Postoperative assessment of arterial reconstructive surgery using Doppler flow detection.

The ankle systolic pressure was measured by the Doppler flow detector during the postoperative course after arterial reconstructive surgery in 61 limbs. The ankle systolic pressure was expressed as a pressure index (PI). There were 2 patterns in the recovery of PI after successful reconstructions. In one of these patterns, PI returned to the normal level within 24 hours. The other group represented a delayed recovery of PI. A comparative study between these 2 groups indicated that the delay in the recovery of PI may be chiefly related to a poor distal run-off. There was no relationship between the recovery pattern of PI and the late patency of reconstructed arteries. On the other hand, follow-up examination by means of the ankle pressure measurement was useful to detect new occurrences of stenotic lesions in the postoperative period.