PEDAL ARTERIES ANGIOPLASTY FOR LOWER LIMB ISCHEMIA: CLINICAL INSIGHTS FROM GENERAL SURGERY

Abstract

Abstract
In the realm of general surgery, addressing lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is paramount due to its significant impact on patients' functional capacity, often leading to claudication, rest pain, and tissue loss. Arterial revascularization stands as the cornerstone in preventing limb loss, with the presence of pedal artery disease posing challenges to wound healing. This study, spanning from June 2020 to January 2022, conducted an interventional assessment on 30 consecutive critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients undergoing infra-genicular endovascular revascularization within the context of general surgery. Employing the innovative Planter Loop Technique, patients were categorized into three groups based on the success of pedal artery angioplasty: complete, incomplete, and non-successful. Post-procedural foot angiography delineated varying degrees of achievement, corroborated by notable enhancements in ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI). Notably, patients who underwent successful pedal artery angioplasty exhibited superior relief from rest pain and expedited wound healing compared to counterparts with incomplete or non-successful procedures. These findings underscore the burgeoning preference for endovascular interventions in general surgical practices, particularly emphasizing the efficacy of pedal-plantar arch angioplasty in augmenting tissue perfusion and expediting wound recovery in CLI patients.