Commentary on Pedal Revascularization: Extending the Limits of Endovascular or Surgical Means to Prevent Amputation

Critical limb ischemia carries risk of significant morbidity and mortality and revascularization is particularly challenging in patients with tibial and pedal arterial disease. Recent advances in both endovascular therapies and open revascularization techniques have expanded our ability to treat patients with below the knee disease who may otherwise be subject to amputation. This commentary briefly reflects on emerging endovascular and open revascularization techniques for limb salvage in complex below knee arterial disease in order to raise awareness and minimize primary amputation without attempts at these “state of the art” modalities.

Impact of Establishing A Level-1 Trauma Center For Lower Extremity Trauma: A 4-Year Experience

Purpose: A multidisciplinary approach is essential for trauma patients’ treatment, particularly for cases with open lower extremity fractures, which are considered major traumas requiring a comprehensive approach. Recently, the social demand for severe-trauma centers has increased. This study analyzed the clinical impact of establishing a trauma center for the treatment of open lower extremity fractures.Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for trauma patients admitted to our hospital. Patients were classified into two groups: before (January 2014–December 2015, 178 patients) and after establishment of a Level-1 trauma center (January 2017–December 2018, 125 patients). We included patients with open fracture below the knee level and Gustilo type II/III, but excluded those with life-threatening trauma that affected the treatment choice.Results: Total 273 patient were included in this study, initial infection was significantly more common and external fixator application significantly less in post-center establishment group. The time to emergency operation decreased significantly from 13.89 ± 17.48 to 11.65 ± 19.33 hours post-center setup. By multivariate analysis, the decreased primary amputation and increased limb salvage was attributed to establishment of the trauma center. Conclusion: With the establishment of the Level-1 trauma center, limbs of patients with open lower extremity fractures could be salvaged, and the need for primary amputation was decreased. Early control of initial open wound infection and minimizing external fixator use allowed early soft tissue reconstruction. The existence of the center ensured a shorter interval to emergency operation and facilitated interdepartmental cooperation, which promoted active limb salvage and contributed to patients’ quality of life.

Primary amputation versus limb salvage in upper limb major trauma: a systematic review

Purpose Severe upper limb injuries can result in devastating consequences to functional and psychological well-being. Primary objectives of this review were to evaluate indications for amputation versus limb salvage in upper limb major trauma and whether any existing scoring systems can aid in decision-making. Secondary objectives were to assess the functional and psychological outcomes from amputation versus limb salvage. Methods A systematic review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A search strategy was conducted on the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Quality was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO. Results A total of 15 studies met inclusion criteria, encompassing 6113 patients. 141 underwent primary amputation and 5972 limb salvage. General indications for amputation included at least two of the following: uncontrollable haemodynamic instability; extensive and concurrent soft tissue, bone, vascular and/or nerve injuries; prolonged limb ischaemia; and blunt arterial trauma or crush injury. The Mangled Extremity Severity Score alone does not accurately predict need for amputation, however, the Mangled Extremity Syndrome Index may be a more precise tool. Comparable patient-reported functional and psychological outcomes are seen between the two treatment modalities. Conclusions Decision regarding amputation versus limb salvage of the upper limb is multifactorial. Current scoring systems are predominantly based on lower limb trauma, with lack of robust evidence to guide management of the upper extremity. Further high-quality studies are required to validate scoring systems which may aid in decision-making and provide further information on the outcomes from the two treatment options.

A new ischemic grading system to aid combat extremity vascular injury decision making

Introduction In resource limited combat settings with frequent encounters of mass casualty incidents, the decision to attempt limb salvage versus primary amputation is refined over time based on experience. This experience can be augmented by grading systems and algorithms to assist in clinical decisions. Few investigators have attempted to explicitly grade limb ischemia according to clinical criteria and study the impact of limb ischemia on clinical outcome. We suggest a new ischemia grading system based on the Rutherford ischemic classification and the V.A. Kornilov classification which we adapted to apply to the combat setting. This new tool was then retrospectively applied to combat trauma patients from the Sri Lankan Civil War. Method We retrospectively queried a prospectively maintained, single surgeon registry containing 129 extremity vascular injuries managed at a Role 3 military base hospital (MBH) from 2008 December to June 2009 during the last phase of Sri Lankan Civil war. 89 patients were analyzed for early limb salvage according to the modified Kornilov extremity ischemia index (MKEII). Result According to the MKEII, subcohort analysis of C1 (viable), C2 (threatened), and C3 (irreversible) classified injuries demonstrated a statistically significant (P < 0.001) difference in limb salvage. Further statistical evaluation demonstrated injury to popliteal region (P=0.006), severe arterial injury (P=0.018) and venous injuries (P< 0.001) had statistically significant differences in distribution between C1, C2 and C3. Conclusion By application of the MKEII, combat surgeons can rapidly and correctly select and prioritize vascular injured extremities to optimally use limited resources to achieve realistic limb salvage goals. A rigid ankle was correlated with the worst index of extremity ischemia. Further investigation into this sign as an indication for primary amputation is warranted.

Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Amputation Following Attempted Free Flap Limb Salvage

Background Traumatic limb salvage with free flap reconstruction versus primary amputation for lower extremity (LE) injuries remains an oft debated topic. Limb salvage has well-studied benefits and advances in microsurgery have helped reduce the complication rates. A subset of patients eventually requires secondary amputation after a failed attempt at limb salvage. A better understanding of risk factors that predict subsequent amputation after failed free flap reconstruction of LE injuries may improve operative management. Patients and Methods A retrospective study (2002–2019) was conducted on all patients who underwent free flap reconstruction of the LE within 120 days of the original inciting event at a single institution. Patient and operative factors were reviewed including comorbidities, severity of the injury, flap choice, outcomes, and complications. Predictors of subsequent amputation were analyzed. Results A total of 129 patients requiring free flap reconstructions for LE limb salvage met inclusion criteria. Anterolateral thigh flaps (70.5%) were performed most frequently. Secondary amputation occurred in 10 (7.8%) patients. Preoperative factors associated with eventual amputation include diabetes mellitus (p = 0.044), number of preoperative debridements (p = 0.013), evidence of any arterial injury/pathology (p = 0.008), specifically posterior tibial artery (p = < 0.0001), and degree of three-vessel runoff (p = 0.007). Operative factors associated with subsequent amputation include evidence of recipient artery injury/pathology (p = 0.008). Postoperative factors associated with secondary amputation include total flap failure (p = 0.001), partial flap failure (p = 0.002), minor complications (p = 0.037), and residual osteomyelitis (p = 0.028). Conclusion Many factors contribute to the reconstructive surgical team's decision to proceed with limb salvage or perform primary amputation. Several variables are associated with failed limb salvage resulting in secondary amputation. Further studies are required to better guide management during the limb salvage process.