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Annals of Plastic Surgery Jan 2024Nerve capping is a method of neuroma treatment or prevention that consists of the transplantation of a proximal nerve stump into an autograft or other material cap,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/AIM OF THE STUDY
Nerve capping is a method of neuroma treatment or prevention that consists of the transplantation of a proximal nerve stump into an autograft or other material cap, after surgical removal of the neuroma or transection of the nerve. The aim was to reduce neuroma formation and symptoms by preventing neuronal adhesions and scar tissue. In this narrative literature review, we summarize the studies that have investigated the effectiveness of nerve capping for neuroma management to provide clarity and update the clinician's knowledge on the topic.
METHODS
A systematic electronic search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria was performed in the PubMed database combining "neuroma," "nerve," "capping," "conduit," "treatment," "management," "wrap," "tube," and "surgery" as search terms. English-language clinical studies on humans and animals that described nerve capping as a treatment/prevention technique for neuromas were then selected based on a full-text article review. The data from the included studies were compiled based on the technique and material used for nerve capping, and technique and outcomes were reviewed.
RESULTS
We found 10 applicable human studies from our literature search. Several capping materials were described: epineurium, nerve, muscle, collagen nerve conduit, Neurocap (synthetic copolymer of lactide and caprolactone, which is biocompatible and resorbable), silicone rubber, and collagen. Overall, 146 patients were treated in the clinical studies. After surgery, many patients were completely pain-free or had considerable improvement in pain scores, whereas some patients did not have improvement or were not satisfied after the procedure. Nerve capping was used in 18 preclinical animal studies, using a variety of capping materials including autologous tissues, silicone, and synthetic nanofibers. Preclinical studies demonstrated successful reduction in rates of neuroma formation.
CONCLUSIONS
Nerve capping has undergone major advancements since its beginnings and is now a useful option for the treatment or prevention of neuromas. As knowledge of peripheral nerve injuries and neuroma prevention grows, the criterion standard neuroprotective material for enhancement of nerve regeneration can be identified and applied to produce reliable surgical outcomes.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Amputation Stumps; Collagen; Neuroma; Peripheral Nerve Injuries; Peripheral Nerves
PubMed: 37962245
DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003714 -
JPRAS Open Dec 2023Retrieval of four finger injury at proximal stump amputation with segmental injury along with soft tissue defect and impending compartment syndrome continues to be...
Retrieval of four finger injury at proximal stump amputation with segmental injury along with soft tissue defect and impending compartment syndrome continues to be challenge for the surgeon. Immediate transplant considering temporary ectopic foster as a practical option in special case. We describe temporary ectopic finger implant for crush injury at Metacarpophalangeal (MCP level) with hand torsion along with forearm compartment was fostered to Dorsum of the foot. The torsion fingers was temporary fixed with mini external fixator for stabilization as salvage, ALT free flap was used to cover soft tissue defect of the hand. Replantation of survived figure was performed using the long pedicle to anatomical site without crushing the MCP joint to allow for later tendon transfer for finger. Satisfactory function regained with no foster site (foot) complication like pain or disability. The author validated ectopic foster for amputee as and procedure of choice for salvage of extremity under special circumstances.
PubMed: 37929061
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpra.2023.10.006 -
Journal of Neuroengineering and... Nov 2023The prosthetic socket is a key component that influences prosthesis satisfaction, with a poorly fitting prosthetic socket linked to prosthesis abandonment and reduced... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The prosthetic socket is a key component that influences prosthesis satisfaction, with a poorly fitting prosthetic socket linked to prosthesis abandonment and reduced community participation. This paper reviews adjustable socket designs, as they have the potential to improve prosthetic fit and comfort through accommodating residual limb volume fluctuations and alleviating undue socket pressure.
METHODS
Systematic literature and patent searches were conducted across multiple databases to identify articles and patents that discussed adjustable prosthetic sockets. The patents were used to find companies, organisations, and institutions who currently sell adjustable sockets or who are developing devices.
RESULTS
50 literature articles and 63 patents were identified for inclusion, representing 35 different designs used in literature and 16 commercially available products. Adjustable sockets are becoming more prevalent with 73% of publications (literature, patents, and news) occurring within the last ten years. Two key design characteristics were identified: principle of adjustability (inflatable bladders, moveable panels, circumferential adjustment, variable length), and surface form (conformable, rigid multi-DOF, and rigid single DOF). Inflatable bladders contributed to 40% of literature used designs with only one identified commercially available design (n = 16) using this approach. Whereas circumferential adjustment designs covered 75% of identified industry designs compared to only 36% of literature devices. Clinical studies were generally small in size and only 17.6% of them assessed a commercially available socket.
DISCUSSION
There are clear differences in the design focus taken by industry and researchers, with justification for choice of design and range of adjustment often being unclear. Whilst comfort is often reported as improved with an adjustable socket, the rationale behind this is not often discussed, and small study sizes reduce the outcome viability. Many adjustable sockets lack appropriate safety features to limit over or under tightening, which may present a risk of tissue damage or provide inadequate coupling, affecting function and satisfaction. Furthermore, the relationship between design and comfort or function are rarely investigated and remain a significant gap in the literature. Finally, this review highlights the need for improved collaboration between academia and industry, with a strong disconnect observed between commercial devices and published research studies.
Topics: Humans; Prosthesis Design; Research Design; Amputation Stumps; Artificial Limbs; Extremities
PubMed: 37926807
DOI: 10.1186/s12984-023-01270-0 -
Annals of Vascular Surgery May 2024The primary aim of this study was to assess the role of internal iliac patency in predicting outcomes of above-knee amputation (AKA) stump healing. The secondary...
BACKGROUND
The primary aim of this study was to assess the role of internal iliac patency in predicting outcomes of above-knee amputation (AKA) stump healing. The secondary objectives were to assess the accuracy of Wound, Ischemia, and Foot Infection (WIfI) classification system in predicting AKA stump healing and its association with delayed mortality.
METHODS
This is a retrospective study performed in a vascular surgery unit in a tertiary hospital on patients who underwent AKAs over 1 year, from July 2021 until June 2022. Patient demographic data, WIfI scoring, outcome of AKAs, and patency of profunda femoris and internal iliac artery (IIA) were collected. To minimize confounding, a single vascular surgeon performed all computed tomography imaging reviews and arterial measurements. Approval for this study was obtained from the National Research Registry, NMRR ID-23-01865-KQ4 (investigator initiated research).
RESULTS
Ninety patients underwent AKA over 1 year, from July 2021 until June 2022. Occluded IIA in the presence of patent profunda femoris did not affect the wound healing of the AKA stump. There was significant association between WIfI scoring and mortality. Patients with a WIfI scoring of 3 to 4 were observed to have a higher mortality rate compared with patients with normal healing: 47 (72.0%) vs. 4 (80.0%); P = 0.021.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, the IIA patency shows no statistically significant effect on AKA stump healing; however, the small number of patients is a drawback of the study. This study also demonstrates that the WIfI score can be a prognostic factor for mortality in patients undergoing AKA.
Topics: Humans; Amputation Stumps; Retrospective Studies; Iliac Artery; Treatment Outcome; Risk Factors; Limb Salvage; Peripheral Arterial Disease; Time Factors; Amputation, Surgical; Wound Healing
PubMed: 37924866
DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.09.097 -
Clinical Neurophysiology : Official... Dec 2023To evaluate cortical circuits and excitability of the motor cortex in the hemisphere contralateral to the affected (AH) and to the unaffected arm (UH), in upper limb...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate cortical circuits and excitability of the motor cortex in the hemisphere contralateral to the affected (AH) and to the unaffected arm (UH), in upper limb amputees.
METHODS
Motor evoked potentials (MEP) were recorded in 17 subjects who had upper limb amputation: 11 trans-radial (TR) and 6 trans-humeral (TH). Motor thresholds (MT), short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) in the available arm muscles of the stump were evaluated.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in MT between hemispheres. SICI was preserved in TR but not in TH group. Additionally, in the TR group, the MEP amplitudes in AH were higher than in UH. A significant IHI was observed in the whole sample but not in each hemisphere or patient group.
CONCLUSIONS
In our population of TR amputees, we found increased corticospinal excitability in the AH with preserved intracortical inhibition. This finding was not observed in the TH population.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the changes in intracortical excitability in amputees may enhance knowledge of the functional reorganization of the brain in the post-amputation phase, bringing useful information for prosthetic rehabilitation.
Topics: Humans; Arm; Amputees; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Amputation, Surgical; Motor Cortex; Evoked Potentials, Motor; Neural Inhibition
PubMed: 37918223
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.09.017 -
ANZ Journal of Surgery Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Surgical Flaps; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Amputation Stumps; Osteomyelitis
PubMed: 37905721
DOI: 10.1111/ans.18755 -
Cureus Sep 2023Diabetic-related foot condition is one of the most debilitating complications with a higher rate of failure in limb correction, reconstruction, or salvage surgery....
INTRODUCTION
Diabetic-related foot condition is one of the most debilitating complications with a higher rate of failure in limb correction, reconstruction, or salvage surgery. Amputation is the final option after other surgical treatments have failed. Major amputation increases energy consumption, resulting in high dependency, decreased mobility, and poor prognosis. Consequently, minor amputation is preferred to resolve these problems but elevated wound complications leading to inadequate prosthesis fit, became a detriment to minor amputation. Strict selection of patients is crucial to ensure success and good functional outcomes as demonstrated in this retrospective study of this case series. Methods This case series included six patients who underwent Pirogoff amputation with the modification described by Nather and reported the procedure's outcome. The inclusion criteria for subjects were the presence of palpable posterior tibial artery (PTA) or at least biphasic Doppler signal and ankle-brachial systolic index (ABSI) more than 0.70. Other demographic data as well as hematological, inflammatory, and biochemical parameters that may affect wound healing such as Hb, HbA1c, ESR, CRP, WBC, and albumin were recorded as well. The rate and time for wound healing and bone union, presence of complications, and final ambulatory status of patients were determined as the outcome of this study.
RESULTS
All of the patients had diabetic foot infections involving only the forefoot region with the presence of either palpable PTA or biphasic Doppler signal. Although the majority of the cases had deranged blood parameters, soft tissue and bone healing were achieved at variable times. Four had good outcomes as they were able to ambulate. One case was complicated with chronic wound dehiscence and another one had Pirogoff stump infection and required transtibial amputation.
CONCLUSION
With strict selection criteria, Pirogoff amputation may provide a good functional outcome with a lesser degree of complications compared to major amputation.
PubMed: 37905257
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46156 -
Annals of Vascular Surgery Feb 2024Popliteal artery injury (PAI) is a challenging trauma that requires prompt and accurate treatment since the probability of lower-limb amputation increases with the...
BACKGROUND
Popliteal artery injury (PAI) is a challenging trauma that requires prompt and accurate treatment since the probability of lower-limb amputation increases with the ischemic time. Intravascular shunting and cross-limb vascular shunting (CLS) are used as temporary vascular shunting (TVS) methods to shorten the ischemic time for limb vascular injury. CLS involves sending blood from an artery in a healthy body part to a peripheral vessel in an injured part to immediately resume blood flow to the injured limb. For closed injuries including PAI, CLS may be performed without exploring and identifying the arterial stumps and it enables early reperfusion to the ischemic limb. We report the case series of traumatic PAI treated using CLS and verify the usefulness of CLS.
METHODS
All patients with traumatic PAI treated with CLS at our institution between August 2013 and December 2021 were included. Demographic and clinical patient characteristics were extracted from the medical records. Comorbid injuries, severity of acute limb ischemia based on the Rutherford grading scale, time from injury to reperfusion by CLS, time from injury to completion of artery, and the use of fasciotomy were investigated. As outcomes, we investigated the presence or absence of lower extremity amputation during the course of treatment.
RESULTS
We used CLS as treatment for 5 cases with traumatic PAI. Based on the Rutherford grading scale for acute limb ischemia, there were one limb with grade 2B and 4 with grade 3. Amputation of the lower extremities was avoided except for 1 extremity in which arterial reconstruction was not achieved due to unexplained cardiac arrest during surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
CLS enables early reperfusion of the injured limb and is effective as a TVS method for traumatic PAI with severe ischemia or soft tissue damage.
Topics: Humans; Popliteal Artery; Limb Salvage; Treatment Outcome; Lower Extremity; Vascular System Injuries; Ischemia; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37858669
DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.08.033 -
Archives of Plastic Surgery Sep 2023This article portrays the authors' experience with a complex lower limb bone and soft tissue defect, following chronic osteomyelitis and pathological fracture, which was...
This article portrays the authors' experience with a complex lower limb bone and soft tissue defect, following chronic osteomyelitis and pathological fracture, which was managed by the multidisciplinary orthoplastic team. The decision for functional amputation versus limb salvage was deemed necessary, enhanced by the principles of "spare parts" in reconstructive microsurgery. This case describes the successful use of the osteocutaneous distal tibia turn-up fillet flap that allowed "lowering the level of the amputation" from a through knee to a below-knee amputation (BKA) to preserve the knee joint function. We comprehensibly review reports of turn-up flaps which effectively lower the level of amputation, also applying "spare-parts" surgery principles and explore how these concepts refine complex orthoplastic approaches when limb salvage is not possible to enhance function. The osteocutaneous distal tibia turn-up fillet flap is a robust technique for modified BKA reconstructions that provides sufficient bone length to achieve a tough, sensate stump and functional knee joint.
PubMed: 37808330
DOI: 10.1055/a-2033-5803 -
Zhonghua Shao Shang Yu Chuang Mian Xiu... Aug 2023To investigate the treatment methods of upper limbs with destructive electric burns and its clinical efficacy. A retrospective observational study was conducted. From... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
To investigate the treatment methods of upper limbs with destructive electric burns and its clinical efficacy. A retrospective observational study was conducted. From July 2014 to December 2020, 20 male patients with destructive electric burns in upper limbs who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital, aged from 21 to 57 years, of whom 7 patients underwent emergency surgery, and a total of 20 affected limbs were treated with limb salvage. The necrotic bone was resected in 5 affected limbs, the residual hand and wrist at the distal end of left affected limb was replanted to the residual end of the right forearm in one patient in a cross heterotopic way, and short reduction and replantation after osteotomy were performed for two affected limbs with distal ulnar and radial necrosis. After thorough debridement, the area of wound proposed to be repaired by tissue flap was from 12 cm×7 cm to 58 cm×13 cm. According to the size and distribution of wound, the wounds of 2 affected limbs were repaired by transplantation of pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and free groin flap with vascular anastomosis. The wounds of the remaining 17 affected limbs were repaired with the transplantation of free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, anterolateral thigh flaps, and paraumbilical perforator flap, with 10 affected limbs with larger wounds being jointly transplanted with the groin flap or the paraumbilical perforator flap on the other side. The total grafted tissue flap area was 20 cm×8 cm to 52 cm×20 cm. During tissue flap transplantation, according to the length of blood vessel defect in the affected limb, the distal artery of the affected limb was bridged with the distal part of flap vascular pedicle, undamaged vein on the affected side, superficial vein of abdominal wall, and great saphenous vein, etc., in 14 affected limbs, and the great saphenous vein was grafted in 3 of them with impeded distal return for recanalization of distal limb veins. The wound in the donor area was repaired by direct suture or grafting with split-thickness scalp. After the wound was basically healed, the functional rehabilitation training was started gradually, and the functional reconstruction and scar rectification surgery were started 3 months after tissue flap transplantation. The survival of tissue flaps/skin grafts, wound healing, limb salvage, and follow-up status after surgery were recorded. At the last follow-up, the function of the successfully salvaged limb was evaluated and scored by the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scoring scale. After surgery, the grafted tissue flap in the affected limb and the skin grafts transplanted on the wound at flap donor site survived, and wounds at the recipient and donor sites healed well. Two affected limbs had distal necrosis within 10 days after tissue flap transplantation, and the middle and upper forearms were amputated. The remaining 18 affected limbs were successfully salvaged (including shortened replantation and cross heterotopic replantation). During 6-48 months of follow-up, 5 affected limbs that were successfully salvaged developed aseptic dissolution of residual tendon and bone tissue 3 to 18 months after tissue flap transplantation, which gradually healed after surgical debridement combined with vacuum sealing drainage treatment. At the last follow-up, the stump of two affected limbs healed well after amputation; 18 affected limbs that were successfully salvaged all survived well, of which 8 affected limbs had good recovery of finger flexion and extension function and thumb opponensplasty and could complete daily activities independently, 9 affected limbs regained partial mobility and could complete daily activities such as dressing and eating with the assistance of the opposite upper limb or auxiliary devices, and one affected limb had no function. At the last follow-up, the functional scores of DASH scoring scale of the 18 affected limbs that were successfully salvaged ranged from 30.0 to 100. Timely surgical debridement, proper treatment of the injured bone tissue, effective vascular bridging for reconstruction of the distal artery of the affected limb, and the use of blood-rich tissue flap to repair the wound, combined with early rehabilitation and functional restoration treatment, are beneficial to salvage the upper limb with destructive electric burns and improve the function of the affected limb.
Topics: Humans; Male; Burns, Electric; Necrosis; Perforator Flap; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Skin Transplantation; Soft Tissue Injuries; Treatment Outcome; Upper Extremity; Wound Healing; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Limb Salvage
PubMed: 37805783
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501225-20230530-00188