Buerger's disease in eastern Anatolia

Abstract

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is very frequent in eastern Anatolia. In a ten-year period 204 Buerger's disease patients were diagnosed in Atatürk University Research Hospital. The patients were 18 to 45 years old (mean 28.4 years). Of these patients 185 were chronic smokers, 124 were from a lower socioeconomic level, and 137 were living in a cold climate. Cryoglobulin was positive in 48 patients.

The diagnosis was established by physical examination, Doppler ultrasonography, angiography, and pathologic examination.

Bilateral lumbar sympathectomy was done in 127 cases, unilateral lumbar sympathectomy in 49. Bilateral thoracic and lumbar sympathectomy was done in 10 cases. In 103 cases digital ulcers were detected. Ankle-brachial indexes increased by 0.1–0.2 by the fourth day after sympathectomies, and skin temperature increased by 2–3 °C.

In 72 patients complete wound healing was achieved; 21 patients had one finger amputation, and 10 patients have undergone major amputations.