Below-knee Amputation Research Articles

Ballooning and Bursting of Barrels and Pipes: A Rare Case of Suspected Vascular Ehlers–Danlos Disease

Vascular Ehler–Danlos disease (vEDS), a rare subtype of a rare disease, is a life-threatening disease, with an increased risk for spontaneous vascular or visceral rupture. These patients have fatal complications ranging from vascular aneurysms, dissection, and rupture of systemic vessels to frequent thromboembolic events, the common causes of death in these individuals with a shortened life span. In the present case, a 28-year-old male with history of shoulder dislocations and spontaneous colon perforation presented to the primary care clinic with right lower extremity swelling and pain. His history includes presentation to the emergency department with left lower leg swelling with compartment syndrome one year prior. A CT angiogram of lower extremities and abdomen revealed acute arterial extravasation of the left posterior tibial artery, indicating a ruptured aneurysm along with aneurysms of the splenic artery and left common iliac artery. He was treated with a saphenous vein graft, but was associated with post-operative complications that necessitated below-knee amputation. CT angiogram of his right leg revealed occlusion of the anterior tibial and peroneal arteries with aneurysms, and, ultimately, he was referred to a tertiary care center for aneurysm embolization. This case report emphasizes the frequent vascular complications encountered in vascular EDS patients, and thus advocates for close and regular monitoring for early referral and surgical management of their vascular anomalies. Finally, genetic counseling and screening of asymptomatic family members should be routinely implemented in these patients.

Surgical Complications after Targeted Muscle Reinnervation at a Safety-Net Hospital.

Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) and regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) can reduce neuroma formation and phantom limb pain (PLP) after lower extremity (LE) amputation. These techniques have not been studied in safety-net hospitals. This study aims to examine the surgical complication rates after TMR and/or RPNI at an academic safety-net hospital in an urban setting. This was a retrospective review of patients older than 18 years who had prior above-knee guillotine amputation (AKA) or below-knee guillotine amputation (BKA) and underwent stump formalization with TMR and/or RPNI from 2020 to 2022. Demographics, medical history, and operative and postoperative characteristics were collected. The primary outcome was any surgical complication, defined as infection, dehiscence, hematoma, neuroma, or reoperation. Univariate analysis was conducted to identify variables associated with surgical complications and PLP. Thirty-two patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 52 years, and 75% were males. Indications for amputation included diabetic foot infection (71.9%), necrotizing soft tissue infection (25.0%), and malignancy (3.1%). BKA was the most common indication for formalization (93.8%). Most patients (56.3%) had formalization with TMR and RPNI, 34.4% patients had TMR only, and 9.4% had RPNI alone. The incidence of postoperative complications was 46.9%, with infection being the most common (31.3%). The median follow-up time was 107.5 days. There was no significant difference in demographics, medical history, or operative characteristics between patients who did and did not have surgical complications. However, there was a trend toward higher rates of PLP in patients who had a postoperative wound infection (p = 0.06). Overall complication rates after LE formalization with TMR and/or RPNI at our academic safety-net hospital were consistent with reported literature. Given the benefits, including reduced chronic pain and lower health care costs, we advocate for the wider adoption of these techniques at other safety-net hospitals.

A Comparative Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Free Tissue Transfer, Partial Foot Amputation, and Below-Knee Amputation in High-Risk Limb Salvage Patients.

The surgical decision for limb-salvage with free tissue transfer (FTT), partial foot amputation (PFA), or below-knee amputation (BKA) for complex lower extremity (LE) wounds hinges on several factors, including patient choice and baseline function. However, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) on LE function, pain, and QoL for chronic LE wound interventions are limited. Thus, the study aim was to compare PROMs in patients who underwent FTT, PFA, or BKA for chronic LE wounds. PROMs were collected via QR code for all adult chronic LE wound patients who presented to a tertiary wound center between June 2022 and June 2023. A cross-sectional analysis of patients who underwent FTT, PFA, or BKA was conducted. The 12-Item Short Survey (SF-12), PROM Information System Pain Intensity (PROMIS-3a), and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) were completed at 1, 3, and 6 months and 1, 3, and 5 years postoperatively. Patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative characteristics, and amputation details were collected. Of 200 survey sets, 71 (35.5%) underwent FTT, 51 (25.5%) underwent PFA, and 78 (39.0%) underwent BKA. Median postoperative time points of survey completion between FTT (6.2 months, IQR: 23.1), PFA (6.8 months, IQR: 15.5), and BKA (11.1 months, IQR: 21.3) patients were comparable (P = 0.8672). Most patients were male (n = 92, 76.0%) with an average age and body mass index (BMI) of 61.8 ± 12.6 years and 30.3 ± 7.0 kg/m2, respectively. Comorbidities for FTT, PFA, and BKA patients included diabetes mellitus (DM; 60.6% vs 84.2% vs 69.2%; P = 0.165), peripheral vascular disease (PVD; 48.5% vs 47.4% vs 42.3%; P = 0.790), and chronic kidney disease (CKD; 12.1% vs 42.1% vs 30.8%; P = 0.084). No significant differences were observed between FTT, PFA, and BKA patients in mean overall PROMIS-3a T-scores (49.6 ± 14.8 vs 54.2 ± 11.8 vs 49.6 ± 13.7; P = 0.098), LEFS scores (37.5 ± 18.0 vs 34.6 ± 18.3 vs 38.5 ± 19.4; P = 0.457), or SF-12 scores (29.6 ± 4.1 vs 29.5 ± 2.9 vs 29.0 ± 4.0; P = 0.298). Patients receiving FTT, PFA, or BKA for chronic LE wounds achieve comparable levels of LE function, pain, and QoL postoperatively. Patient-centered functionally based surgical management for chronic LE wounds using interdisciplinary care, preoperative medical optimization, and proper patient selection optimizes postoperative PROMs.

Below-knee amputation with an ultrasonic scalpel: evaluation of early postoperative clinical outcomes.

Despite the development of microscopic reconstructive techniques for lower limb salvage, major limb amputation is still required for critical, unsalvageable lower leg wounds, with steadily increasing estimates of major limb amputations. In this study, the authors highlight a surgical technique for below-knee (BK) amputation using an ultrasonic scalpel, and evaluate its safety and effectiveness compared with the conventional method of using surgical blades. A retrospective chart review was conducted at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, Republic of Korea, on patients who underwent BK amputation between October 2012 and January 2021. Patients were assigned to two groups: amputation using classical methods, such as surgical blades and electrocautery (group A); and amputation using an ultrasonic scalpel (group B). Numerous perioperative factors, such as operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications and recovery time were examined. The present study adhered to the STROBE guidelines. A total of 41 patients (16 in group A and 25 in group B) were included in this study. Operation time was significantly shorter in group B (p=0.001) and intraoperative blood loss was lower (p=0.011). Wound healing time did not vary between groups. In this study, the use of an ultrasonic scalpel for lower limb amputation was effective in reducing operation time and blood loss, which may be helpful in improving outcomes for patients with comorbidities.

Metastatic Malignant Pseudomyogenic Hemangioendothelioma: An Exceedingly Rare Entity That Challenges Conventional Paradigms.

Pseudomyogenic hemangioendothelioma (PMHE), a rare soft tissue tumor predominantly affecting young adults, often presents as multiple nodules in various tissue planes of a limb. Malignant transformation and metastatic disease are unusual and pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. A 17-year-old patient from Western India, with a history of recurrent excisions for a toe swelling presented to our center for evaluation and management. A below-knee amputation was performed, and histopathology revealed PMHE. Adjuvant therapy was deemed unnecessary given the borderline nature of the tumor. Shortly thereafter, he developed features of local recurrence and underwent above-knee amputation. An expert histopathological review confirmed the diagnosis and noted features of malignant transformation-progression to a higher grade with greater cytological atypia, confluent growth, and increased mitotic activity over time. Upon further distant progression in the lung, he was started on a palliative regimen of weekly paclitaxel, vinblastine, and propranolol but eventually succumbed to his illness. In contrast to conventional descriptions of low mitotic activity, minimal nuclear atypia, and absence of necrosis, our patient exhibited increased mitotic rates, nuclear atypia, and evolving necrosis in serial histopathological evaluations. The fulminant clinical progression within a short interval was also atypical. Our patient's clinical course underscores the need for meticulous histopathological and molecular characterization and vigilant clinical surveillance after resection in patients with PMHE. Providing the standard of care for malignant disease in the adjuvant setting is challenging owing to the rarity and the lack of treatment guidelines.

Characteristics of Individuals Admitted to Vascular Surgery Service for a Major Lower Limb Amputation From 2017 to 2021 With Present on Admission Pressure Injuries.

The purpose of this study was to describe characteristics of persons admitted from 2017 to 2021 with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who required a below knee amputation (BKA) or above knee amputation (AKA), including present on admission pressure injuries (POA-PIs). Descriptive, cross-sectional retrospective research design. The sample comprised 196 patients who underwent a total of 258 major lower limb amputations. A majority (65.9 %n=170) underwent BKAs and 88 (34.1 %) underwent AKAs. Coronary artery disease was present in 107 (54.6 %) and 143 (73.0%) had diabetes mellitus. The study site was a 670-bed level 1 trauma center in the Southeastern United States. A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing major lower limb amputations using CPT codes 27880 BKA, and 27590 AKA was completed. Variables extracted included age, sex, race, and comorbid conditions such as smoking, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, end stage renal disease requiring dialysis, and POA-PI. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, and means) were used to describe the sample. There were 25 (12.8%) individuals with POA-PI compared with 171 (87.2%) who did not have POA-PI. None of the reviewed significantly differed when patients with or without POA-PI were compared. Age was closest to statistical significance (P=.052). In addition, analysis revealed that 73% (n=143) of individuals had diabetes mellitus in addition to having PAD. Approximately 13% of a group of patients with PAD had POA-PI when admitted to hospital for major limb amputation. Analysis of multiple factors found that none significantly differed between patients with or without POA-PI. Age came nearest to statistical significance and we hypothesize that older age may increase the risk for POA-PI; additional research in samples with greater power to detect this effect are needed. Findings also indicate that diabetes mellitus is a common risk factor for major lower limb amputation. It is important to educate staff/patients/caregivers on the importance of PI prevention especially in the elderly vascular population who are at risk for undergoing major lower limb amputations.

When the Going Gets Tough: A Review of Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Ipsilateral Above- and Below-Knee Amputation.

Life expectancy and overall function of amputated patients have improved significantly over the last few decades; for this reason, amputees are more exposed to primary or secondary degenerative disease of the hip, requiring total hip arthroplasty (THA) surgery. However, during training, not all the surgeons acquire adequate skills to manage these patients, and only a few studies and case reports describe technical pearls and outcomes of THA in patients with ipsilateral lower limb amputation, either above or below the knee. The objective of this narrative review is to present current evidence and surgical tips for performing THA in ipsilateral amputated patients, with a focus on the differences between patients with above- (AKA) and below-knee amputation (BKA). We reviewed manuscripts in major scientific databases, cross-referencing to retrieve adjunctive manuscripts, and summarized all relevant cases. We found 17 manuscripts, spanning 70 years of literature, collecting a total of 39 patients who underwent THA on an ipsilateral amputated limb: 13 AKA, 23 BKA, and 3 through-knee-amputation (TKA). The cohort primarily consists of patients with post-traumatic hip arthritis, often associated with sequelae such as fractures to other bones, soft tissue compromise and heterotopic calcifications. Managing with amputated patients requires careful planning, which includes the study of the residual bone, muscle anatomy, and the level of femoral amputation, as these factors present significant surgical challenges, especially in patients without a knee joint. In dealing with the post-traumatic and multi-comorbidity patients, rehabilitation goals should be considered prior to surgery and should drive the surgical strategy. We found that BKA patients typically have high functional demands, necessitating precise positioning of the components and an aggressive post-operative physiotherapy regimen to avoid unsatisfactory outcomes. AKA patients, on the other hand, often present with altered anatomy, and typically require more surgical instruments and expertise to achieve intraoperative dislocation of the hip joint.

Exploring Revision Total Ankle Arthroplasty Failures A Comparison Between Failed and Successful Revision Cases

This study assesses the comorbidities that are associated with failed revision total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and explores the outcomes following a failed revision TAA. A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of patients who underwent a revision TAA at a single institution from 2008 to 2022. Patients were identified as having revision failure if they required explantation, below-knee amputation (BKA), or a revision of either metal component. Statistical analysis was performed to identify any significant differences and summarize outcomes. The study included a total of 87 patients who underwent revision TAA with 12 patients who subsequently experienced revision failure. The revision TAA failure rate was 13.8%. There were higher rates of former smokers (58.3%; n = 7) and a history of diabetes (33.3%; n = 4) in the failure cohort, although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Limb salvage procedures were achieved in 11 cases (91.7%). Approaches for failed revision TAAs included arthrodesis (n = 5) with 2 isolated ankle arthrodesis (AA) and 3 tibio-talo-calcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis, an additional revision arthroplasty (n = 6), or amputation (n = 1). Ankle arthroplasty retention was successful in 6 cases (50.0%). Our results demonstrate that a second revision approach was chosen in half of the cases, underscoring its viability as a successful intervention according to patient preferences. Level of Evidence: III

The home-based mirror therapy in the reduction of phantom limb pain in unilateral below-knee amputees

The home-based mirror therapy in the reduction of phantom limb pain in unilateral below-knee amputees

Pediatric calcaneal osteomyelitis: an analysis of literature-reported 128 cases

BackgroundCalcaneal osteomyelitis (CO) poses a formidable challenge in treatment due to the distinct anatomical structure and functional properties of the calcaneus. The present study endeavors to furnish a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the clinical manifestations, therapeutic strategies, and therapeutic outcomes pertaining to pediatric calcaneal osteomyelitis (PCO) by conducting a meticulous synthesis and analysis of cases reported in the literature.MethodsA systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify English-language studies analyzing PCO between 2000 and 2021. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) assessment scale. Effective data were extracted and analyzed.ResultsA total of 42 studies, encompassing 128 patients, fulfilled the established inclusion criteria. The gender distribution revealed a male-to-female ratio of 2:1 (81 boys and 40 girls). The median age at the time of diagnosis was 8 years, while the median duration of symptoms was 0.6 month. Trauma emerged as the primary etiology (41 cases, 54%), and limited activity was the most prevalent symptom (68 cases). The positive rate for pathogen culture was 75.4% (49/65), with Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly isolated pathogen (28 cases, 57.1%). Surgical intervention was performed in 51% (64/126) of the patients, with debridement serving as the primary surgical strategy. The rate of infection recurrence was 6.8% (8/118), and the risk of below-knee amputation was 0.8% (1/124).ConclusionsPCO occurred more frequently in male patients, with trauma being the primary underlying cause and Staphylococcus aureus being the most prevalent bacterial pathogen isolated. Over half of the patients underwent surgical intervention. Nonetheless, it is imperative that treatment strategies undergo further refinement, as approximately 7% of patients experienced infection recurrence.

Peripheral Nerve Blocks as a Predictor of Nerve Reconstruction Success After Major Limb Amputation.

Postamputation pain is a spectrum of debilitating sensations that impacts millions of people in the United States. While the development of postamputation pain, including phantom limb pain (PLP), is multifactorial, it has been associated with disorganized axonal sprouting, resulting in a neuroma and subsequent central nervous system changes. Nerve reconstruction surgeries, such as regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) and targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR), provide transected nerve fibers with proper target organs for reinnervationand have been shown to significantly reduce PLP. This case series aims to describe perioperative peripheral nerve blocks as a diagnostic tool for identifying patients who would benefit from RPNI or TMR. We conducted a retrospective search of patients who underwent major extremity amputation and who received a diagnostic peripheral nerve block before undergoing reconstructive nerve surgery (TMR and/or RPNI). Six patients (58-80 years old) with below-knee amputations (BKA) were examined. All patients experienced a reduction in postamputation pain (PAP), specifically PLP, after a diagnostic peripheral nerve block (PNB). The average time between amputation and revision surgery was approximately two years (Mean: 22.35 months). Following surgical intervention, all patientsreported a reduction in PLP episodes after nerve reconstruction surgery. Two patients no longer reported PLP.Ambulation rates also improved following revision (50% vs 83%). PNBs can be used as an effective diagnostic tool to identify patients that will significantly benefit from amputation revisions with TMR or RPNI.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging appearance of regenerative peripheral nerve interface

PurposeTo describe the MRI appearance of Regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) and the potential association between the MR appearance and RPNI revision. Material and methodsA retrospective assessment was undertaken of the MR appearance of RPNIs performed at our institution between 1/1/2010- 7/29/2023 with clinical correlation. Results14 patients (8 males, 6 females, age range 31-80 years, median age- 51 years) with technically adequate MRI of RPNIs were included in this study including 5 patients with below knee amputation (BKA) with 5 tibial and 4 CPN RPNI, 8 patients with above knee amputations (AKA) with sciatic RPNIs and one patient following forequarter amputation with a brachial plexus RPNI. Two patients had undergone revision RPNI surgery x3 (AKA-sciatic nerve) for a total of 6 RPNI revisions. On T1 weighted sequences, all RPNIs were isointense to muscle and blended with the surrounding scar and muscle tissues while on T2 weighted sequences, all RPNIs were hyperintense in signal compared to muscle. All but one RPNI underwent post contrast enhancement in variable patterns. No statistically significant difference in MR appearance was found between RPNIs with or without a following RPNI revision surgery. ConclusionRPNI on MRI typically have a bright and intermediate signal on T2 and T1 weighted sequences accordingly, and typically undergo postcontrast enhancement in variable patterns without a statistically significant difference between cases with and without a following RPNI revision. Enhancement of RPNI should not be misconstrued as pathological.

ThP8.1 - Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 related disruption of NHS Elective services on Emergency Major Lower Limb Amputations

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the healthcare systems worldwide since the dawn of 2020. In March 2020, the United Kingdom government announced the first national lockdown which severely disturbed all NHS healthcare elective services. Our aim is to assess the long-term impact of COVID-19 related disruption of NHS elective services on emergency major lower limb amputations. Method Patients' data for emergency major lower limb amputations (MLLA) for critical limbthreatening ischemia and diabetic foot infections performed at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was collected through Trakcare® and divided into the control pre-pandemic group (April 2018 to March 2020) and the pandemic group (April 2020 to March 2022). The statistical analysis was conducted using the IBM SPSS software [v28.0.1.1 (14)]. Results A total of 358 patients underwent MLLA and 206 (57.5%) of these had diabetes mellitus. There was a 17% increase in the number of urgent referrals and every one in five of these finally underwent an amputation. There was an increase in the absolute number of Above- and Below-Knee amputations. There was a statistically significant increase by 33% in emergency MLLAs during the pandemic period (p-value <0.05). A total of 165 postoperative deaths up to December 2022 were recorded with 30-day mortality rate of 7.26% (n=26). Conclusion NHS vascular management groups should update themselves with evolving technologies to optimise the care provided during future unprecedented times. Furthermore, more effective measures should also be implemented to avoid delayed presentations, which can potentially lead to higher rates of major limb amputations.

Exploring the mortality and cardiovascular outcomes with SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with T2DM at dialysis commencement: a health global federated network analysis

BackgroundSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) have demonstrated associations with lowering cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the impact of SGLT-2is on individuals at dialysis commencement remains unclear. The aim of this real-world study is to study the association between SGLT-2is and outcomes in patients with T2DM at dialysis commencement.MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study of electronic health records (EHRs) of patients with T2DM from TriNetX Research Network database between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2024. New-users using intention to treatment design was employed and propensity score matching was utilized to select the cohort. Clinical outcomes included major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and all-cause mortality. Safety outcomes using ICD-10 codes, ketoacidosis, urinary tract infection (UTI) or genital infection, dehydration, bone fracture, below-knee amputation, hypoglycemia, and achieving dialysis-free status at 90 days and 90-day readmission.ResultsOf 49,762 patients with T2DM who initiated dialysis for evaluation, a mere 1.57% of patients utilized SGLT-2is within 3 months after dialysis. 771 SGLT-2i users (age 63.3 ± 12.3 years, male 65.1%) were matched with 771 non-users (age 63.1 ± 12.9 years, male 65.8%). After a median follow-up of 2.0 (IQR 0.3–3.9) years, SGLT-2i users were associated with a lower risk of MACE (adjusted Hazard Ratio [aHR] = 0.52, p value < 0.001), all-cause mortality (aHR = 0.49, p < 0.001). SGLT-2i users were more likely to become dialysis-free 90 days after the index date (aHR = 0.49, p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of ketoacidosis, UTI or genital infection, hypoglycemia, dehydration, bone fractures, below-knee amputations, or 90-day readmissions.ConclusionsOur findings indicated a lower incidence of all-cause mortality and MACE after long-term follow-up, along with a higher likelihood of achieving dialysis-free status at 90 days in SGLT-2i users. Importantly, they underscored the potential cardiovascular protection and safety of SGLT-2is use in T2DM patients at the onset of dialysis.

Limb salvage using radical combined hyperthermia and radiotherapy for myxofibrosarcoma of the lower leg in an elderly patient.

Soft tissue sarcomas account for only 1.5% of malignant tumors in adults and are therefore challenging to treat. We present a case of myxofibrosarcoma of the lower leg in an 88-year-old woman who successfully responded to combined hyperthermia and radiotherapy. We proposed a below-knee amputation because of the spread of the lesion, but the patient opted for hyperthermia with radiotherapy. One and a half years later, the tumor partially regrew, and the regrown mass was resected with an R0 margin. Unfortunately, the patient developed a surgical site infection immediately after the resection, and a skin ulcer formed. It took about 2years for conservative treatment to result in complete ulcer epithelization. The patient has been ambulant, and has not experienced any symptoms of local recurrence or metastasis in the two and a half years since the surgery. Although adverse events related to combined hyperthermia and radiotherapy, such as delayed wound healing, should be considered, it could be an option for the treatment of localized soft-tissue sarcoma, especially in elderly patients.

Prevalence and factors associated with psychological morbidity, phantom limb Pain in lower limb amputees

BackgroundLower limb amputation can lead to psychological problems.There is a lack of data to evaluate the psychological problems and associated factors in lower limb amputees. AimPrevalence and factors associated with psychological disorder and phantom limb pain in lower limb amputees MethodsIt was a cross-sectional study with a consecutive sampling technique. Patients were assessed on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for the presence of depression and anxiety disorder. DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder were used, andphantom limb pain was diagnosed as defined by Pare. Results103 patients were included in the present study with a mean age of37.7 ± 14.5 yrs. The majorityof patients were males (87.4 %), married (69.9 %), on paid employment (95.1 %), and were of middle socioeconomic status (83.5 %). Most of the patients presented with roadside accident injuries (83.5 %)and had below-knee amputation (58.3 %). As per DSM-5, 38.8 % had a substance use disorder, out of which 35.9 % and 24.3 % had alcohol and tobacco use disorders, respectively. On HADS, 48.5 % had a presence of depressive disorder, and 30.1 % had anxiety disorder. The majority of patients (97.1 %) had phantom limb pain. Those from rural areas reported significantly more frequency of anxiety (x2-5.501; p-0.019) and depressive disorder (x2-7.009; p-0.008). Lower incomehad a significant positive association with depression (r-0.228; p-0.021) and phantom limb pain (U-22.500; p-0.008). ConclusionThe prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in lower-limb amputeeswas very high. The most common psychological morbidity was depression,followed by anxiety disorder and substance use disorders.Our findings reflect that we would benefit by including mental health professionals asintegral members of the multidisciplinary team to do an early psychological assessment and intervention, which would help prevent psychological illnesses and improve quality of life.

Parasacral ischial plane block for lower limb surgeries: A case series

The para-sacral ischial plane block (PIP block) is a novel fascial plane approach targeting the sacral plexus. This technique simplifies the process as direct visualization of the sacral plexus or sciatic nerve is unnecessary. This retrospective case series includes ten patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II-IV, aged over 18 years, undergoing elective or emergency lower limb surgeries such as debridement and below-knee amputation between May 2023 and November 2023. The block was performed in ≤ 6 minutes for all patients. Onset of subjective analgesia was almost immediate in those presenting with pain. Sensory loss occurred within 9 to 12 minutes. Motor block in the sciatic nerve distribution did not reach Grade 2 in any patient. Hemodynamic stability was notably maintained in all high-risk cases. Intraoperative supplementation with ketamine was required for one patient. The PIP block is a quick, easy-to-perform technique that offers satisfactory surgical conditions and hemodynamic stability in high-risk patients undergoing lower limb surgeries. It also provides prolonged postoperative analgesia and early resumption of oral intake with minimal procedural discomfort.

Long-term results of treatment of Gustilo-Anderson type 3A-B tibia fractures due to combat-related high-energy ballistic injuries treated with external circular fixator: Experience of the Military Medical Academy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the longterm outcomes of open tibia fractures treated using the Ilizarov external circular fixation (ECF) technique in the Military Medical Academy. Between January 1992 and December 2011, a total of 134 male military personnel (median age: 22.5 years; range, 18 to 36 years) with Gustilo-Anderson type 3 open tibia fractures treated with ECF were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent multiple surgeries and eventually Ilizarov fixation surgery. The radiological and functional outcomes were evaluated using the Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) criteria, and complications were noted. The median follow-up was 17.7 (range, 10 to 29) years. The median time to union was 4.7 (range, 3 to 8) months. All frames were removed from the limb, when union was observed. No re-fracture, limb length discrepancy more than 2.5 cm, or below-knee amputation after Ilizarov treatment was seen in any patient. Chronic osteomyelitis was observed at in 40% (n=54) of the patients at a median time ranging from 17 to 148 months. The overall ASAMI bone scores were excellent in 40 (30%), good in 20 (15%), fair in 20 (15%), and poor in 54 (40%) patients with osteomyelitis. The ASAMI functional scores were excellent in 40 (30%), good in 40 (30%), and fair in 54 patients (40%). No poor score was observed. Minor pin site infections were observed in 63 patients (47%). Our long-term study results showed that all patients returned to their social life and were mobilized without support after treatment with the use of Ilizarov ECF method of open tibia fractures caused by high-energy ballistic injuries. However, complications such as pin tract infections and osteomyelitis after several years must be kept in mind in the treatment of comminuted bone fractures caused by firearms and ballistic missiles injuries.

The Use of the Pedicled Nonislanded Foot Fillet Flap to Avoid an Above-the-Knee Amputation after Trauma.

Lower extremity trauma can have a devastating effect on the quality of the life of patients. To avoid limb amputation and its associated social stigma, many patients spend years undergoing multiple costly procedures, with prolonged hospital stays, all the while hoping for an elusive limb salvage. People with lower limb amputation experience higher energy requirements for walking, reduced aerobic capacity, and slower walking speeds, when compared with people with normal limbs. A below-knee amputation (BKA) is functionally superior to an above-knee amputation. Between 2012 and 2023, five patients underwent BKAs with a nonislanded foot fillet flap reconstruction of the BKA stump. Four of these patients had undergone previous multiple procedures in attempts at limb salvage. While two patients had sustained recent trauma, three were operated on electively. All the BKA stumps healed without any complications. Only one patient complained of phantom limb pain. One patient will require the reconstruction of a lateral knee collateral ligament. This case series demonstrates the versatility of the pedicled foot fillet flap in addressing the different complications of lower extremity injury that may result in an unusable limb. The utility of this technique is especially valuable in low-resource settings where the built environment may be unfriendly to nonbipedal ambulation, and an urgent need for a return to economic productivity. Because prostheses are fairly accessible in Kenya, return to ambulation and economic productivity are anticipated following a BKA.

Exploring the Effect of Preamputation Employment and Income on Ambulation in Dysvascular Lower Extremity Amputees After Amputee Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between 2-minute walk test (2MWT) distance, employment status, and median household income in adult dysvascular amputee patients after a 6-week rehabilitation program. DesignRetrospective cohort study. SettingAmputation rehabilitation program. ParticipantsIn total, 505 patients were included in the analysis. Most (71.1%) were men and had below-knee amputations (78.3%); the average age was 65.3±11.6 years. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome Measures2MWT distance at discharge. ResultsMen (68.3±32.6m) and below-knee amputation amputees (70.9±32.0m) walked significantly further than women (58.8±30.0m; P=.003) and above-knee amputees (47.2±25.7m; P<.001), respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between 2MWT distance and age (r=−.32; P<.001) as well as time from consultation to admission (r=−.23; P<.001). An unadjusted general linear model (GLM) revealed that employment status (F2,446=17.47; P<.001) but not income (F4,446=.714; P=.58) was statistically significantly associated with 2MWT distance. An adjusted (age, sex, time from consult to admission, and amputation level) GLM revealed employment status remained significant (F2,434=5.59; P=.004) and income remained insignificant (F4,434=.43; P=.784). Differences in 2MWT distance between employment and income groups did not meet clinical significance. ConclusionsPreamputation employment appears to be associated with postrehabilitation outcomes.