Objective To investigate the effectiveness and technical points of shortened replantation combined with limb lengthening in the treatment of severe amputation of middle and distal lower leg. Methods Twelve cases of severe amputation of middle and distal lower leg were treated with shortened replantation at the 1st stage and limb lengthening at the 2nd stage between April 2009 and May 2016. There were 9 males and 3 females with an average age of 28 years (range, 16-32 years). The injury causes included traffic accident injury in 4 cases, heavy pound injury in 6 cases, and machine crush injury in 2 cases. The interval from injuries to treatment ranged from 30 minuts to 6 hours (mean, 3 hours and 12 minutes). All of 12 cases, 6 cases were completely amputated in the right middle and distal lower leg, 4 were not completely amputated in the left middle and distal lower leg, and 2 were ankle amputations. The limbs were 4.0-12.5 cm shorter than the contralateral sides, with an average of 7.3 cm. Limb lengthening was performed at 1.5-8.0 months after replantation and the time of extension was 1.7-5.3 months (mean, 3.1 months). Results All 12 patients recovered the same lengths of both lower extremities after shortened replantation and limb lengthening. The lengthened segments gained good bone mineralization, bony union was achieved at lengthened segments and broken end of fracture at 7-16 months (mean, 11.3 months). All patients were followed up 6 months to 5 years (mean, 2 years and 5 months). The range of motion of the knee joint were 0-5° (mean, 3°) in hyperextension and 110-140° (mean, 120°) in flexion. Except for 2 cases of ankle arthrodesis, plantar flexion angles were 15-45° (mean, 26°) and dorsiflexion angles were 10-25° (mean, 15°) in the other cases. The plantar sensation was restored to the S3+ level in 4 cases, S3 level in 6 cases, and S2 level in 2 cases. At last follow-up, the affected limb function were excellent in 7 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 2 cases according to Kofoed functional evaluation criteria. Conclusion It expanded indications for replantation of lower limb amputation, reduced the operation difficulty and trauma with shortened replantation combined with limb lengthening in the treatment of severe amputation of middle and distal lower leg.
Objective To investigate the application of modified adjustable skin stretching and secure wound-closure system in repairing of skin and soft tissue defect. Methods Between March 2016 and April 2017, 21 cases of skin and soft tissue defects were repaired with the modified adjustable skin stretching and secure wound-closure system (the size of regulating pressure and the times of adjustment were determined according to the color, temperature, capillary response, and swelling degree of the skin edge). There were 11 males and 10 females, with an average age of 49.2 years (range, 21-67 years). Among them, 1 case was the residual wound after amputation of leg; 18 cases were the wounds after traumatic injury operation, including 4 cases in the lower leg, 3 cases in the knee joint, 7 cases in the upper limb, and 4 cases in the foot; and 2 cases were diabetic feet. The skin defect area ranged from 4.0 cm×2.5 cm to 21.0 cm×10.0 cm. Results Skin defect wounds closed directly in one stage in 4 cases; 12 cases were closed after continuously stretching for 5-14 days (mean, 10 days); 5 cases were reduced to less than one-half area, and the wound healed after the second skin grafting or flap repairing. All the 21 patients were followed up 3-12 months (mean, 5.2 months). The wound was linear healing with small scar, and no invasive margin, poor blood flow, necrosis, and poor sensory function happened. Conclusion The modified adjustable skin stretching and secure wound-closure system can reduce the skin and soft tissue defects or close the wound directly, and even replace the skin graft and skin flap repairing. It was a good method for the treatment of skin and soft tissue defect.