Closure Of Foot Wounds Research Articles

Preliminary Experiences with Early Primary Closure of Foot Wounds after Lower Extremity Revascularization

The costs associated with local wound care after revascularization can be significant, and it has been suggested that early closure or healing of foot wounds can be a source of cost savings. We sought to determine the safety and effectiveness of attempts to primarily close chronic foot wounds early after revascularization. We performed a single-center 1-year review of patients who underwent primary wound closure during the same hospitalization as revascularization. Seven patients underwent an attempt at early primary wound closure. Most (71%) were diabetic. The wounds were primarily closed at a median of 6 days after revascularization (range 3-8 days). The limb-salvage rate at 6 months was 86%. Four patients remained completely healed with primary closure. One healed secondarily with wound care, and 2 required major amputation. Wound-closure techniques included the use of toe/forefoot amputations, skin grafting, and local flaps. Early primary closure after revascularization may be a safe technique to consider for carefully selected foot wounds without ongoing soft tissue infection.

Outcomes following Distal Bypass Graft Occlusion in Diabetics

The objectives of this study were to define clinical outcomes following distal bypass graft occlusion in diabetic patients and identify factors predictive of limb loss. A retrospective review was conducted of all distal graft occlusions over a 5-year period in diabetic patients. Popliteal grafts, perioperative (30 days) failures, and redo distal bypasses were excluded. Eighty grafts were studied (43 cases done for ulcers, 31 for gangrene, and 6 for rest pain). Time to occlusion averaged 13 +/- 17 months post-bypass (median 6 months). Interventions following graft occlusion (lysis, thrombectomy, revision, or new bypass) were carried out in only 26 cases, leading to limb salvage in 11 cases (42%). This compares to a limb salvage rate of 54% in the 54 cases where no intervention was done ( p = NS). The overall amputation rate was 50% (14 AKAs and 26 BKAs). The interval between graft occlusion and amputation averaged 2 +/- 2 months. Limbs saved were followed an average of 14 +/- 11 months after graft occlusion. The presence of a foot wound (new or old) was associated with a higher likelihood of amputation (67% vs. 32% for cases with no foot wounds at the time of bypass failure; p < 0.005). In cases requiring an amputation, the toebrachial index averaged 0 +/- 0 post-bypass failure vs. 0.2 +/- 0.2 in cases where limbs were saved ( p < 0.05). Patients with congestive heart failure or who were nonambulatory at the time of graft occlusion were more likely to end up with an amputation ( p < 0.05). Limb loss was also more likely when gangrene had been the initial operative indication. No other factors were predictive of limb loss, including vein configuration, inflow or outflow level, prior bypass revision, known graft stenosis, time to occlusion, age, gender, other medical conditions, pre- or post-bypass ABI or TBI, graft velocities, or use of anticoagulants. Limb loss following primary distal bypass failure in diabetics is high. Repeat interventions have limited success. The findings justify aggressive programs of graft maintenance, and vigorous attempts at early closure of foot wounds.