Aim:We evaluated the mid-term outcome of distal venous arterialization (DVA), and the role of a combined free flap as a bridgehead for blood supply.
Methods:In the past 6 years, 9 patients with extensive tissue loss and lucking graftable distal arteries underwent DVA. These consisted of 4 primary DVAs, 3 combined DVA and free flap procedures, and 2 adjuvant DVAs for hemodynamically failed distal bypasses.After 9 primary DVAs, 3 redo DVAs were performed for early failure. Etiologies were 4Buerger's disease and 5 arteriosclerosis obliterans, including 3 dialysis patients.Results: Among the 9 DVA cases, there were 5 primary failures, consisting of 2 who underwent amputation, 2 had successful redo DVA, and the remaining one did not require redo-DVA. Primary patency, secondary patency, and limb salvage rates were 44.4%, 55.6%, and 77.8%. The postoperative period was 1-36 months (median 12 months). Angiography demonstrated DVA was effective in the early period, and development of collaterals or a capillary network from the free flap replaced the DVA function in the intermediate period.Conclusion: DVA can be effective as a procedure for limb salvage in patients without graftable distal arteries, and a combined free flap is effective and functions as a bridgehead for blood supply to the ischemic zone.