Brachial index does not reflect upper extremity functionality following surgery for vascular trauma

Abstract

Objectives: Vascular injuries to the upper extremities requiring surgical repair are common after accidents. However, neither postoperative functionality nor hemodynamic status of the extremity are routinely described. We evaluated the postoperative functional and hemodynamic status of patients with vascular traumas in the upper extremities. Methods: 26 patients who suffered penetrating vascular traumas in the upper extremities from November 2008 to December 2011 were retrospectively evaluated. Data on first approach, surgical technique employed and early postoperative outcomes were recorded. Further data on the post-discharge period, including clinical functional status of the arm, Doppler ultrasonography and brachial-brachial index were also evaluated. Results: Average follow up was 33.5±10.8 months. Right (1.05±0.09) and left (1.04±0.08) brachial indexes were measured during follow up,. Doppler ultrasonography showed arterial occlusion in 4 patients (15%). Near-normal brachial-brachial indexes was observed in all four of these patients with occlusion of one of the upper extremity arteries, even though they exhibited limited arm function for daily work. Conclusions: Evaluation of the postoperative outcomes of this small series of patients with penetrating vascular traumas in the upper extremity revealed that 15% of them suffered occlusion of one artery of the upper extremity. Artery occlusion did not correlate with brachial-brachial Doppler index, probably due to rich collateral circulation, but occlusion was associated with an extremity that was dysfunctional for the purposes of daily work. The result of the brachial-brachial index does not therefore correlate with functionality.Keywords: arterial injury; trauma; upper extremity; brachial-brachial index; multidisciplinary approach. ResumoObjetivos: Os vasos das extremidades superiores são frequentemente lesados em razão de acidentes. Nós pesquisamos a funcionalidade dos membros superiores com base nos resultados cirúrgicos, além do acompanhamento de lesões de outros órgãos e tecidos. Métodos: Entre novembro de 2008 e dezembro de 2011, 26 pacientes foram encaminhados ao nosso serviço de emergência em razão de lesões vasculares traumáticas da extremidade superior, sendo avaliados retrospectivamente. O atendimento inicial aos pacientes, assim como os diagnósticos e as variedades de tratamento, foram avaliados. Após a alta hospitalar, os pacientes foram acompanhados pelo eco-Doppler e pelo índice tornozelobraço. Resultados: O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 33,5±10,8 meses. Durante o seguimento, os índices braquiais direito (1,05±0,09) e esquerdo (1,04±0,08) foram medidos. Na ultrassonografia Doppler, foi observada obstrução arterial em quatro pacientes. Devido à circulação colateral, o índice tornozelo-braço foi próximo do normal nesses pacientes; entretanto, eles apresentavam limitações funcionais dos membros superiores acometidos, para o trabalho diário. Conclusões: Traumas penetrantes são frequentemente observados em adultos jovens. Esses pacientes d...