Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 11, Issue 2 65-71, Copyright © 1992 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Operative color Doppler imaging for vascular surgery
J. Machi, B. Sigel, A. Roberts, K. R. Bakshi, I. Kodama and L. A. Loiacono
Department of Surgery, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19129.
Operative color Doppler imaging (CDI) was performed during 57 vascular
operations (24 carotid, 24 lower extremity, six renal artery, and three
other operations), and its benefits were assessed in comparison to B-mode
imaging. Pre-reconstruction operative CDI was used selectively in 18
operations, and post-reconstruction operative CDI was used routinely in all
operations. In 16 operations (28.6%), post-reconstruction CDI diagnosed
vascular defects such as intimal flaps (n = 4), anastomotic stenoses (n =
7), and in situ bypass arteriovenous fistulas (n = 4). Vascular defects at
eight operations required immediate repair. Operative CDI had advantages
over B-mode imaging in (1) detection of preoperatively unknown vascular
abnormalities before reconstruction, (2) faster recognition of vascular
defects after reconstruction, (3) unique ability to detect problems (i.e.,
arteriovenous fistulas) that were unidentifiable by B-mode imaging, and (4)
provision of supplemental blood flow information.
