ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of Ilizarov technique-based transverse tibial bone transport on the treatment of severe diabetic foot ulcer (Wagner grades 3 to 5) complicated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).MethodsBetween August 2014 and December 2017, 33 patients with severe diabetic foot and SIRS were treated with Ilizarov technique-based transverse tibial bone transport. There were 27 males and 6 females, with a mean age of 60.6 years (range, 34-79 years). All of them suffered from type 2 diabetes mellitus. The duration of diabetes was 1-28 years (mean, 10 years) and the duration of diabetic foot was 1-12 months (mean, 2.7 months). According to Wagner classification, there were 8 cases in grade 3, 23 cases in grade 4, and 2 cases in grade 5. The wound healing condition was observed after operation, and the limb salvage rate was calculated. The changes in body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein concentration were assessed. The skin temperature of the dorsum of the foot was measured, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the improvement of foot pain.ResultsAll 33 patients were followed up 3-30 months (mean, 14.1 months). All ulcers healed and the healing time was 3-12 months (mean, 5.3 months); the limb salvage rate was 100%. Postoperative body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein concentration were significantly lower than those before operation (P<0.05). The skin temperature of the dorsum of the foot was (32.64±2.17)℃ at 1 month after operation, which was significantly improved when compared with preoperative value [(31.28±1.99)℃] (t=0.05, P=0.00); but there was no significant difference in skin temperature compared with healthy side [(32.46±2.10)℃] (t=2.04, P=0.41). The VAS score was 2.4±0.7 at 1 month after operation, which was significantly improved when compared with preoperative score (4.3±0.8) (t=3.10, P=0.00).ConclusionIlizarov technique-based transverse tibial bone transport is an effective way to treat severe diabetic foot complicated with SIRS. It can promote foot ulcer healing and avoid amputations.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness of femoral-femoral artery bypass grafting combined with transverse tibial bone transporting in treatment of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) or combined with diabetic foot. MethodsBetween March 2014 and June 2016, 9 patients with lower extremity ASO or combined with diabetic feet were treated with femoral-femoral artery bypass grafting and transverse tibial bone transporting. All patients were male, aged from 63 to 82 years with an average of 74.2 years. The disease duration of ASO was 1.5-22.0 months (mean, 10.5 months). All cases were severe unilateral iliac arterial occlusion, including 5 cases of the left side and 4 cases of the right side. There were 7 cases with superficial femoral and/or infrapopliteal artery disease. There were 7 cases of ASO and 2 cases of ASO combined with diabetic foot (Wagner grade 4); all the ASO were grade Ⅳ according to Fontaine criteria. All patients had rest pain before operation, and the ankle brachial index was 0.24±0.12. In femoral-femoral artery bypass grafting operations, artificial blood vessels were used in 7 cases and autologous saphenous vein were used in the other 2 cases. The tibial bone transverse transporting began on the 8th day after operation by 1 mm per day and once per 6 hours; after transported for 2-3 weeks, it was moved back. The whole course of treatment was 10-14 weeks. ResultsThe incision of tibial bone transverse transporting was necrotic in 1 case, and healed after dressing change. There was no obvious complication at the orifice of the needle. The other patients had no incision complication. The granulation tissue of foot wound was growing quickly after tibial bone transverse transporting, and the wound was reduced after 2-3 weeks. All the 9 patients were followed up 12-32 months (mean, 19 months). The ankle brachial index was 0.67±0.09 at 2 months postoperatively, which was significantly higher than that before operation (t=17.510, P=0.032). All the feet ulcer wounds healed and the healing time was 6.7-9.4 weeks (mean, 7.7 weeks). During follow-up, color Doppler ultrasound or CT examination revealed grafted blood vessel patency. The external fixator was removed at 12-14 weeks after operation. One case died of sudden myocardial infarction at 14 months after operation, and there was no lymphatic leakage. The patency rate of femoral-femoral bypass was 100% at 1 year after operation. The tibial transverse bone grafting healed with tibia at 4-6 months after operation. At last follow-up, the effective rate was 100%. ConclusionFemoral-femoral artery bypass grafting combined with transverse tibial bone transporting is an effective method in the treatment of lower extremity ASO or combined with diabetic foot.
ObjectiveTo summarize the effectiveness and experience of Wanger grade 3-5 diabetic foot treated with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) combined with transverse tibial bone transport.MethodsBetween March 2015 and January 2018, 21 patients with refractory diabetic foot who failed conservative treatment were treated with VSD combined with transverse tibial bone transport. There were 15 males and 6 females, aged 55-88 years (mean, 65 years). The diabetes history was 8-15 years (mean, 12.2 years). The duration of diabetic foot ranged from 7 to 84 days (mean, 35.3 days). The size of diabetic foot ulcer before operation ranged from 2 cm×2 cm to 8 cm×5 cm. According to Wanger classification, 8 cases were rated as grade 3, 11 cases as grade 4, and 2 cases as grade 5. Among the 21 cases, angiography of lower extremity before operation was performed in 5 cases, CT angiography of lower extremity in 16 cases, all of which indicated that the arteries below the knee were narrowed to varying degrees and not completely blocked. Preoperative foot skin temperature was (29.28±0.77)℃, C-reactive protein was (38.03±31.23) mg/L, leukocyte count was (9.44±2.21)×109/L, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.8±1.5, and ability of daily living (Barthel index) was 54.3±10.3.ResultsAfter operation, 2 patients with Wanger grade 4 and smoking history failed treatment and had an major amputation (amputation above ankle joint) at 30 days and 45 days after operation, respectively. One patient with Wanger grade 5 and chronic heart failure died of cardiac arrest at 60 days after operation. The remaining 18 patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 9.2 months). The external fixator was removed at 40-62 days after operation, with an average of 46 days. All the wounds healed, with a healing time of 50-120 days (mean, 62.5 days). The pain of 18 patients’ feet was relieved obviously, and there was no recurrence of ulcer in situ or other parts. There was no complication such as tibial fracture and ischemic necrosis of lower leg skin after operation. After ulcer healing, the foot skin temperature was (30.86±0.80)℃, C-reactive protein was (22.90±18.42) mg/L, VAS score was 2.4±1.2, and Barthel index was 77.3±4.6, all showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); the leukocyte count was (8.91±1.72)×109/L, showing no significant difference (t=1.090, P=0.291).ConclusionVSD combined with transverse tibial bone transport can effectively promote the healing of Wanger grade 3-5 diabetic foot wounds, but smokers, unstable blood glucose control, and chronic heart failure patients have the risk of failure.