J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 84(7): 638-642, 1983

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Original article

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF TRANSCUTANEOUS OXYGEN TENSION MEASUREMENT FOR LOWER LIMB ISCHEMIA

Transcutaneous oxygen tension (t_cPO₂) of superficial layer of the foot at 44°C was studied preoperatively in 33 patients (38 legs) with arteriosclerosis (ASO) or thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). The cases were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 3 legs, amputated. The second group consisted of 35 legs, not amputated but receiving such treatments as arterial bypass, lumbar sympathectomy or conservative therapy.
The t_cPO₂ index was calculated by dividing the t_cPO₂ of the chest wall by the t_cPO₂ of the foot. The value of the t_cPO₂ of the chest decreased in proportion to the advance of age. There was no significant differences in the t_cPO₂ indices between ASO and TAO, nor among different sites of peripheral vascular occlusion.
On the other hand, as the grade of Fontaine classification increased, the t_cPO₂ index reduced, with significant difference between grade II and IV.
The t_cPO₂ index of the amputated group was 0.08±0.04. In contrast, the t_cPO₂ indices of the lumbar sympathectomy, arterial bypass and conservative therapy groups were 0.74±0.18, 0.84±0.12 and 0.74±0.13, respectively. There was significant difference between the amputated and non-amputated groups.
From our results, it is suggested that oxygen tension measured transcutaneously is a useful indicator for the decidion of operative indication and surgical procedure.

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