A study on POSSUM score system used in the treatment of lower limb arteriosclerosis obliterans

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the POSSUM scoring system as preoperative risk assessment approaches for lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (LEASO).Methods A retrospective study was undertaken in 108 patients ( 120 limbs) diagnosed as long segment LEASO from January 2008 to October 2010,in which,67 patients (74 limbs) receiving percutaneous transluminal stent (PTS) treatment were included into PTS group,and 41 patients (46 limbs) undergoing femoral artery to popliteal artery bypass treatment into bypass group.Rutherford classification was used to evaluate degree of chronic ischemia for lower limb and ankle/brachial index (ABI) for the treatment results in these two groups.The score of POSSUM,physiological score and physiological score without age interference were calculated respectively to estimate the risks for operations in two groups.Results The chronic ischemia conditions for two groups were similar (P =0.543 ).Postoperative follow-up was done for 9 - 15 months,there were no difference between two groups for limb salvage ( P =0.556 ) and patency rate ( P =0.632 ).Risk evaluation for patients: POSSUM score for the PTS group (33 ± 7 ) was similar with that of bypass group ( 32 ± 6 ) ( P =0.369 ) ; Physiological score of POSSUM for PTS group ( 24 ± 7 ) was more than that of bypass group ( 22 ±7) (P =0.033) ; Physiological score without age interference in PTS group (22 ±6)was higher than that of bypass group ( 19 ± 6) (P =0.035).Condusious The physiological score of POSSUM could assess the health status of patients with LEASO,which is more useful for pre-vascular surgery evaluations. Key words: Arterial occlusive diseases; Angioplansty; Risk assessment; Bypass