Objective
To explore the effectiveness of changeable cross-leg style sural neurovascular flap in repairing contralateral fairly large soft tissue defects on dorsum of forefoot.
Methods
Between June 2006 and June 2015, 12 patients with fairly large soft tissue defect on dorsum of forefoot were treated. There were 8 males and 4 females, with an average age of 35.6 years (range, 18-57 years). Defects were caused by traffic accident injury in 4 cases, machine crush injury in 3 cases, and heavy object crush injury in 3 cases, with a median disease duration of 11 days (range, 5 hours to 28 days) in the 10 cases; the defect cause was atrophic scar in 2 cases, with disease duration of 2 years and 3 years respectively. The wound size of soft tissue ranged from 6.2 cm×4.1 cm to 11.5 cm×7.4 cm; combined injuries included tendon exposure in all cases and bone exposure in 6 cases. The changeable cross-leg style sural neurovascular flaps were used to repair defects. The width and length of flap pedicle were increased. The cross-leg position was maintained with the elastic net bandage. The size of flaps was 16 cm×7 cm to 21 cm×11 cm, with a pedicle of 8-16 cm in length and 5-6 cm in width.
Results
After operation, 10 flaps survived, and wound healed by first intention. Extravasated blood occurred at the flap edge in 2 cases and was cured after symptomatic treatment. No pressure sore occurred. All patients were followed up 3-24 months (mean, 7 months). The appearance and function of the affected legs were good, and the flaps had soft texture and normal color.
Conclusion
Changeable cross-leg style sural neurovascular flap can achieve good effectiveness in repairing fairly large soft tissue defect on dorsum of forefoot. Some drawbacks of single cross-leg style can be avoided.
OBJECTIVE: To provide a new reconstructive method to treat refractory ulcers on the sole of the forefoot. METHODS: The reversed medial plantar flap with the medial plantar pedal artery and vein as pedicle was used to treat the refractory ulcers on the sole of the forefoot in 5 cases. The size of the flap was 3.5-5.0 cm x 4.0-5.5 cm. The deformities were corrected at the same time and the flaps were protected after operation. RESULTS: All flaps survived without complications. There was no recurrence after 6-month following-up. The patients could walk. CONCLUSION: The distal ends of medial plantar pedal artery and vein have plenty anastomoses with dorsal pedal artery and deep plantar arch. The reversed medial plantar flap has reliable blood supply by these anastomoses. The reversed medial plantar flap should be a choice in treating refractory ulcers on the sole of the forefoot.
ObjectiveTo summarize the effectiveness and experience of Wanger grade 3-5 diabetic foot treated with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) combined with transverse tibial bone transport.MethodsBetween March 2015 and January 2018, 21 patients with refractory diabetic foot who failed conservative treatment were treated with VSD combined with transverse tibial bone transport. There were 15 males and 6 females, aged 55-88 years (mean, 65 years). The diabetes history was 8-15 years (mean, 12.2 years). The duration of diabetic foot ranged from 7 to 84 days (mean, 35.3 days). The size of diabetic foot ulcer before operation ranged from 2 cm×2 cm to 8 cm×5 cm. According to Wanger classification, 8 cases were rated as grade 3, 11 cases as grade 4, and 2 cases as grade 5. Among the 21 cases, angiography of lower extremity before operation was performed in 5 cases, CT angiography of lower extremity in 16 cases, all of which indicated that the arteries below the knee were narrowed to varying degrees and not completely blocked. Preoperative foot skin temperature was (29.28±0.77)℃, C-reactive protein was (38.03±31.23) mg/L, leukocyte count was (9.44±2.21)×109/L, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.8±1.5, and ability of daily living (Barthel index) was 54.3±10.3.ResultsAfter operation, 2 patients with Wanger grade 4 and smoking history failed treatment and had an major amputation (amputation above ankle joint) at 30 days and 45 days after operation, respectively. One patient with Wanger grade 5 and chronic heart failure died of cardiac arrest at 60 days after operation. The remaining 18 patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 9.2 months). The external fixator was removed at 40-62 days after operation, with an average of 46 days. All the wounds healed, with a healing time of 50-120 days (mean, 62.5 days). The pain of 18 patients’ feet was relieved obviously, and there was no recurrence of ulcer in situ or other parts. There was no complication such as tibial fracture and ischemic necrosis of lower leg skin after operation. After ulcer healing, the foot skin temperature was (30.86±0.80)℃, C-reactive protein was (22.90±18.42) mg/L, VAS score was 2.4±1.2, and Barthel index was 77.3±4.6, all showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); the leukocyte count was (8.91±1.72)×109/L, showing no significant difference (t=1.090, P=0.291).ConclusionVSD combined with transverse tibial bone transport can effectively promote the healing of Wanger grade 3-5 diabetic foot wounds, but smokers, unstable blood glucose control, and chronic heart failure patients have the risk of failure.
Objective
To investigate the changes of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF- β1) and type Ⅱ of TGF-β-receptor (TβRⅡ) expressions in wound tissue after the treatment of diabetic foot with vaccum sealing drainage (VSD), and to analyze the mechanism of accelerating wound healing.
Methods
Between May 2012 and May 2016, 80 patients with diabetic foot were randomly divided into 2 groups, 40 cases in each group. After the same basic treatment, the wounds of VSD group and control group were treated with VSD and external dressing, respectively. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, body mass, foot ulcer area, and Wagner grade between 2 groups (P>0.05). The time of foundation preparation and hospitalization stay of 2 groups were recorded. The wound tissue was collected before treatment and at 7 days after treatment, and the positive indexes of TGF-β1 and TβRⅡexpressions were measured by immunohistochemical staining.
Results
Before skin grafting, the patients in VSD group were treated with VSD for 1 to 3 times (mean, 2 times), and the patients in control group were treated with dressing change for 1 to 6 times (mean, 4 times). The time of foundation preparation and hospitalization stay in VSD group were significantly shorter than those in control group (t=–13.546, P=0.036; t=–12.831, P=0.041). The skin grafts of both groups survived smoothly and the wound healed well. Before treatment, immunohistochemical staining results showed that the positive indexes of TGF-β1 and TβRⅡ expressions in VSD group were 5.3±2.4 and 14.0±2.6, while those in control group were 4.4±2.3 and 14.7±3.1, respectively. There was no significant difference between 2 groups (t=1.137, P=0.263; t=1.231, P=0.409). At 7 days after treatment, the positive indexes of TGF-β1 and TβRⅡ expressions in VSD group were 34.3±2.9 and 41.7±3.7, respectively, and those in control group were 5.8±2.0 and 18.1±2.5. There were significant differences between 2 groups (t=–35.615, P=0.003; t=23.725, P=0.002).
Conclusion
VSD can increase the expressions of TGF-β1 and TβRⅡ in diabetic ulcer tissue, promote granulation tissue growth, and accelerate wound healing.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness of Ilizarov technology combined with tarsal V-shape osteotomy for the treatment of traumatic clubfoot.
MethodsBetween August 2011 and August 2014, 14 patients with traumatic clubfoot were treated. There were 10 males and 4 females, aged 13 to 61 years (mean, 31 years). Of 14 cases, 11 had open fractures of the tibia and ankle, and 3 had closed fracture of the ankle joint. The interval from trauma to operation was 7-78 months (mean, 36 months). The plantar flexion of the ankle was 44-89° (mean, 57°). After invasive foot soft tissue release and tarsal V-shape osteotomy, the Ilizarov external fixator with elastic stretching rod was used. At 5-12 weeks after operation, the neutral position of the ankle joint was restored. Then the neutral position of the ankle joint was maintained for 8 to 12 weeks. After removal of external fixator, protective walking brace was used for 8 to 12 weeks.
ResultsInfection occurred in 9 cases, and was cured after symptomatic treatment. The patients were followed up 10-36 months (mean, 15 months). After treatment, 14 patients had normal appearance of the ankle joint, and X-ray films showed normal structure of the ankle. The ankle dorsal extension was 10° in 9 patients, who had normal walking function; it was 5° in 4 patients, who could walk; in 1 case of neutral position, the foot had no function of up and down stairs. One case had pain during correction because of poor tolerance, and delay traction was given, the function was recovered to normal after active rehabilitation training. According to the International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) score standard, the results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 92.9% at last follow-up.
ConclusionIlizarov external fixation combined with V-shape osteotomy is effective for the treatment of traumatic clubfoot, with the advantages of less trauma, reliable fixation, satisfactory correction of the deformity, and good function recovery of the ankle.
Objective To evaluate the function of the reconstructed thumbs and the donor feet after thumb reconstructions with modified wrap-around flap. Methods A total of 65 patients who accepted thumb reconstruction with the modified wrap-around flap between January 2003 and October 2007 were followed up, including 54 males and 11 females with an average age of 33 years (range 15-46 years). There were 12 cases of skin degloving injury and late class I B defect, 44 cases of class II defect and 9 cases of class III A defect. The reconstructed thumbs and donor feet were examined andevaluated. Foot function index-verbal rating scales (FFI-5pt), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forhallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal score, gait analysis and dynamic pedobarography were conducted to 20 patients who were followed up recently. Results Sixty-five patients were followed up 6-60 months with an average of 22 months. The reconstructed thumbs had aesthetic appearance and satisfactory range of motion. The two-point discrimination was (9.7 ± 2.8) mm, showing statistically significant difference (P lt; 0.05) when compared with that of the contralateral normal thumb [(4.2 ± 1.1) mm]. Full or most length of the donor toes were preserved in 63 patients. The width of remaining plantar strip skin that covered the plantar weight-bearing area was (24.5 ± 3.7) mm, and its two-point discrimination was (9.0 ± 2.6) mm; showing no statistically significant difference (P gt; 0.05) when compared with that of contralateral normal one [(8.1 ± 1.9) mm]. Of the 20 patients who were followed up recently, the evaluation of the FFI-5pt score showed that the pain scale score was 5.6 ± 4.5, the disabil ity scale score was 1.2 ± 2.7, and the FFI-5pt total scale score was 3.2 ± 2.9. The results of AOFAS cl inical rating scale showed that the pain scale score was 34.0 ± 5.0, the function scale score was 38.7 ± 4.2, the al igment scale score was 15.0 ± 0, and the total AOFAS scale score was 87.7 ± 7.4. There was no statistically significant difference (P gt; 0.05) in the durations of subphases of the gait cycle between the donor foot and the contralateral normal foot, and in the peak force and force-time integral of the two whole foot. The peak force of the donor toe was significantly smaller than that of the contralateral normal toe (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the peak pressure (P gt; 0.05); and there were no significant differences in the peak forcesand peak pressures of other six anatomical sites of the two feet (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Using the modified wrap-around flap for thumb reconstruction, aesthetic and functional thumbs can be obtained, and most of the function of the donor feet can be preserved.
To study the recovery method and effect of amputated foot after temporary ectopic implantation. Methods Two male patients with amputated foot were treated with temporary ectopic implantation in July 2001 and January 2002. Amputated foot was caused by mechanical injury and crush injury. After 6 hours, temporary ectopic implantation of amputated foot was given and replantation was done 3 months after primary operation. The recovery methods were as follows: automatic and passive motion, high pressure oxygen, massage, protective and positional feel ing training, etc. The effects of recovery was observed. Results All amputated foots survived after operation, the time of follow-up was 6 years,and 5 years and 7 months. Extension degree of first metatarsal digital joint was 12o and 15o, flex degree of first metatarsal digital joint was 15o and 13o, and extension degree of other metatarsal digital joints was 8o and 9o. Force degree of extension muscle was 4, force degree of flex muscle was 4, and two-point discrimination was 20 mm and 18 mm. Patients recovered their superficial sensibil ity, touch sense, deep pain sense and topognosis. The skin color and temperature were normal. And the patients could do some housework. Conclusion Temporary ectopic implantation of amputated foot can recover the function of amputated foot by motor and sensitive recovery methods.
Objective To systematically analyze the randomized controlled trials that compare tissue-engineered skin (TES) with conventional treatment for chronic diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in terms of effectiveness and utilization.Methods We searched the electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CBMWeb, CNKI, and VIP) in order to compare the efficiency and safety between TES and conventional treatment (CT) in the patients with DFU. In addition, we manually searched reference lists from original studies and review articles.Results Seven trials were included, which were all randomized controlled trials and had a duration of DFU over 6 weeks. There were 880 participants that met inclusion criteria in all studies, and all patients underwent pre-treatment procedures and were treated by TES (human skin equivalents, living skin equivalents or bioengineered skin, such as Graftskin, Dermagraft and Graftjacket) for 12 weeks. All trials had two groups: the treatment group and the control group, but the two trials divided the treatment groups into 3 different dosages and 2 different ulcer allocation subgroups, respectively. Meta-analysis results showed significant differences in the rate of complete wound closure (Plt;0.0001, 95%CI 0.08 to 0.20) and in the occurrence of complications and severe adverse events (P=0.008, 95%CI – 0.06 to – 0.01) between TES treated patients and conventionally treated patients. Conclusion The review shows TES improves completed closure of DFU compared with CT, and it is more effective in reducing side effects.
Objective To determine the effectiveness and safety of autologous platelet-rich gel in the management of diabetic foot ulcer. Methods We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails (CENTRAL), MEDLINE or PubMed, EMbase, OVID Database, Chinese Biological Medicine Database (CBMDisc), CNKI, Chinese VIP Database and WANFANG Database. We also handsearched the bibliographies of retrieved articles and correlated proceedings. The systematic review was conducted using the method recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results Four trials involving 216 patients were included. Meta-analyses showed (1) Diabetic foot ulcer healing rate: Autologous platelet-rich gel was superior to the standard care (Plt;0.000 01); (2) Diabetic foot ulcer reduction rate: Autologous platelet-rich gel was superior to the standard care (P=0.000 3); (3) Diabetic foot ulcer healing time: Autologous platelet-rich gel was superior to the standard care (Plt;0.000 01); (4) Complications: No patient in these trials had complications. Conclusions The limited current evidence shows that autologous platelet-rich gel is safe and effective in the short-term treatment for diabetic foot ulcer.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of health education on hand, foot and mouth disease knowledge of the parents and their psychological status, in order to provide a reference for regulating clinical intervention measures.
MethodsBetween October 2011 and February 2013, self-made questionnaire was used to survey the parents of 286 children with hand, foot and mouth disease for their knowledge about the disease. We promoted health education including distributing pamphlets, holding lectures, and carrying out psychological counseling. Then, parents' knowledge and their psychological status were compared before and after the implementation of health education.
ResultsAfter health education, parents' suspicion, anxiety, fear, indulgence in children and other negative psychological scores were significantly lower than those before intervention (P<0.05). Their knowledge on the disease was also significantly enhanced (P<0.05). Gender, age and educational background were the main influence factors for health education.
ConclusionMulti-form comprehensive health education can enhance parents' knowledge on hand, foot and mouth disease effectively and alleviate various negative psychological situations, which assists them to participate in the treatment work actively, thus greatly promotes early rehabilitation of the child patients.
