The Penile Brachial Index in the Preoperative Evaluation of Arterial Hypogastric Insufficiency

Abstract

Two hundred and 30 patients with occlusive arterial disease of the legs were examined by angiography and penile brachial index (P.B.I.) obtained with ul trasound technique.

Forty-two cases had no reduction or less than 20% reduction of the cross section area of hypogastric artery the penile brachial index was 1,01 ± 0,056 in basal conditions, 0,96±0,078 after 5 minutes ischemia and 1,02±0,059 5 min utes after ischemia.

Ninety cases presented a reduction of cross section area of hypogastric artery between 20 and 75% the P.B.I. was 0,85±0,086 in basal conditions, 0,74±0,114 after 5 minutes ischemia and 0,82±0,105 5 minutes after ischemia.

Ninety-eight cases presented a reduction of cross section area of hypogastric artery of 75% and more, the P.B.I. was 0,45±0,15 during basal conditions, 0,26 ± 0,11 after 5 min. ischemia and 0,34±0,13 5 min. after ischemia.

Therefore, determination of P.B.I. can be considered as a valuable tool in the study of the hypogastric circulation.

Such a study is of value particularly before rectum surgery in the preopera tive evaluation of the blood supply to the rectal stump and after hemicolectomy, with ligation of mesenteric artery at the emergency from aorta.