Objective To assess the curative effect of percutem transilluminated with negative pressured on the potaried technique on the treatment of venous ulcer in lower extremity. Methods The clinical date of 300 cases involving 300 legs with venous ulcer in lower extremity， who underwent the percutum transilluminated negative pressured potaried technique using TRIVEXTM Ⅱ potaried system or the percutum transfixion surgical treatment from October 2005 to June 2009, were analyzed. Three hundred cases were randomly divided into potaried group and transfixion group. In potaried group, there were 190 cases involving 190 legs treated with TRIVEXTM Ⅱ potaried system. In transfixion group, 110 cases involving 110 legs treated with percutum transfixion. The clinical indexes of skin infection rate and skin necrosis rate, shrinkage rate of wound area and skin depigmentation rate, ulcer healing rate and ulcer recurrence rate were calculated to assess the clinical curative effect on day 5, day 20, day 120 and day 360 after operation respectively. Results The rates of skin infection and skin necrosis were significantly decreased in potaried group compared with transfixion group on day 5 after operation (P＜0.05), the rates of shrinkage of wound area and skin depigmentation were significantly increased in potaried group compared with transfixion group on day 20 (P＜0.05). The ulcer healing rate was not significantly different between the two groups on day 120 (Pgt;0.05). Ulcer recurrence rate was remarkably lower in potaried group than that in transfixion group on day 360 (P＜0.05). Conclusion It can be concluded that percutem transilluminated with negatived pressured on the potaried technique with TRIVEXTM Ⅱ potaried system can efficiently promote the healing of venous ulcer in the lower extremity, and at the same time it has an ascendancy in lessening skin infection and skin reinjury.
Objective To assess the combined management of lower limb chronic venous diseases according to the CEAP classification. Methods One hundred and twenty patients were classified according to the CEAP classification. Based on clinical presentation and image study, all patients were treated with combined management plan including oppression, medication and surgery. Results All 120 patients (135 limbs) were followed up in clinic, the local recurrence rate was 18.52%(25/135). Conclusion CEAP classification expounds the developing process of lower limb chronic venous diseases. With CEAP, we can avoid the blind spot in the treatment and expand the extent of combined therapy. Accordingly, CEAP classification is useful in the treatment and diagnosis of chronic venous diseases.
Objective To investigate the efficacy of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation in treating lower l imb thromboangiitis obl iterans (TAO). Methods From January 2005 to November 2008, 25 patients (27 l imbs) with lower l imb TAO were treated. There were 24 males (26 l imbs) and 1 female (1 l imb), aging 16-44 years (33 years on average). Fifteen left l imbs and 12 right l imbs were involved. The median duration of disease was 2 years (from 3 months to9 years). Intermittent claudication was observed in 5 cases (5 l imbs), 16 patients (17 l imbs) had symptom of rest pain, 4 patients (5 l imbs) suffered ulcer on the distal l imbs. The results of visual analogue scale (VAS), maximum walking distance (MWD), ankle/brachial index (ABI), and transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) before operation were (7.16 ± 1.12) points, (0.098 ± 0.043) km, 0.20 ± 0.09, and (11.78 ± 3.46) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), respectively. A total of 300 mL bone-marrow blood was extracted from the il iac bone. And then the mononuclear cells were isolated from the bone-marrow blood. All patients received cell transplantation only one time. The amount of transplantation bone marrow mononuclear cells was (1.82-29.46) × 109 (mean 13.33 × 109). Results All patients were followed up for 1 years. After 4 weeks of implantation, the results of VAS, MWD, ABI, and TcPO2 were (2.39 ± 0.51) points, (0.783 ± 0.176) km, 0.28 ± 0.16, (21.33 ± 6.57) mm Hg, respectively, showing significant difference compared with preoperative results (P lt; 0.05). The VAS, MWD, ABI, and TcPO2 increased to (2.44 ± 0.67) points, (1.199 ± 0.304) km, 0.37 ± 0.09, (27.90 ± 5.23) mm Hg after 1 year of implantation, showing significant differences compared with preoperative results (P lt; 0.05). One ulcer healed well and the improvement was obtained in other 3 cases after 4 weeks of implantation (80%). Four ulcers healed well after 1 year of implantation (80%). After 1 year of implantation, angiography revealed 37.04% affected limbs had a satisfactory neovascularization. The angiographic levels were grade 0 in 5 cases, grade 1 in 12 cases, grade 2 in 4 cases, and grade 3 in 6 cases. Conclusion Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation could be a simple, safe, effective method to treat TAO.
Objective To explore the clinical effect of latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap with a few muscle in repairing the soft tissue defect of lower limbs. Methods From June 2000 to December 2006, 8 patients with soft tissue defects of lower limbs were repaired with the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps. There were 6 males and 2 females, aged from 2569 years. The locations were heel in 3 cases, dorsum pedis in 2 cases, anticnemion in 2 cases, and the right leg (squamous carcinoma) in 1 case. The area of soft defect ranged from 10 cm×7 cm～18 cm×12 cm. The flap in size ranged from 15 cm×8 cm to 22 cm×15 cm. Results Of all the flaps,6 survived,1 had vascular necrosis 2 hours after operation and survived by skin grafts, 1 had delayed healing because of infection. The wound and donor site achieved primary healing. The followup for 3 to 12 months revealed that all the flaps had a good appearance. The function of donor site was as normal. Conclusion It is an ideal method to repair the softtissue defect of lower limbs with latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of autologous implantation between bone marrow stem cells and peripheral blood stem cells for treatment of lower limb ischemia. Methods From December 2004 to December 2005, 42 patients with unilateral lower limb ischemia were treated with both autologous bone marrow stem cell implantation(group A, n=21)and autologous peripheral blood stem cell implantation (group B, n=21). Fortytwo patients included 32 males and 10 females. The age ranged from 34 to 80 years, with a mean of 65.6 years. Of the patients, there were 28, 8 and 6 patients suffered from diabetic lower limb ischemia, Burger’s disese and atherosclotic occlusion, respectively. Ischemic history was from 3 months to 5 years, with amean of 2.1 years. A series of subjective indexes (such as improvement of pain, cold sensation and numbness) and objective indexes such as increase of ankle brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), angiography, amputation rate, and improvement of foot wound healing, were used to evaluate the effect. Results After 4 weeks of implantation, the rate of pain relief was 88.2% in group A and 89.5% in group B (Pgt;0.05) ; the rate of cold sensation relief was 94.4% in group A and 94.7% in group B（Pgt;0.05）; improvement of numbness was 69.2% and 66.7% respectively in groups A and B（Pgt;0.05）. Increaseof ABI was 38.1% in group A and 33.3% in group B（Pgt;0.05）; increase of TcPO2 was 85.7% and 90.5% respectively in groups A and B（Pgt;0.05）; angiography was performed in 12 patients (group A) and 9patients (group B), and the new formed collateral vessel rate was 83.3% in group A and 77.8% in group B（Pgt;0.05）; the amputation rate was 9.1% in groups A and B（Pgt;0.05）; the rate of improvement of foot wound healing was 60.0% in group A and 66.7% in group B(P＞0.05). Forty patients were followed up 3-15 months(mean 8 months). The improvement rate of subjective symptoms was 75.0% in group A and 70.0% in group B (Pgt;0.05); increase of ABI was 60.0% in group A and 65.0% in group B; increase of TcPO2 was 80.0% and 75.0% respectively in groups A and B; the new formed collateral vessel rate was 90.0% in group A and 84.6% in group B. All ulcers healed except 1 case in group B. Conclusion Bone marrow stem cell graft and peripheral blood stem cell graft are all effective in treatingower limb ischemia.
Objective To observe the clinical efficiency of the implantation of the autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells for treatment of lower limb ischemia after the bone marrow stimulation. Methods From May to December 2005, 43 ischemic limbs in 35 patients (23 males,12 females; aged 3490 years,averaged 71.3 year) were treated. Of the 35 patients, 30 had diabetic lowerlimb ischemia with 38 lower ischemic limbs, 2 had atherosclerosis obliterans with 2 ischemic lower limbs, and 3 had thromboangiitis obliterans with 3 ischemic lower limbs. Five patients with 5 ischemic limbs were in stage Ⅰ lower limb ischemia (intermittentclaudication), 15 patients with ischemic 19 limbs were in stage Ⅱ (rest pain),9 patients with 12 ischemic limbs were in stage Ⅲa(ulceration), and 6 patients with 7 ischemic lower limbs in stage Ⅲb (gangrene); 88.4% of all the ischemic lower limbs （38/43）had a pain, 79.1%（34/43） had coldness, and 69.8%（30/43）had limb numbness. The bone marrow of each patient was stimulated by an injection of the recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulatory factor 300 μg/d for 2-3 days. The bone marrow 130-200 ml was drawn from the iliac spine and the mononuclear cells were obtained. Each patient received implantation of the autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells by an intramuscular injection, an arterial intraluminal injection or a combined injection of the two routes.Results The pain relief was found in 94.7% of theischemic lower limbs, and pain improvement in 97.1% . Relived numbness was found in 93.3%. The distance of the claudication was increased by all the ischemic limbs. An increase in the ankle/ brachial index (ABI)was found in 47.9%. The transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) increased in 92.3%. The ulcer heal rate was 9.1% (1/11). Markedlyreduced ulcer wound was found in 27.3% (3/11). The amputation rate was 6.3% (3/48). Arterial angiography revealed that there was a new collateral vessel formationin 91.2%. Complications were as follows: fever and mild fatigue-developed respectively in 1 patient after the bone marrow stimulation, but relieved by themselves. Acute but mild myocardial infarction was found in 1 patient with a slight precordial pain and elevation of myocardial enzymes 1 week after transplantation of the bone marrow mononuclear cells, but recovered after medical treatment. The follow-up averaged 5 months. According to the subjective criteria, the overall efficacy was90%. ABI increased in 62.5% of the patients after operation and the value of TcPO2 was higher in 90% of the patients after this kind of therapy. Arterial angiography revealed a new collateral vessel formation in 90.5% of the 21 ischemic limbs. The foot ulcer healed in 7 and obviously improved in 3. Three of the foot ulcer patients were discharged 2-3 months after the amputation was performed on the diseased toes. Conclusion Implantation of the autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells after the bone marrow stimulation of treatment of the lower limb ischemia has advantages of less marrow aspiration, more mononuclear cell content, satisfactory shortterm effect, and relatively high safety. Itis a new method of treating the lower limb ischemia besides the autologous bone marrow and peripheral blood mononuclear cell implantation. The longterm effect of this method needs a further study.
Objective To explore the results of repairing widespread traumatic soft tissue defects in the heels and adjacent regions with free latissimus dorsi muscle-skin flaps. Methods From March 1998 to May 2005, 10 cases of widespread traumatic soft tissue defects in the heels and adjacent regions were repaired with free latissimus dorsi muscleskin flaps. Of the 10 patients, 9 were male and 1 was female, whose ages ranged from 32 to 60years, and the disease course was 2 hours to 2 months. The defect was by ploughmachine injury in 5 cases, by crush injury in 2 cases, by snake injury in 2 cases, and electricity injury in 1 case. Eight cases of defects involved in the posteriorof heel and leg, the defect area ranged from 21 cm×12 cm to 35 cm×15 cm; 2 cases had widespread soft tissue defects on heel, ankle, sole and dorsal foot, and the defect area was 27 cm×14 cm and 30 cm×21 cm respectively. All cases were accompanied by the exposure of bone; 6 cases by fracture; 4 cases by openinfection of ankle joint; and 2 cases by injuries of the posterior tibial vessel and the tibial nerve. The sizes of the dissected flap ranged from 25 cm×14 cm to 33 cm×24 cm. The donor sites were covered by large mid-thickness flap. Results There were no postoperative complication of vascular crisis and infection. Ten flaps survived completely and the wounds healed by first intention. After a follow-up of 3 to 24 months, five cases received twostageplastic operation because bulky flaps bring some trouble in wearing shoes. In 5cases of reconstructed sensation, two cases recovered pain and temperature sensation. All cases recovered the abilities to stand and walk without ulcer complication. Conclusion The free latissimus dorsi muscle-skin flap is an ideal flap for repairing widespread traumatic soft tissue defects and infectious wounds with muscle defects and bone exposure in the heel and adjacent regions, because it has such advantages as adequate blood supply, big dermatomic area, and excellent ability to resist infection.
Objective To explore the effective autologous bone marrow stem cell dosage for treatment of severe lower limb ischemia. Methods From December 2003 to December 2004, 22 cases of bilateral lower limb ischemia were treated with autologous bone morrow cell transplantation. All the patients were randomly divided into two groups according to ischemia degree. In group A(severe ischemia side), the amount of transplanted autologous bone marrow cells was more than 1×108, and ingroup B(mild ischemia side), the amount was less than 1×105. A series of subjective indexes, such as improvement of pain, cold sensation and numbness, and objective indexes, such as increase of ankle/brachial index (ABI) and transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2), angiography, amputation rate, and improvement of foot wound healing were used to evaluate the effect of autologous bone marrow stem cells implantation. Results The rates of pain relief were 90.0% in group A and 16.7% in group B (Plt;0.01); the rates of cold sensation relief were 90.5% in group A and 5.3% in group B（Plt;0.01）;the improvement of numbness was 62.5% in group A and 9.1% in group B（Plt;0.01）. Increase of ABI was 31.8% and 0 in groups A and B respectively（Plt;0.01） at 4 weeks after implantation. Increase of TcPO2was 94.4% and 11.1% in groups A and B respectively（Plt;0.01） at 4 weeks after implantation. Twelve cases of angiography showed rich new collateral vessels in 100% of the limbs in group A while no remarkable new collateral vessel in group B. The amputation rates were 4.5% in group A and 27.3% in group B（Plt;0.05） at 4 weeks after implantation. The rate of improvement of foot wound healing was 75% in group A and there was no changein wound healing in group B after 4 weeks of implantation. Conclusion The effectiveness of autologous bone marrow stem cell implantation depends on the number of implanted stem cells. Effectiveness is expected in most patients if the implanted stem cell is more than 1×108, whereas there would be little effect if the cell number is less than 1×105.
Objective To introduce a new surgical approach to rectify the shortened lower limbs. Methods From March 1985 to October 2000,288 cases of shortened lower limbs were treated and reviewed. Closed fracture at the metaphysis was made by a self-made “needle saw”, and then the “multiple-plane and double-track elongation instrument” was adopted to elongate the fractured bone. There were totally 161 cases of male and 127 cases of female included, with average age 21.3 years old, ranging from 12 to 29 years old, among which there were 268 cases elongated at the proximal metaphysis of the tibia, 16 cases at the distal femur and 4 cases at the distal tibia. All of the cases were followed up for 6 to 8 months before clinical evaluation. Results The lower limbs in 288 cases were elongated for 3.0 to 11.5 cm in 24 to 96 days, averaging 47 days, which fulfilled pre-operative plan. In the second week after the operation, new calculus and periosteum formed obviously in the gap between the fractured parts, and in 6 to 8 months bone union was observed at the fractured site in all cases. There was no nerve or blood vessel injury, or non-union of the metaphysis fracture. The functionof the manipulated knee joints and ankle joints recovered well. Conclusion It is a practical and safe surgical option to rectify the shortened lower limbs by closed fracture at the metaphysis, followed by elongation of the fractured bone,without any complication such as non-union or atrophy of manipulated bone, andwith no need of internal fixation or bone grafting.
Objective To analyze the methods of treating diabetic feet and to evaluate the optimal method. Methods The clinical data of 115 patients (137 legs) with diabetic feet were retrospectively analyzed. Results Seventy-one affected legs were treated with balloon dilation or stenting (11 with additional debridement of local ulcer), 12 legs were treated by femoral-popliteal arterial bypass (5 with additional debridement of local ulcer), and 31 legs were treated by debridement of local ulcer or amputation merely, and another 23 legs were treated by medical therapy. All diabetic feet treated by surgical treatment were improved obviously without death and severe complications, while 2 cases with medicine therapy died. Conclusion Because of the complexion of the diabetic foot, it should be treated individually, and the key point is to deal with the vascular lesions.