Vascular Insufficiency/Chronic Ischemia in the Upper Extremity-A Systematic Review of the Outcomes of Distal Upper Extremity Bypass Surgery

A Systematic Review of the Outcomes of Distal Upper Extremity Bypass Surgery

Pdf Summary

This scientific review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of venous and arterial grafts used in distal upper extremity bypass surgery. The study included 16 relevant studies that reported on 152 bypass grafts performed in 145 patients for upper extremity revascularization. The overall patency rate was 87% at an average follow-up of 34 months. Of the grafts performed, 19 were arterial conduits and 133 were vein grafts. Arterial conduit patency was 100% at a mean follow-up of 18 months, while vein graft patency rate was 85% at an average follow-up of 37 months. There was a statistically significant difference in the patency rates between arterial and venous conduits. All studies reported improved ischemic symptoms such as reduction in cold sensitivity, pain, and digital ulceration. The study concluded that distal upper extremity bypass surgery had a high patency rate and clinical efficacy. There may be a potential benefit in using arterial conduits over venous conduits, but further study is necessary due to the limited number of arterial reconstructions reported. Overall, this review supports the use of distal upper extremity bypass surgery as an effective treatment for digital ischemia.

Keywords

scientific review

efficacy

venous grafts

arterial grafts

distal upper extremity bypass surgery

patency rate

follow-up

arterial conduits

vein grafts

ischemic symptoms