Vascular injury resulting from lower limb amputation leads to the redistribution of blood flow and changes in vascular terminal resistance, which can affect the cardiovascular system. However, there was no clear understanding of how different amputation levels affect the cardiovascular system in animal experiments. Therefore, this study established two animal models of above-knee amputation (AKA) and below-knee amputation (BKA) to explore the effects of different amputation levels on the cardiovascular system through blood and histopathological examinations. The results showed that amputation caused pathological changes in the cardiovascular system of animals, including endothelial injury, inflammation, and angiosclerosis. The degree of cardiovascular injury was higher in the AKA group than in the BKA group. This study sheds light on the internal mechanisms of amputation’s impact on the cardiovascular system. Based on the amputation level of patients, the findings recommend more comprehensive and targeted monitoring after surgery and necessary interventions to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Objective To observe the effectiveness of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) combined with anti-takenskin graft on open amputation wound by comparing with direct anti-taken skin graft. Methods Between March 2005 andJune 2010, 60 cases of amputation wounds for limbs open fractures were selected by using the random single-blind method.The amputation wounds were treated with VSD combined with anti-taken skin graft (test group, n=30) and direct anti-takenskin graft (control group, n=30). No significant difference was found in age, gender, injury cause, amputation level, defect size,preoperative albumin index, or injury time between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In test group, the redundant stump skin was usedto prepare reattached staggered-meshed middle-thickness skin flap by using a drum dermatome deal ing after amputation,which was transplanted amputation wounds, and then the skin surface was covered with VSD for continuous negative pressuredrainage for 7-10 days. In control group, wounds were covered by anti-taken thickness skin flap directly after amputation, andconventional dress changing was given. Results To observe the survival condition of the skin graft in test group, the VSDdevice was removed at 8 days after operation. The skin graft survival rate, wound infection rate, reamputation rate, times ofdressing change, and the hospital ization days in test group were significantly better than those in control group [ 90.0% vs.63.3%, 3.3% vs. 20.0%, 0 vs. 13.3%, (2.0 ± 0.5) times vs. (8.0 ± 1.5) times, and (12.0 ± 2.6) days vs. (18.0 ± 3.2) days, respectively](P lt; 0.05). The patients were followed up 1-3 years with an average of 2 years. At last follow-up, the scar area and grading, and twopointdiscrimination of wound in test group were better than those in control group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05).No obvious swelling occurred at the residual limbs in 2 groups. The limb pain incidence and the residual limb length were betterin test group than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). Whereas, no significant difference was found in the shape of the residual limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). In comparison with the contralateral limbs, the muscle had disuse atrophy and decreasedstrength in residual limbs of 2 groups. There was significant difference in the muscle strength between normal and affected limbs(P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found in affected limbs between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Comparedwith direct anti-taken skin graft on amputation wound, the wound could be closed primarily by using the VSD combined withanti-taken skin graft. At the same time it could achieve better wound drainage, reduce infection rate, promote good adhesion ofwound, improve skin survival rate, and are beneficial to lower the amputation level, so it is an ideal way to deal with amputationwound in the phase I.
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 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 investigate the characteristics of patients with crush injury in Wenchuan earthquake and the corresponding operational methods. Methods From May 12th 2008 to June 18th 2008, 202 patients with crush injury of soft tissue were treated, including 110 males and 92 females. Twenty-five patients aged 19 months to 16 years, 129 patients aged 17-60 years and 48 patients aged above 61 years. The crushed time was 30 minutes to 154 hours. Sixty cases of openinjuries were treated by debridement and dressing or suture; 16 cases of damaged extremities (18 l imbs) and 6 cases of acute renal failure due to crush syndrome (8 l imbs) received amputation; 32 cases of interfascial space syndrome crisis (42 l imbs) were treated by fascia cavity decompression; 15 cases received the resection of necrotic muscle for 31 times; and 9 cases received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Results All the wounds healed except 2 cases which died from intestinal bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage during the treatment of CRRT. Two cases were discharged 8 months after treatment, while the other 198 cases recovered and were discharged 15-120 days after treatment. The average hospital ization time was 53 days. Twenty-two cases (26 l imbs) were fixed with artificial l imbs 3-6 months after amputation and achieved good functional outcome. Conclusion The treatment principle of crush injury is “be active to decompress and be prudent to amputate”, the hardening muscle and the increasing level of creatine kinase and blood potassium are the golden indicators of fascia cavity decompression. Decompression at an earl ier period is preferred when there is a dilemma to choose, and open amputation should be performed when the necrotic muscle is hard to clear or the necrosis boundary is not distinct.
Objective To summarize the experience in treatment and diagnosis of popliteal artery trauma and to determine the factors for amputation. Methods From February 1995 to January 2006, 28 patients with popliteal artery trauma were treated. The disease course was more than 8 hours. Of them, there were 25 males and 3 females, aging from 3 to 53 years. Trauma was caused by traffic accident in 12 cases, by falling from height in 3 cases, by firearm in 2 cases, by sharp instruments in 3 cases, by strangulation in 2 cases and by others in 6 cases. No arteriopalmus or weak arteriopalmus wereobserved in 18 cases and in 8 cases respectively. Popliteal artery exposure or active bleeding was seen in 2 cases; the popliteal arteries were examined by operation in 8 cases; color ultrasound Doppler flow imaging showed color flood flowsignals were through popliteal artery and its branches in 20 cases. Defect sizeof popliteal artery was less than 5 cm in 7 cases and more than 5 cm in 9 cases. End to end anastomosis reconstruction by saphenous vein graft and direct suture was performed in 16 cases and ampulation in 12 cases. The time of the revascularization of the leg was 8-150 hours (mean 31.8 hours). Results All patients were followed up 6 months to 11 years with an average of 4.2 years. In 16 cases given end to end anastomosis reconstruction, 15 cases achieved revascularization and limb survival; lower limb function restored to normal within 1 year in 12 cases; foot drop and ankle joint contracture occurred in 3 casesand the survival rate of limbs was 94%. Amputation was given in 12 of 28 casesbecause of severe trauma. The rate of amputation was 43% and the rate of disability was 54%. Conclusion Popliteal artery trauma should be treated as soon as the diagnosis is made. If the revascularization is more than 8 hours or circulatory compensation is not complete, it will affect the leg survival. Delayed diagnosis and severe traumas are the cause of high rate ofamputation in popliteal artery trauma.
