Function after through-knee compared with below-knee and above-knee amputation.

Fifty-nine amputees, 24 below-knee (BK), 17 through-knee (TK) and 18 above-knee (AK) who had prosthetic replacements, were evaluated using a questionnaire which provided a quantitative and qualitative assessment scale for the prosthetic function. The ability to apply or don the prosthesis was noted in 100% of the BK, 70% of the TK and 56% of the AK amputations (p < 0.001). Daily use of the prosthesis was recorded in 96% of the BK, 76% of the TK and 50% of the AK amputations (p < 0.001). A higher level of amputation resulted in a significantly lower degree of rehabilitation (p < 0.05). The qualitative evaluation shows that the higher the level of amputation, the lower the usefulness of the prosthesis. Four percent of the BK, 12% of the TK and 39% of the AK amputees had no use whatsoever of their prosthesis (p < 0.01). From a functional standpoint, TK amputation should always be considered as the primary alternative to AK amputation when a BK amputation is not feasible.     

A case of heterotopic transplantation after bilateral traumatic above-knee amputations

This paper describes a case in which a young woman's two lower limbs were crushed and amputated from the upper part of the thighs by a train. She was in serious hypovolemic shock at the time. With rapid infusion of intravenous fluids, she recovered from shock quickly, avoiding acute renal failure and ARDS. Heterotopic transplantation was performed. Two years later, the limb which had undergone heterotopic transplantation had partly restored function.     

Perioperative morbidity in diabetics requiring coronary artery bypass surgery

We retrospectively evaluated the operative results in 384 patients with diabetes mellitus operated on for ischemic coronary artery disease over a six-year period compared with a random group of 396 patients selected from 2,069 nondiabetic patients who underwent operation during the same study period. In our analysis of 13 preoperative and 5 intraoperative variables, diabetics revealed a significantly increased incidence of hypertension (p less than 0.05) and a smaller proportion of men (p less than 0.05). All other variables were not significantly different. The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction, renal failure, neurological sequelae, leg infections, or thromboembolic events was similar in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Hospital stay, however, was significantly increased in the diabetic group (p less than 0.05). The diabetic patients requiring intraaortic balloon counterpulsation had a significantly higher incidence of all postoperative complications analyzed compared with diabetics without balloon support (p less than 0.01), whereas the nondiabetic subset requiring intraaortic balloon counterpulsation exhibited only a significantly higher incidence of renal failure (p less than 0.01) and neurological complications (p less than 0.05). These results indicate that diabetes per se does not significantly increase morbidity in coronary bypass surgery.     

Sagittal flaps in below-knee amputations in Chinese patients

Forty-five Chinese patients had below-knee amputation by a sagittal flap technique; 84% for ischaemia. Satisfactory healing was obtained in over 90%, but complications and failure were more common in patients with diabetes mellitus. A modified sagittal flap is recommended.     

Intranasal mupirocin reduces sternal wound infection after open heart surgery in diabetics and nondiabetics

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine whether decreasing nasal bacterial colonization by applying Mupirocin (MPN) intranasally decreases sternal wound infections. METHODS: We prospectively followed 992 consecutive open heart surgery (OHS) patients who did not receive MPN prophylaxis (group I) from January 1, 1995 to October 31, 1996. Group II consisted of 854 consecutive patients followed prospectively from December 1, 1997 to March 31, 1999 treated with intranasal MPN given on the evening before, the morning of OHS, and twice daily for 5 days postoperatively. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the rate of overall sternal wound infections between the untreated (group I) and the treated group (group II): 2.7% (27 of 992) versus 0.9% (8 of 854) (p = 0.005). The difference was also significant in the diabetic subgroup: 5.1% (14 of 277) (group I) versus 1.9% (5 of 266) (group II) (p = 0.04) and the nondiabetic group: 1.8% (13 of 715) (group I) versus 0.5% (3 of 588) (group II) (p = 0.03). The cost of MPN treatment was $12.47 per patient compared with $81,018 +/- $41,567 for a deep wound infection with no antibiotic-related complications recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic intranasal MPN is safe, inexpensive, and very effective in reducing the overall sternal wound infections by 66.6%.     

Total hip arthroplasty in patients with below-knee amputations

We present a unique small group of 5 patients with below-knee amputation who underwent total hip arthroplasty after a displaced subcapital fracture of the femur. Three patients were operated on after failed fixation of the fracture, and 2 were operated on as a primary procedure. All 5 patients resumed their prefracture level of activity and mobilization with no deterioration during follow-up (average, 69 months [range, 22-98]). These encouraging results call for use of total hip arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty as the primary treatment modalities of patients with displaced subcapital femoral head fracture in an extremity with below-knee amputation.     

Vascular ring: Early and long-term mortality and morbidity after surgical repair

Background

Vascular ring is a rare cause of recurrent respiratory infections, dysphagia and stridor. Surgical repair is considered safe but the long-term outcomes are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mortality and morbidity following vascular ring surgery in a single institution.

结直肠癌患者围手术期并发症和病死率的研究

目的研究一家教学医院结、直肠癌患者住院期间的并发症和病死率情况。方法收集北京大学第三医院1992—2005年903例结、直肠癌患者的资料,对住院期间的并发症和病死率进行分析研究。结果903例患者中,结肠癌518例,占57.4%;直肠癌385例,占42.6%。住院期间并发症的总发生率为21.8%(197/903),结肠癌为18.3%(95/518),直肠癌为26.5%(102/385)。其中会阴部伤口感染、腹部伤口感染、肺部感染、肠梗阻较常见。吻合口漏的发生率为1.2% (8/717),在结肠癌为0.8%(4/518),直肠癌为2.0%(4/199)。2000年前、后并发症的总发生率没有明显变化。急诊手术的伤口感染、肺部感染、腹腔内感染的发生率明显高于择期手术。结、直肠癌患者住院期间病死率为1.0%。急诊手术的病死率为3.8%(3/80),择期手术为0.5%(2/438)(P= 0.028)。结论2000年后新技术的引入并没有改变结、直肠癌患者住院并发症的发生率。     

Perioperative interventions to modify risk of morbidity and mortality

Perioperative myocardial ischemia is the single most important, potentially reversible risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular complications during and after noncardiac surgery. The influence of anesthetic choices and techniques on cardiac risk in noncardiac surgery is difficult to ascertain because of the low incidence of morbid cardiac outcomes in the surgical population as a whole. This article summarizes several areas (eg, perioperative betablockade, glucose management, and perioperative hemodynamics) that have been addressed in well-designed clinical trials.     

Perioperative morbidity and mortality of coronary artery surgery after the age of 70 years

The aim of this study was to compare the actual perioperative (operative and hospital) morbidity and mortality of coronary bypass surgery in patients aged 70 years or older and patients aged 69 years of younger. From January 1987 to September 1988, 102 patients aged 70 years or older underwent isolated aortocoronary bypass surgery. They were compared with the younger patients operated in the same period. Preoperative, operative and postoperative data were analyzed. There was no significant difference between the mortality and morbidity of the two groups. Morbidity was evaluated according to several parameters, low cardiac output, prolonged ventilation, cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attacks, pulmonary problems, psychosis, renal failure, wound problems and reoperations. Because this is a limited experience it may be premature to conclude than older patients can be operated on as safely as their young counterparts, but this study shows that age is not in itself a risk factor.     

Perioperative morbidity and mortality after reconstruction for metastatic tumors of the proximal femur and acetabulum

An observational cohort study was performed on 90 hip arthroplasties performed in 84 patients for metastatic disease of the hip. Significant improvement was noted with both 3-month and 6-month function scores vs preoperative function scores (P < .001). Complications included 1 intraoperative femur fracture, 2 cases of deep venous thrombosis, 1 peroneal nerve palsy, 1 deep infection, and 5 dislocations. Eight (8.8% of 90 procedures, 9.4% of 84 patients) patients died during the initial hospital stay. Although the risk of mortality after hip arthroplasty for metastatic diseases is perhaps higher than previously expected, improvement in postoperative function scores in surviving patients was significant and perioperative morbidity in this complex patient population was acceptably low.     

Perioperative factors as predictors of operative mortality and morbidity in pneumonectomy

Pneumonectomy for lung cancer is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for the morbidity and mortality have been reported, but consistent conclusive data are undetermined. Current accepted 30-day mortality rates for pneumonectomy range from 7 to 11 per cent. The objective of this study is to determine whether various perioperative factors can serve as predictors of morbidity and mortality in pneumonectomy patients and to review outcome data on patients undergoing pneumonectomy for lung cancer. A total of 105 patients undergoing pneumonectomy for lung cancer from 1988 through 1998 are studied in a retrospective chart review. The main outcome measure is the 30-day operative mortality and morbidity. Complications occurring in 10 per cent or more of the patients included atrial fibrillation (33.3%), respiratory failure (23.8%), pneumonia (21.9%), and bronchopleural fistula (12.4%). The 30-day mortality rate was 10.5 per cent (11 deaths). By Fisher's exact test for Chi-square only three statistically significant mortality factors were identified: respiratory failure (P < 0.021), sepsis (P < 0.008), and male sex (P < 0.031); respiratory failure, sepsis, and sex were predictors of death. Significant correlation could not be made to predict postoperative morbidity. Overall long-term clinical outcome for pneumonectomy as lung cancer treatment was poor. Clinical judgment remains an essential factor when considering pneumonectomy as an option for lung cancer treatment.     

Predictors for mortality after lower-extremity amputations in geriatric patients

BACKGROUND: The identification of independent predictors for operative and long-term mortality after lower-extremity amputations in the geriatric population would allow targeted management for high-risk patients and appropriate allocation of resources. METHODS: Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors for operative mortality. Life tables and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated. Independent predictors for long-term mortality were tested by log-rank test followed by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Female gender, congestive heart failure, and high-level amputation were identified as independent predictors for operative mortality (odds ratios 4.14, 4.59, and 4.77, respectively). The logistic regression model showed good calibration and discriminative power. Female gender, high-level amputation, cerebrovascular accident, congestive heart failure, noncommunity ambulation, and institutionalization before amputation were associated with an increased risk for long-term mortality. However, only high-level amputation, congestive heart failure, and noncommunity ambulation remained as independent risk factors after Cox regression analysis (relative risks 1.68, 2.08, and 2.10, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Extra care should be given to patients identified with independent predictors for operative and long-term mortality.     

Decreased morbidity and mortality after pancreatoduodenectomy

In two 5 year periods (1975 to 1979 and 1980 to 1984), 96 patients underwent pancreatoduodenal resection, which included 74 partial pancreatic resections and 22 total pancreatectomies. Thirty-seven of these patients had resections with preservation of the pylorus. Substantial reductions in perioperative mortality (2 percent versus 10 percent) and morbidity (26 percent versus 49 percent) (p less than 0.05) were achieved in the latter period. Pylorus preservation, with a mortality and morbidity of 3 percent and 27 percent, respectively, did not increase operative risk or compromise long-term survival in patients with malignant disease. In comparison, relatively high mortality and morbidity rates (14 percent and 59 percent) accompanied total pancreatectomy without improved long-term survival. Five year actuarial survival for nonpancreatic periampullary adenocarcinomas was 58 percent. Thus, we recommend pancreatoduodenectomy with preservation of the pylorus for resection of periampullary tumors. These patients, whose only possibility for cure is a major pancreatic resection, should not be denied this opportunity on the basis of reports from a previous era.     

Rehabilitation after lower limb amputation: a comparative study of above-knee, through-knee and Gritti-Stokes amputations

A study of 169 unilateral amputees under three Disablement Services Centres was performed. The study comprised 88 above-knee, 54 through-knee and 27 Gritti-Stokes amputations. Satisfactory rehabilitation occurred in 33 per cent of above-knee, 62 per cent of through-knee and 44 per cent of Gritti-Stokes patients (56 per cent overall). The better rehabilitation of through-knee versus above-knee amputees (P less than 0.02) was also found in a group of patients matched for comparable age and duration of amputation as well as in a group of age-matched vascular amputees. Through-knee amputees relied significantly less on wheelchairs than above-knee (P = 0.016) and Gritti-Stokes (P = 0.05) amputees. The prosthesis used for the through-knee and Gritti-Stokes amputations was considered unsightly in 50 per cent of cases (versus 31 per cent for the above-knee prosthesis). The superior rehabilitation with through-knee amputations should prompt us to improve both our technique for this amputation and the prostheses currently available. A through-knee amputation should be performed in preference to an above-knee amputation in the case where either is surgically possible, and a below-knee amputation not feasible.     

A comparison of diabetics and nondiabetics with threatened limb loss

One hundred seventeen patients with threatened limb loss were evaluated. Seventy-three of these patients underwent vascular reconstruction. Diabetics had a significantly higher incidence of ischemic ulceration and gangrene when compared with nondiabetics. Nondiabetics typically presented with rest pain. The outcome of foot salvage surgery was evaluated by postoperative ankle-branchial indices as well as limb salvage rates. Ankle-brachial indices increased significantly in both groups. Fifty-five percent of the diabetics and 67 percent of the nondiabetics had a postoperative ankle-brachial index of 0.8 or greater. Overall foot salvage at 1 year was 84 percent. Foot salvage in patients with diabetes was 78 percent compared with 86 percent in nondiabetics. In this subset of patients with threatened limb loss confirmed by hemodynamic measurements, the results of vascular reconstruction were comparable in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients.     

Late mortality and morbidity in recipients of long-term renal allografts

The experience of the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital with 217 renal allografts functioning for more than 5 years is reviewed. Patient and graft survival were similar after 5 years, with patient survival being 88 and 66% at 10 and 15 years, respectively, and graft survival 85 and 75% at the same time intervals. Actuarial graft survival at 15 years was higher than patient survival because death with a functioning graft was not considered to be graft failure. No differences in patients or graft survival were found between living related and cadaver donor allografts. There were 33 deaths (15.2%), occurring from 5 1/2 to 20 1/2 years post-transplantation. Chronic liver failure and sepsis were the most common causes of death. Thirty-two patients (14.7%) lost their grafts after 5 years, most commonly from chronic rejection. Another 33 patients (15.2%) had evidence of graft dysfunction secondary to chronic rejection, recurrent glomerulonephritis, ureteral obstruction, or renal artery stenosis. Chronic rejection was generally not responsive to alterations in immunosuppressive medication. Complications of varying severity were common affecting 204 (94%) of the patients. The most frequent were hypertension, cataracts, avascular necrosis, malignancy, urinary tract infection, and pneumonia. These data demonstrate that transplant-related mortality and morbidity continue to occur in recipients of long-term renal allografts. These patients require careful and continuing care in medical centers experienced in transplantation.