound and CT angiographic radiographic examinations in determining amputation levels and reamputation rates in patients undergoing lower extremity amputation. METHODS: Patients with major or minor amputation at various levels due to lower extremity lesions were included in the study. Standard demographic information, clinical accompanying diseases, reamputation datas, Doppler ultrasound, and CT angiography radiological evaluation reports were obtained retrospectively from the hospital system records of the patients. RESULTS: A total of 166 cases including 119 (71.7%) males and 47 (28.3%) females were included in the study. About 36.7% (n=61) cases had amputation at the level of surgery above the knee, 38.6% (n=64) below the knee and 24.7% (n=41) at the level of foot/finger. In patients who underwent amputation above the knee, occlusion was seen at the level of the iliac artery (88.9%), femoral artery (47.8%), and popliteal artery (37%). The rate of occlusion at the level of the popliteral artery in patients with below-knee amputation (59.3%) was found in patients with foot/finger amputation (51.5%) at the levels arteria dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial artery. According to the level of occlusion at all blood flow levels, it was observed that the rate of reamputation was most common in occlusions at the level of popliteal artery. CONCLUSION: It was found that radiological data are effective in planning amputation according to blood flow level and does not make any difference per se. It was found that the reamputation rates were related to the determination of the level of blood flow in the primary surgical phase.