OBJECTIVE: To measure the length and extent of the injured blood vessels in an avulsion amputation model. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A was a sharp amputation group, and group B was an avulsion amputation group. The length and extent of the injured blood vessel was observed with naked eye, operation microscope and electron microscope, and the limbs were replanted. Group A and B were explored at three days and ten days after the replantation respectively. The patency rate and healing process were compared. RESULTS: All the severed ends of vessels in group A were neat with almost the same injured range in the three layers of the vessel wall about 1 mm away from the severed end. The vessels of group B were damaged seriously, the endothelial cells were deleted. The "jumping-like" damage could be observed in the elastic fibers. The injury of 2 to 3 mm away from the normal vessel wall could be observed by operation microscope. CONCLUSION: The damage of avulsion amputation vessels was irregular, 2 to 3 mm or more tissues should be excised under the microscope in the process of operation in order to ensure the healthy intact blood vessel walls.
Objective To investigate the amputation-related pain and quality of life (QoL) between the amputees with transfemoral amputation (TFA) and transtibial amputation (TTA) 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake, and compare the effects of two different amputation level on the long-term functional rehabilitation of amputees. Methods A total of 305 amputees from Center of Comprehensive Service of Disabled of Deyang for the disabled 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake were selected for cross-sectional study from February to June 2018. Through face-to-face interview, the basic information of amputees was collected and the evaluation of Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) was completed. The amputees were divided into TFA group and TTA group according to the amputation level. Results A total of 53 amputees were included, including 27 in the TFA group and 26 in the TTA group. The PEQ scores showed that the prevalences of phantom limb sensation (96.3% vs. 65.4%; χ2=6.372, P=0.012) and phantom limb pain (92.6% vs. 69.2%; P=0.039) in the TFA group were significantly higher than those in the TTA group. There was no significant difference with regard to the intensity of amputation-related pain between the victims with TFA and TTA (P>0.05). However, the TFA group were more bothered by phantom limb sensation than the TTA group (52.9±24.1 vs. 35.9±26.7; t=2.108, P=0.042), there was no significant difference in other indexes (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in QoL between the TFA and TTA groups (P>0.05). Conclusions The phantom limb sensation, phantom limb pain, residual limb pain, non-amputated limb pain and back pain are still prevalent among the victims with TFA and TTA 10 years after the Wenchuan earthquake. The higher amputation level is associated with increased prevalence of phantom limb sensation and phantom limb pain, as well as more bothersomeness of phantom limb sensation. The amputation level appeares to have no impact on the long-term QoL.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of tibial transverse transport (TTT) in treating Wagner grade 3-4 type 2 diabetic foot ulcers and analyze dynamic changes in immunoglobulin levels. Methods The clinical data of 68 patients with Wagner grade 3-4 type 2 diabetic foot ulcers treated with TTT between May 2022 and September 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. The cohort included 49 males and 19 females, aged 44-91 years (mean, 67.3 years), with 40 Wagner grade 3 and 28 grade 4 ulcers. The duration of type 2 diabetes ranged from 5 to 23 years, with an average of 10 years. The number of wound healing cases, healing time, amputation cases, death cases, and complications were observed and recorded. Serum samples were collected at 6 key time points [1 day before TTT and 3 days, 7 days (the first day of upward transverse transfer), 14 days (the first day of downward transverse transfer), 21 days (the first day after the end of transfer), 36 days (the first day after the removal of the transfer device)], and the serum immunoglobulin levels were detected by flow cytometry including immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, IgM, IgE, complement C3 (C3), C4, immunoglobulin light chain κ (KAP), immunoglobulin light chain λ (LAM). Results All the 68 patients were followed up 6 months. Postoperative pin tract infection occurred in 3 cases and incision infection in 2 cases. Amputation occurred in 5 patients (7.4%) at 59-103 days after operation, and 8 patients (11.8%) died at 49-77 days after operation; the wounds of the remaining 55 patients (80.9%) healed in 48-135 days, with an average of 80 days. There was no recurrence of ulcer, peri-osteotomy fracture, or local skin necrosis during follow-up. The serum immunoglobulin levels of 55 patients with wound healing showed that the levels of IgG and IgM decreased significantly on the 3rd and 7th day after operation compared with those before operation (P<0.05), and gradually returned to the levels before operation after 14 days, and reached the peak on the 36th day. IgA levels continued to decrease with time, and there were significant differences at all time points when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The level of IgE significantly decreased at 21 days after operation compared with that before operation (P<0.05), while it was higher at other time points than that before operation, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The level of C3 showed a clear treatment-related increase, which was significantly higher on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after operation than that before operation (P<0.05), and the peak appeared on the 14th day. The change trend of C4 level was basically synchronous with that of C3, but the amplitude was smaller, and the difference was significant at 7 and 14 days after operation compared with that before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in KAP/LAM between different time points before and after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion TTT can accelerate wound healing, effectively treat diabetic foot ulcer, and reduce amputation rate, and has definite effectiveness. The potential mechanisms of TTT in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers include the dynamic regulation of IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE levels to balance the process of inflammation and repair, and the periodic increase of C3 and C4 levels may promote tissue cleaning, angiogenesis, and anti-infection defense.
Objective To provide a clinical basis for the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers by analyzing the clinical data and prognosis of high-risk diabetic foot patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on high-risk diabetic foot patients who were hospitalized in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018. Patients were divided into high-risk group and low-risk group according to whether they hada history of foot ulcer or amputation. The clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients were compared. The patients were followed up from hospital discharge to January 31, 2021, and their survival and ulcer recurrence or new-onset status were evaluated. Results Finally, 123 patients were included, including 29 patients in the high-risk group and 94 patients in the low-risk group. There was no statistical difference in the duration of diabetes, smoking history, drinking history, education level, proportion of receiving regular treatment, proportion of regular blood glucose monitoring, body mass index, proportion of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, callus, foot deformity, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy, diabetic gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathy, hypertension, coronary heart disease and laboratory test results between the two groups (P>0.05). The proportion of women (51.7% vs. 29.8%), age [(69.8±10.3) vs. (64.4±11.3) years], proportion of lower extremity arterial disease (62.1% vs. 34.4%), proportion of hyperuricemia (27.6% vs. 10.6%) in the high-risk group were higher than the low-risk group (P<0.05). After follow-up (67±20) months, 25.8% of the patients had ulcer recurrence or new onset, and 24.2% of the patients died. The most common cause of death was diabetes complications (43.8%). The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative mortality rates of the patients were 4.5%, 12.7%, and 20.6%, respectively. The 3- and 5-year recurrence or new ulcer rates were 8.3% and 18.2%, respectively. The 5-year recurrence or new ulcer rates in the low-risk group and high-risk group were 10.3% and 40.3%, respectively, and there was a difference in ulcer recurrence between the two groups (P=0.004). Conclusions Compared with high-risk diabetic foot patients without ulcer or amputation, patients with a history of ulcer or amputation have higher rates of lower extremity arterial disease and hyperuricemia. Patients with a history of ulceration or amputation have a higher risk of recurrent or new ulceration than patients without a history of ulceration or amputation.
Objective To investigate new classification and repair methods for the traverse amputated fingertip. Methods From March 2000 to October 2006, 20 cases of 20 fingers with traverse amputated fingertip, including 13 males and 7 females aged 17-47 years, were treated. Twenty patients (9 crush injuries, 5 cutting injuries and 6 sawing injuries) were classified into 4 types, namely type I (the distal one third of nail bed), type II (the middle of nail bed), type III (the poximal one third of nail bed), and type IV (the root of nail bed). There were 3 patients (2 index fingers and 1 l ittle finger) of type I, 8 patients (2 thumbs, 3 index fingers and 3 middle fingers) of type II, 5 patients (3 index fingers, 1 ring finger and 1 l ittle finger)of type III, and 4 patients (2 thumbs, 1 middle finger and 1 l ittle finger) of type IV. The soft tissue defect ranged from 1.2 cm × 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm × 1.2 cm. The time from injury to surgery was 3-10 hours. Fingers of type I and type II were treated with forward flow axial flap and modified nail bed lengthening. Fingers of type III and type IV were treated with forward flow axial flap and partial nail bed replantation as well as modified nail bed lengthening. The flaps ranged in size from 1.5 cm × 1.2 cm to 2.0 cm × 1.4 cm. Results Twenty patients incisions healed by first intention and the flaps, nails and skin grafting survived. All donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up for 2-6 months (4 months on average). The appearances of fingertips were good. The texture of the flap was soft, and the fingers had no tenderness and motor disturbance. The two-point discrimination was 4.5-6.5 mm．The finger nails of type I and type II extended 3-4 mm after operation, while the finger nails of type III and type IV extended 8-10 mm after operation. All finger nails were smooth and flat without pain. Hook nail happened in 1 case 6 months after operation. Conclusion Classification of the injured fingers according to the condition of the amputation base is helpful in choosing repair methods, and is conducive to maximize the recovery of the function and shape of fingertips.
Since October 1975, 35 patients with congenital constriction bands were treated. Follow-up for 10 months to 14 years showed that the results of correction were satisfactory except 1 patient died from other disease. The etiolology, the concurrent deformities and the method of treatment were discussed.
It has been found that the incidence of cardiovascular disease in patients with lower limb amputation is significantly higher than that in normal individuals, but the relationship between lower limb amputation and the episodes of cardiovascular disease has not been studied from the perspective of hemodynamics. In this paper, numerical simulation was used to study the effects of amputation on aortic hemodynamics by changing peripheral impedance and capacitance. The final results showed that after amputation, the aortic blood pressure increased, the time averaged wall shear stress of the infrarenal abdominal aorta decreased and the oscillatory shear index of the left and right sides was asymmetrically distributed, while the time averaged wall shear stress of the iliac artery decreased and the oscillatory shear index increased. The changes above were more significant with the increase of amputation level, which will result in a higher incidence of atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm. These findings preliminarily revealed the influence of lower limb amputation on the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, and provided theoretical guidance for the design of rehabilitation training and the optimization of cardiovascular diseases treatment.
Objective To compare the effectiveness between the myo-periosteal fibular bone bridging and traditional transtibial amputation in the treatment of amputation below knee so as to provide theoretical basis for choosing transtibial amputation in clinical application. Methods Between November 2001 and November 2011, 38 patients with mangled lower extremity were treated by transtibial amputation. Among 38 patients, 17 (group A) underwent myo-periosteal fibular bone bridging (the operation techniques of an attached peroneal muscle myo-periosteal fibular strut bridge between the end of the tibia and fibula below knee amputation), and other 21 (group B) underwent traditional transtibial amputation. There was no significant difference in age, gender, injury cause, amputation cause, side, and disease duration between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The quality of life (QOL) was analyzed using 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), and prosthesis satisfaction by Trinity amputation and prosthesis experience scale (TAPES). Results Healing of incision by first intention was obtained in all patients of 2 groups; no necrosis, infection, or poor stumps was observed. The mean follow-up time was 22 months (range, 14-30 months) in group A, and 26 months (range, 15-30 months) in group B. The patients achieved good healing of bone bridging, no bone nonunion occurred. The healing time was (5.1 ± 1.1) months in group A and (3.3 ± 0.6) months in group B, showing significant difference between 2 groups (t=9.82, P=0.00). Spur occurred at the distal fibula in an 11-year-old boy of group B after 2 years of operation, which blocked use of prosthesis; prosthesis was well used in the other patients. After 12 months of operation, SF-36 score was 55.84 ± 14.01 in group A and 49.93 ± 12.78 in group B, showing significant difference (P lt; 0. 05); the physical functioning, social functioning, role-physical, vitality, body pain, general health scores in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found in role-emotional and mental health scores between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). TAPES score was 12.12 ± 2.23 in group A and 10.10 ± 2.00 in group B, showing significant difference (t=2.891, P=0.006). Conclusion It is a very effective method to treat traumatic amputation using an attached myo-periosteal fibular bone bridging between the end of the tibia and fibula below knee, which can afford better quality of life and prosthesis satisfaction.
Objective To review the progress in amputation technique of diabetic foot. Methods Recent l iterature concerning the amputation technique of diabetic foot was reviewed and analyzed. Results According to the different levels of the amputation, the diabetic foot’s amputation can be classified as major amputation and minor amputation, and differentkinds of methods can derive from these styles. Different factors should be considered when the style and method of amputation are chosen. Conclusion To the diabetic foot amputation, the general rule is to l imit the amputation level on the premise of the good cl inical effect. The health state, the region of the diabetic foot, the tissue perfusion, the susceptibil ity to infection in local tissue, and the abil ity of wound healing are important factors in selecting the styles and methods of diabetes-related amputations. Importance should be attached to the synthesis treatments of diabetes to prevent the higher level amputation.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the function of injured hand after repair of finger stump and reconstruction of digit tendon attachment in finger amputation. METHODS: From 1992 to 1998, 20 cases with amputation of the 2nd to the 5th fingers were investigated, of which reconstruction of digit tendon attachment in 10 cases (group A) and routine operation without reconstruction of digit tendon attachment in other 10 cases (group B). After 6 months of operation, the tension test, fatigue test the sense of stability in motion and the perimeter of forearm in injured hand and the corresponding healthy hand were compared. RESULTS: The differences were remarkable (P lt; 0.01) between group A and group B in the tension test of injured finger, the fatigue test, the sense of stability in motion and the perimeter of injured arm. CONCLUSION: The digit of injured finger should be reconstructed in finger amputation in order to furthest maintain the function of injured hand.