Mid-term results of combined medical and popliteal artery endarterectomy treatment in Buerger's disease

Aim: Our aim in this article is to present the mid-term results of the best preoperative and postoperative medical treatment and analgesia treatment in patients with advanced Buerger's disease who underwent saphenous patchplasty and saphenous distal bypass after endarterectomy to the popliteal artery or trifurcation area. Material and Methods: Between 2015 and 2023, we operated on 83 patients, diagnosed with Buerger's disease, who were in the chronic stage of the disease, and whose advanced imaging was performed. Preoperative, postoperative, and 1st year control evaluations were determined according to Rutherford, Fontaine classification, and Ankle-Brachial Indexes. Medical treatments of the patients were organized by the vascular surgery team and algology department. After determining the surgical approach strategy according to the imaging of the patients, saphenous patchplasty and anatomical bypass were performed. Results: The mean preoperative ankle-brachial index was 0.305, the mean postoperative ankle-brachial index was 0.644, and the mean 1-year ankle-brachial index was 0.629 in 83 patients included in the study. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the Rutherford and Fontaine classifications. (p-value < 0,001) Amputation was performed in 9.6% of patients within 1 year. Conclusion: Good clinical results and limb salvage can be achieved with a combined medical and surgical treatment approach in advancedstage patients who do not respond despite optimal medical treatment. Provided that patients quit smoking, good determination of the target surgical site, Saphenous patchplasty, and Saphenous distal bypass applied after endarterectomy in suitable patients are supported with good medical and analgesia treatment, the results will improve further.