A modified scintigraphic technique for amputation level selection in diabetics

A modified 123I-antipyrine cutaneous washout technique for the selection of amputation levels is described. The modifications imply a reduction of time needed for the examination by simultaneous recordings on different levels, and a better patient acceptance by reducing inconvenience. Furthermore, both skin perfusion pressure (SPP) and skin blood flow (SBF) are determined from each clearance curve. In a prospective study among 26 diabetic patients presenting with ulcers or gangrene of the foot, both SPP and SBF were determined preoperatively on the selected level of surgery and on adjacent amputation sites. These 26 patients underwent 12 minor foot amputations and 17 major lower limb amputations. Two of these amputations failed to heal. SBF values appeared indicative for the degree of peripheral vascular disease, as low SBF values were found with low SPP values. SPP determinations revealed good predictive values: all surgical procedures healed when SPP greater than 20 mmHg, but 2 out of 3 failed when SPP less than 20 mmHg. If SPP values would have been decisive, the amputation would have been converted to a lower level in 6 out of 17 cases. This modified scintigraphic technique provides accurate objective information for amputation level selection.     

Predictive value of 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy for healing of extremity amputation

Purpose Although various non-invasive procedures have been proposed to determine the optimal level of amputation of limbs in patients who have vascular disease, currently there are no consistent criteria that can be applied before surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ^99mTc-sestamibi imaging can accurately predict the healing of amputation sites. Methods In a prospective study in 26 patients (21 men, 5 women; age range 23–94 years) presenting with ulcers or gangrene of the foot and hand, ^99mTc-sestamibi imaging was performed preoperatively. The indications for amputation included gangrene (23 patients), electrical injury (2 patients) and trauma (1 patient) of extremities. Although the amputation levels were chosen according to clinical criteria and scintigraphic results, the final amputation level was defined by scintigraphic results. Two below-knee, one above-knee, 12 toe, 11 transmetatarsal, two phalanx, one finger and one thumb amputations and one shoulder disarticulation were performed. In four cases, the amputation defect was not suitable for coverage using a local dermal flap; rather, it was covered with free tissue transfer. Patients had clinical follow-up for 6–36 months (mean 11.69 months) to assess healing of the stump. Scan results were compared with clinical outcome to assess prediction of healing. Results There was healing in all amputations at the end of the follow-up period. When evaluated regarding preoperative ^99mTc-sestamibi uptake pattern, there was no perfusion to the lesion site in 21 patients and perfusion to an area smaller than the extent of skin necrosis in four patients; thus, in these 25 patients, ^99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy suggested non-viable tissue in the extremities with clear-cut edges of perfused muscle tissue. Diffusely decreased uptake was seen below the left knee in one case. How scintigraphy changed management was analysed. The amputation levels proposed before scintigraphy were divided into two groups, “definite” (n=14) and “indefinite” (n=12), based on visual examination and Doppler findings. In nine patients in the definite group, the proposed amputation level before scintigraphy was not altered by the scintigraphic data. However, ^99mTc-sestamibi scan enabled unnecessarily high amputation levels to be avoided in 12 patients in the indefinite group and in five patients in the definite group. Therefore, there was change in management of 65% of cases based on scintigraphic findings. Conclusion Since healing of the stump was seen in all cases, outcome was correctly predicted by scintigraphy. This preliminary study supports the use of ^99mTc-sestamibi scan in selecting the optimal amputation level consistent with subsequent stump healing.     

糖尿病难愈创面治疗的临床研究

目的 探讨糖尿病难愈创面修复方法.方法 对206例糖尿病足部溃疡住院患者选择合适的手术方法进行修复.结果 206例糖尿病足部溃疡应用皮瓣修复者106例,占51.5%,Ⅰ期愈合率为85.8%.皮片移植122例,占59.2%,皮片移植成活率为79.5%.34例行单纯足趾截除46趾.56例行肢体高位截肢,占27.2%.132例获得6～18个月的随访,12例溃疡复发,复发率9.1%,其余创面愈合良好.结论 加强糖尿病知识的宣教,引导及时就诊,采用皮瓣和皮片移植修复创面,可有效降低糖尿病足部溃疡高位截肢率,是提高患者生活质量的关键.     

Amputation of the lower extremities in angiopathies and reamputation as a sequelae of postoperative complications]

In the period from January 1985 till January 1995 in the Clinic of Traumatology and Orthopedics of Military Medical Academy were treated 305 patients with 317 primary amputations of the lower extremities that were performed as the sequelae of ischemia and necrosis on the basis of occlusive changes, arteriosclerosis and diabetes. Out of the total number of operated patients, 210 were with diabetes mellitus. The amputations were performed at the level of: foot in 102 (32.17%), lower leg in 145 (45.74%) and upper leg in 70 patients (22.09%). Reamputations were performed in 52 patients (16.4%): at the level of foot in 22 (6.94%), lower leg in 17 (5.36%) and upper leg in 13 patients (4.10%). Tourniquet was used during the surgery of primary amputation in 56 patients.     

皮肤再生医疗技术治疗糖尿病足溃疡疗效分析

目的:分析、总结、探讨皮肤再生医疗技术在临床上治疗糖尿病足溃疡的可行性与有效性。方法:对32例糖尿病足溃疡住院病人采用皮肤再生医疗技术为主、必要时配合植皮的治疗方法进行局部创面修复。结果:32例糖尿病足溃疡应用皮肤再生医疗技术获得修复9例(占28.1％),皮肤再生医疗技术 皮片移植12例(占37．5％),皮肤再生医疗技术 皮瓣修复5例(占15．6％),进行截肢6例(占18．8％)。结论:及时就诊、及时采用皮肤再生医疗技术为主的治疗方法能有效修复溃疡创面、降低糖尿病足截肢率。     

Always Contact a Vascular Interventional Specialist Before Amputating a Patient with Critical Limb Ischemia

Patients with severe critical limb ischemia (CLI) due to long tibial artery occlusions are often poor candidates for surgical revascularization and frequently end up with a lower limb amputation. Subintimal angioplasty (SA) offers a minimally invasive alternative for limb salvage in this severely compromised patient population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of SA in patients with CLI caused by long tibial occlusions who have no surgical options for revascularization and are facing amputation. We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients with CLI due to long tibial occlusions who were scheduled for amputation because they had no surgical options for revascularization and who were treated by SA. A total of 26 procedures in 25 patients (14 males; mean age, 70 ± 15 [SD] years) were evaluated. Technical success rate was 88% (23/26). There were four complications, which were treated conservatively. Finally, in 10 of 26 limbs, no amputation was needed. A major amputation was needed in 10 limbs (7 below-knee amputations and 3 above-knee amputations). Half of the major amputations took place within 3 months after the procedure. Cumulative freedom of major amputation after 12 months was 59% (SE = 11%). In six limbs, amputation was limited to a minor amputation. Seven patients (28%) died during follow-up. In conclusion, SA of the tibial arteries seem to be a valuable treatment option to prevent major amputation in patients with CLI who are facing amputation due to lack of surgical options.     

糖尿病足截肢前后血管内介入治疗临床分析

目的评价糖尿病足患者截肢前、后血管内治疗的临床效果和必要性。方法14例患者,其中截肢前血管内治疗10例,截肢后治疗4例,累及血管包括股浅动脉、股深动脉和胫、腓动脉,其中17支血管行血管内球囊成型治疗,同时结合局部扩血管药物灌注。结果所有患者血管内治疗均获成功,所有患者肢体血供明显改善,有效促进截肢后伤口愈合。无并发症。结论糖尿病足截肢前、后血管内介入治疗是安全和有效的,具有积极作用。     

湿润烧伤膏结合PTA治疗糖尿病足的临床分析

目的:探讨湿润烧伤膏治疗糖尿病足溃疡及坏疽的临床疗效.方法:对77例(94条患肢)糖尿病足合并远端足趾溃疡及坏疽患者,在采用常规降糖、抗凝、溶栓、抗炎等基础治疗上,对其下肢闭塞动脉实施PTA术,对溃疡及坏疽肢体采用清创或/和局部截去坏疽肢体,术后分两组:对照组59条患肢给予常规换药;实验组35条患肢采用美宝油纱条给予覆盖创面换药,对比观察两者肉芽组织填充缺损封闭创面的时间,感染控制情况.结果:实验组的肉芽组织填充缺损封闭创面的时间(26.14天±4.01天)较对照组(30.31天±4.23天)明显缩短,实验组的局部感染控制显效率高于对照组.结论:美宝湿润烧伤膏结合PTA治疗糖尿病足溃疡及坏疽可使患肢肉芽组织填充缺损封闭创面的时间明显缩短,且皮缘长势好,基本不用植皮,而且能使患者的感染得到有效地控制,值得推广.     

Subintimal angioplasty of infrapopliteal artery occlusions in the treatment of critical limb ischaemia. Short-term results

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of subintimal infrapopliteal angioplasty (SIA) as a method for recanalization of occluded tibial arteries in the treatment of critical limb ischaemia (CLI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and September 2003, 20 patients with CLI were submitted to SIA; of these, 16 had diabetes mellitus. All patients had foot ulceration or gangrene and ten had rest pain. All patients were treated with SIA of one or more vessels of the popliteal district. Overall, thirty-four arteries of the infrapopliteal district underwent revascularization; in 9 cases, SIA of superficial femoral artery occlusions was associated. Technical success was evaluated on angiography at the end of the procedure: revascularization of at least one of the 3 leg vessels with re-establishment of arterial flow to the foot was regarded as a technical success. Pain relief (when pain was present) and healing of foot ulceration, without above-the-ankle major amputation (limb salvage), were defined as clinically successful. During the follow-up (mean: 9 months; range: 6-21 months) all patients were checked 6 months after the procedure by clinical examination and colour-Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: The technical success rate of SIA in the revascularization of the infrapopliteal vessels was 85%. In the 17 technically successful cases, pain had entirely resolved in 9/10 cases and trophic lesions of the foot healed in 14/17 cases. In this group, 9 patients underwent minor amputation; 2 underwent major above-the-ankle amputation; one underwent to surgery 20 days after the SIA and required a femoro-tibial by-pass. In the 3 cases of technical failure (15%), revascularization of the entire occluded tract could not be achieved. Of these, one patient subsequently underwent major amputation. Nine months after SIA, the cumulative limb salvage rate was 85% (17/20 clinically successful cases) and the survival rate was 90%. Colour-Doppler US at 6 months showed 70% primary patency. No major complication occurred during the procedure. Five minor complications in four patients were managed endovascularly or healed spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: SIA is a feasible and effective technique for foot revascularization in patients with CLI. Long occlusions or diffusely calcified arteries are suitable indications. Technical failure does not preclude conventional surgery. In patients treated with SIA, the risk of major amputation is low and mortality rate is nil. Minor complications can be managed using endovascular techniques.     

Biomechanical determinants of elite rowing technique and performance

In rowing, the parameters of injury, performance, and technique are all interrelated and in dynamic equilibrium. Whilst rowing requires extreme physical strength and endurance, a high level of skill and technique is essential to enable an effective transfer of power through the rowing sequence. This study aimed to determine discrete aspects of rowing technique, which strongly influence foot force production and asymmetries at the foot‐stretchers, as these are biomechanical parameters often associated with performance and injury risk. Twenty elite female rowers performed an incremental rowing test on an instrumented rowing ergometer, which measured force at the handle and foot‐stretchers, while three‐dimensional kinematic recordings of the ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar‐pelvic joints were made. Multiple regression analyses identified hip kinematics as a key predictor of foot force output (R² = 0.48), whereas knee and lumbar‐pelvic kinematics were the main determinants in optimizing the horizontal foot force component (R² = .41). Bilateral asymmetries of the foot‐stretchers were also seen to significantly influence lumbar‐pelvic kinematics (R² = 0.43) and pelvic twisting (R² = 0.32) during the rowing stroke. These results provide biomechanical evidence toward aspects of technique that can be modified to optimize force output and performance, which can be of direct benefit to coaches and athletes.     

Evaluation of arterial obstructive leg and foot disease by three-phase bone scintigraphy

BACKGROUND: The level selected for amputation should generally be the lowest compatible with tissue viability, with a reasonable expectation of wound healing in patients with arterial obstructive leg and foot disease, but determining the amputation level of an ischemic lower limb remains controversial. The general consensus is that a decisive and final decision about the amputation level should be made intraoperatively based on the extent of hemorrhage from the incised skin and soft tissue, and the degree of viability of the stump. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the extent of such hemorrhage, and thus suggest the level of amputation preoperatively, the author applied three-phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS) to assess the blood flow in the small arteries and capillary vessels. METHOD: TPBS was performed in patients scheduled to undergo lower limb amputation in an attempt to determine the appropriate amputation level preoperatively, objectively, and visually. Imaging results of this examination were compared with the clinical findings in three cases of arterial obstructive foot disease. RESULTS: The "capillary phase" depicted the perfusion of blood from the small arteries to the capillary vessels. Decreased accumulation in the capillary phase appeared as two distinctive states: one of clinically remarkable necrosis and the other of decreased blood flow in the small arteries and capillary vessels. The latter inevitably causes necrosis and infection postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that TPBS is an extremely useful tool in the evaluation of physiological dysfunction and the likely amputation level in patients with arterial obstructive leg and foot disease.     

下肢动脉硬化闭塞症截肢术后并发症的防治

为探讨下肢动脉硬化闭塞症截肢术后常见并发症的防治,对1996年1月至1998年12月严重下肢动脉硬化闭塞症患者14例（15条肢体）所施行的18次截肢术进行了回顾性分析。患者平均年龄72岁,术前并发症率为冠心病78．6％、高血压69．9％、糖尿病78．6％、血管重建术史43．4％。其中膝上截肢6次,膝下截肢7次,半足截肢1次,截趾术4次。术后并发心梗2例,残端坏死3例,创面感染1例,总并发症率33％。死亡2例。提示下肢截肢手术虽操作并不复杂,但临床上需行截肢术的下肢动脉硬化闭塞症患者多为高龄,且多合并症,常伴有肢体坏疽和脓毒症,手术耐受力极差; 术前应积极治疗并存病,准确判断截肢平面,术后注意心、脑功能维护,以及适当的心理指导是减少后并发症,改善患者生存质量的关键。     

Contribution of technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime labelled leucocyte scintigraphy to the diagnosis of diabetic foot infection

We conducted a prospective study in order to evaluate the contribution of technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO) labelled leucocyte scintigraphy to the diagnosis and follow-up of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot. The study was conducted between October 1992 and November 1996 and included 42 patients (30 men and 12 women; mean age 63 years) with diabetes mellitus (type 1, n = 22, type 2, n = 20) who had a total of 56 diabetic foot ulcers. The initial exploration included standard radiography, three-phase bone scintigraphy and ^99mTc-HMPAO labelled leucocyte scintigraphy (HMPAO-LS), performed within a 3-day interval. For the 56 ulceration sites, 26 cases of osteomyelitis were diagnosed: ten on the basis of radiographic and histological/bacteriological criteria after bone biopsy, 11 after radiographic follow-up and five on the basis of biopsy results alone. No osteomyelitis was present at 30 sites, there were seven cases of cellulitis. The sensitivity and specificity of ^99mTc-HMPAO-LS were 88.4% and 96.6% respectively (23 true-positives, 29 true-negatives, one false-positive, three false-negatives). The accuracy of radiography, ^99mTc-methylene diphosphonate and HMPAO-LS was 69.6%, 62.5%, and 92.9%, respectively. Follow-up scintigraphy (n = 14) 4 months after initial diagnosis and 1 month after antibiotic withdrawal confirmed cure of osteomyelitis despite the absence of complete clinical regression of the ulcers. In conclusion, ^99mTc-HMPAO labelled leucocyte scintigraphy was found to be an excellent method for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot. It can contribute to follow-up, particularly when clinical regression of perforating ulcers is incomplete and cure of osteomyelitis must be confirmed in order that antibiotic treatment may be discontinued. Received 10 July and in revised form 1 October 1997     

MEBO联合微粒皮种植术治愈1例糖尿病足截肢后残端创面

目的探讨糖尿病足创面的修复方法。方法对1例糖尿病足截肢患者截肢后的残端创面用湿润烧伤膏(MEBO)换药治疗30 d后,在肉芽组织中种植微粒皮修复创面。结果微粒皮种植术后65 d,患者截肢后残端创面完全愈合。结论 MEBO联合微粒皮种植术是一种全新的、技术要求简单、手术限制条件少,并且能降低截肢平面的治疗糖尿病足的方法。     

MEBO-DFU再生疗法治疗糖尿病足临床研究进展

近年来,糖尿病足的发病率呈现出快速上升的趋势,但其治疗仍是世界性难题。20余年的临床实践和基础研究证实,MEBO-DFU再生疗法治疗糖尿病足的疗效确切,该疗法能够为创面营造生理性湿润环境、液化排除坏死组织、减轻疼痛、防治感染、促进创面新生血管的形成和成熟、恢复患处神经功能,最终实现创面的生理性再生复原,不仅显著提高了糖尿病足溃疡创面的愈合率,而且还大大降低了截肢率。MEBO-DFU再生疗法治疗糖尿病足主要强调及时而规范的应用原则,尤其是规范应用至关重要。     

糖尿病足介入治疗的几个问题

糖尿病足的血管检查应以超声检查为首选,其次为CTA和MRA,最后为血管造影,DSA检查应视为金标准。糖尿病足病变主要由小动脉病变和微循环障碍引起,因此除局部血管成形,置放内支架外,局部药物灌注治疗极其重要。糖尿病是一个全身性疾病,糖尿病足的治疗不仅要注重血管腔内局部治疗,还应全身药物治疗,应用活血化瘀,改善微循环药物,包括糖尿病治疗。对糖尿病足疗效不只是评价血管狭窄与再狭窄,应该包括临床症状缓解情况,保肢和降低截肢平面等。     

地震所致下肢毁损伤截肢治疗分析

目的 分析下肢截肢手术适应证选择、并发症的发生及最终的结局. 方法 追踪5.12汶川大地震中现场截肢和在后方医院急诊F肢截肢手术的15例地震伤员的病例资料,分析下肢损伤的严重程度、截肢地点、截肢后是否开放及切口完全愈合拆线时间. 结果 15例中男9例,女6例,年龄11～51岁[(32±12)岁].截肢部位16处,GustiloⅢb 2例,GustiloⅢc 9例,Tschernen Ⅲ 5例.4例现场或帐篷截肢伤员术后均发生感染,行二次、高位、开放截肢手术.10例后方截肢伤员行一次性、高位、开放截肢,其中2例发生感染.1例后方截肢伤员进行的是高位截肢I期闭合切口,结果术后感染、切口流脓,出现菌血症. 结论 地震伤中现场和战地帐篷截肢术后发生感染概率非常高,后送后应尽早安排二次、开放截肢.地震伤员在后方医院采用一次性、高位、开放截肢对下肢毁损伤的治疗有重要意义.     

封闭负压引流技术在毁损性电击伤创面修复中的应用

目的探讨封闭负压引流技术（VSD）在毁损性电击伤创面修复中的应用效果。方法对33例这类创面早期、反复清创,VSD覆盖、引流的同时,促进肉芽生长;植皮与（肌）皮瓣相结合修复创面;早期截肢,多次截骨,VSD引流,创面清洁后封闭伤口。结果首次清创平均为伤后第7 d,最早为第3 d;17例截肢,有1例行3次截骨。11例单纯植皮,17例采用植皮加（肌）皮瓣消灭创面,5例单纯用（肌）皮瓣修复创面,均取得满意效果。结论 VSD结合植皮及（肌）皮瓣用于毁损性电击伤创面修复,使早期清创成为可能,能明显减轻患者的痛苦,缩短疗程,节约住院费用,并减轻医师的工作量。其修复效果好,操作简单,值得临床推广、应用。     

Between-day reliability of repeated plantar pressure distribution measurements in a normal population

The objective of this study was to determine the reliability of repeated plantar pressure distribution measurements during normal gait across multiple testing sessions. Testing sessions were conducted on 5 separate days at approximately the same time of day. Nine subjects (five males, four females, age 26 ± 8.4 years) who were free of any musculoskeletal injury were recruited. A capacitive pressure distribution platform (EMED AT, Novel GmbH, Munich, Germany), sampling at 50 Hz was used to collect plantar pressure patterns during barefoot walking at a self-selected speed. Four parameters were investigated: peak pressure, maximum force, impulse, and contact time, and these were investigated in 10 areas of the foot after using the PRC mask method of subdividing the foot into ten anatomical areas of interest. Individual means of all the five repeated trials for each foot were calculated, and these values were used to calculate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficients of variation (CoV) for all parameters. The results of this investigation show a generally good level of reliability, the quality of which is dependent on the region of the foot and the parameter investigated. Areas with typically high loading characteristics, such as the central forefoot showed a higher level of reliability in the ICC's (>0.9) than less loaded areas such as the medial midfoot (<0.8). The conclusion of this study is that plantar pressure distribution measurements can be used in comparative evaluations since the measures of repeatability are satisfactory for the parameters and foot regions usually used in the investigation of clinical populations such as neuropathic diabetics.     

Factors associated with a risk of prosthetic knee buckling during walking in unilateral transfemoral amputees

BackgroundWalking and mobility are essential for a satisfactory quality of life. However, individuals with transfemoral amputations have difficulties in preventing falls due to prosthetic knee buckling, defined as the sudden loss of postural support during weight-bearing activities. The risk of prosthetic knee buckling can be evaluated by determining the prosthetic knee angular impulse (PKAI) during the early stance phase. However, little is known about the factors associated with PKAI in individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputations.Research questionWhat are the demographic factors that can be associated with the risk of prosthetic knee buckling, quantified by PKAI, during walking in individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputations?MethodsThirteen individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputations were instructed to perform level walking at a comfortable, self-selected speed on a straight, 10-m walkway. PKAI was calculated as the time integral of the prosthetic knee external flexion–extension moment during the initial 40 % of the prosthetic gait cycle. We used Pearson’s correlation coefficients to examine the relationship of PKAI with the following variables: the subject’s body height, body mass, and age; the time since amputation; and the current prosthesis use history. Furthermore, an independentt-test was used to compare PKAI according to the sex (male vs. female) and etiology (trauma vs. nontrauma).ResultsPKAI exhibited a significant negative linear relationship with the subject’s body height and body mass. However, it showed no significant correlation with age, the time since amputation, and the current prosthesis use history. It was also significantly greater in women than in men and was not significantly influenced by the etiology.SignificanceAwareness about demographic factors associated with PKAI during walking can contribute to fall assessments in gait rehabilitation programs for individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputations.