Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of surgical thrombectomy for acute deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities. Methods Randomized controlled trials of surgery versus conservative treatment were sought from MEDLINE (1966-Jun.2006), EMbase (1974-Jun.2006), The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2006), CBM (1989-Jun. 2006) and CMCC (1994-Jun. 2006). Collections of Chinese Congress on Vascular Surgery (1991-Jun.2006) and the journal of Vascular Surgery (2000-Jun. 2006) were handsearched. Two reviewers independently extracted data into a designed extraction form. The guidance in The Cochrane Collaboration’s Handbook was consulted for quality evaluation and data analysis. Results Six potentially eligible studies were identified. Six were included according to the inclusion criteria. The 6-month total patency was significantly higher in the surgical treatment group than in the conservative treatment group with OR 7.26 and 95%CI 2.40 to 21.94, while the 5-year total patency was not different between the two groups with OR 2.59 and 95%CI 0.88 to 7.67. At month 6 and year 5, the incidence of post-thrombosis syndrome (PTS) was significantly higher in the conservative treatment group than in the surgical treatment group with OR 0.11, 95%CI 0.59 to 1.59, OR0.18, 95%CI 0.06 to 0.60 respectively. The incidence of 10-year PTS and the results of valvular function measurements were similar between the two groups. The incidence of pulmonary thrombosis was also comparable between the two groups with OR 1.40 and 95%CI 0.39 to 4.97. Conclusion Surgical thrombectomy may improve the extent of patency and venous valvular sufficiency in the short term, but without increasing the patency rate. There is no enough evidence to assess whether surgical throbectomy improves long-term outcomes. It is safe to preform surgical thrombectomy. The small number of patients randomised and the low quality of the trials decreases the reliability of the current evidence. Therefore, more high quality randomised controlled studies should be done, to determine the long-term outcomes of surgical thrombectomy.
Objective To provide the anatomic basis for defect repair of the knee, leg, foot and ankle with great saphenous venosaphenous neurocutaneous vascular island flaps. Methods The origin, diameter, branches, distribution and anatomoses of the saphenous artery and saphenous neurocutaneous vascular were observed on 20 sides of adult leg specimens and 4 fresh cadaver voluntary legs. Another4 fresh cadaver voluntary legs were radiogeaphed with a soft X-ray system afterthe intravenous injection of Vermilion and cross-sections under profound fascial, otherhand, micro-anatomic examination was also performed in these 4 fresh cadaver legs. The soft tissue defects in lower extremity,upper extremity, heel or Hucou in handwere repaired with the proximal or distal pedicle flaps or free flaps in 18 patients(12 males and 6 females,aging from 7 to 3 years). The defect was caused by trauma, tumour, ulcer and scar.The locations were Hucou (1 case), upper leg(3 cases), lower extremity and heal (14 cases). Of then, 7 cases were complicatedby bone exposure, 3 cases by tendon exposure and 1 case by steel expouse. the defect size were 4 cm×4 cm to 7 cm×13 cm. The flap sizes were 4 cm×6 cm to 8 cm×15 cm, which pedicle length was 8-11 cm with 2.-4.0 cm fascia and 12 cm skin at width. Results Genus descending genicular artery began from 9.33±0.81 cm away from upper the condylus medialis, it branched saphenous artery accompanying saphenous nerve descendent. And saphenous artery reached the surface of the skin 7.21±0.82 cm away from lower the condylus medialis,and anastomosed with the branches of tibialis posterior artery, like “Y” or “T” pattern. The chain linking system of arteries were found accompanying along the great saphenous vein as saphenous nerve, and then a axis blood vessel was formed. The small artery of only 00-0.10 mm in diameter, distributed around the great saphenousvein within 58 mm and arranged parallelly along the vein like water wave in soft X-ray film. All proximal flaps,distal pedicle flaps and free flaps survived well. The appearance, sensation and function were satisfactory in 14 patientsafter a follow-up of 6-12 months. Conclusion The great saphenous vein as well as saphenous neurocutaneous has a chain linking system vascular net. A flap with the vascular net can be transplanted by free, by reversed pedicle, or by direct pedicle to repair the wound of upper leg and foot. A superficial vein-superficial neurocutaneous vascular flap with abundance blood supply and without sacrificing a main artery is a favouriate method in repair of soft tissue defects in foot and lower extremity.
Objective To explore the treatment of thromboangitis obliterans (TAO) of lower extremities. Methods From March 1994 to February 2009, 24 cases (26 limbs) affected by chronic ischemia were diagnosed as TAO by Doppler ultrasound and DSA, CTA or MRA. According to the different levels of the extensive and diffuse arterial occlusion, the revascularization was performed in the ways: 19 cases (21 limbs) underwent venous arterialization, 3 cases (3 limbs) underwent endovascular therapy, and 2 cases (2 limbs) underwent thrombectomy. Results After the venous arterialization, 19 cases (21 limbs) were followed up for 1 to 14.5 years. Apart from the 5 limbs amputation (23.8%), the postoperative results of the most limbs were satisfactory (61.9%). The ABI before therapy (0.38±0.11) was significantly lower than that 6 months after therapy (0.79±0.08), Plt;0.05. In 3 cases (3 limbs) underwent endovascular therapy, one case failed and then received the venous arterialization. Two cases (2 limbs) finished thrombectomy successfully. After endovascular therapy and thrombectomy, these 4 cases were followed up for 1 to 4 years without the amputation. ConclusionIn order to improve the curative effect, it is important to choose the suitable therapeutic strategy according to the different levels of the extensive and diffuse arterial occlusion. The venous arterialization is an effective treatment for TAO of lower extremities.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term effects on the lower limb function after S1 nerve root transection as dynamic source. MethodsBetween January 2007 and December 2011, 47 patients with atonic bladder dysfunction underwent S1 nerve root transposition to reconstrut the bladder function. There were 43 males and 4 females, with an average age of 40.7 years (range, 22-66 years). The locations were LS1 in 33 cases, LS2 in 5 cases, LS3 in 2 cases, TS12, LS1 in 3 cases, LS1, LS2 in 1 case, LS1, LS3 in 1 case, LS1, LS4 in 1 case, and LS2, LS3 in 1 case. The anastomosis of the SS2 or SS3 nerve root to S1 nerve root was performed from 4 to 24 months (mean, 8 months) after spinal cord injury. The strength of ankle plantar flexion was grade 4 in 5 cases and grade 5 in 42 cases before operation. ResultsThe strength of ankle plantar flexion had no obvious decrease (grade 4 or 5) in 31 cases, reduced 0.5 grade in 16 cases at 2 days after operation. All the patients were followed up 3-8 years (mean, 5.1 years). At 2 weeks after operation, the nerve electrophysiological examination showed neurogenic damage at operated side in most patients, including reduced amplitude tibial nerve in 19 cases, for common peroneal nerve in 13 cases, and for tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve in 9 cases. Except the velocity of common peroneal nerve (t=-1.881, P=0.093), the other electric physiological indexes showed significant differences between at pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). The muscle strength basically recovered to preoperative level (grade 4 or 5) during follow-up, and there was no impairment of lower limb function. ConclusionS1 transection has no significant effects on lower limb function, so S1 nerve can be used as dynamic nerve for nerve function reconstruction.
Objective To explore the clinical experience of endovascular treatment for arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) of lower extremities. Methods Endovascular treatment were performed on 22 patients (26 limbs) suffering from ASO which were diagnosed by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The clinical efficacy after operation was analyzed. Results Twentytwo lower extremities of 18 patients successfully accepted endovascular treatment with 12 stents planted without major complications. Four cases failed to endovascular treatment and 2 of them converted to bypass surgery. The clinical symptoms of limb ischemia vanished or significantly improved after treatment. The ankle brachial index (ABI) of affected extremities increased from 0.35±0.13 (before operation) to 0.70±0.15 (after operation), Plt;0.01. During the follow-up of 2-18 months, 3 cases suffered re-occlusion of artery of lower extremity, in them one case received drug treatment and 2 cases resolved by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stenting again. Conclusion Endovascular treatment for ASO of lower extremities has such advantages as minimal invasiveness, reduced complications and repeatability. It may serve as a more promising choice of method to clinical treatment of ASO.
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic evaluation of catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with multiple minimally invasive techniques of endovascular in the treatment of lower extremity atherosclerotic occlusive disease (ASO). MethodsClinical data of 64 ASO patients who were treated in our hospital from June 2011 to October 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. These patients were divided into two groups according to the therapies:33 patients were treated by catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with multiple minimally invasive techniques of endovascular (combination group), and the other 31 patients were only treated by multiple minimally invasive techniques of endovascular (intervention group). Comparison of the clinical indexes was performed between the 2 groups, including vascular patency rate, stent implantation rate, operation time, ankle-brachial index (ABI), saturation of blood oxygen (SO2) of toes, temperature of foot skin, amputation rate, and hospitalization expense. ResultsIn the same group (combination group and intervention group), compared with the time point of before operation, the clinical indexes of the ABI, SO2 of toes, and temperature of foot skin were higher after operation (P<0.05). At the same time point of before or after operation, there were no significant difference between the 2 groups in ABI, SO2 of toes, and temperature of foot skin (P>0.05). The vascular patency rate of combination group was higher than that of intervention group[97.0% (32/33) vs. 83.9% (26/31)], P<0.05. But the stent implantation rate[18.2% (6/33) vs. 64.5% (20/31)], amputation rate[3.0% (1/33) vs. 16.1% (5/31)], operative time[(2.0±0.5) h vs. (4.0±1.1) h], and hospitalization expense of patients who got successful limb salvage[(8 500±1 200) yuan vs. (34 000±2 100) yuan] of combination group were all lower or shorter than those of intervention group (P<0.05). After operation, there were no complication happened in the patients who got successful limb salvage of combination group (n=32) and intervention group (n=26). In postoperative 6 months, the lower extremity arteries in patients who got successful limb salvage of combination group and intervention group were all examined by color ultrasonography, and they were unblocked. The lower extremity arteries of the patients with stent implantation in the 2 groups suffered with no obvious stenosis or occlusion. ConclusionsCatheter-directed thrombolysis combined with multiple minimally invasive techniques of endovascular can become one of the surgical treatment methods for ASO, which characterized by minimally invasive operation, effective treatment, and low cost.
Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with vena cava filter on deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of lower extremity.Methods The clinical data of 65 patients with DVT of lower extremities from January 2008 to August 2009 were analyzed retrospectively, whose course of diseases were not more than 7 d and clinical type included central type and mixed type. Thirty-two cases were treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with vena cava filter, while administrating treatment of anticoagulation and activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis, which were named as study group. Thirty-three cases were treated traditionally with thrombolysis, anticoagulation, and activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis, which were named as control group. The course of therapy was continued 10-14 d, then the efficacy in two groups patients was evaluated. Results It was (7.35±1.42) cm that circumference difference before treatment between affected extremties and unaffected extremties in study group, which of 3, 7, and 14 d after treatment was (4.21±1.12) cm， (2.87±0.98) cm, and (1.22±1.02) cm, respectively. Circumference difference between before and after treatment had significant difference in study group (Plt;0.01). It was (6.97±1.27) cm that circumference difference before treatment between affected extremties and unaffected extremties in control group, which of 3, 7, and 14 d after treatment was (5.72±1.31) cm, (4.58±0.88) cm, and (3.18±1.24) cm, respectively. Circumference difference between before treatment and 3, 7, and 14 d after treatment had significant difference in control group (Plt;0.05 or Plt;0.01). Circumference difference before treatment in two groups had no significant difference (Pgt;0.05). Circumference difference after treatment at different time points in two groups was significantly different, respectively (Plt;0.01). Circumference difference after treatment at different time points in study group was significantly less than that in control group, respectively (Plt;0.01). After 14 d, complete recanalization rate （71.88%, 23/32） and cure rate (71.88%, 23/32) of iliofemoral vein in study group were significant higher than that (36.36%, 12/33) in control group (Plt;0.01). No pulmonary embolism occurred. Conclusion In terms of ideal therapy targets of DVT of lower extremity, the catheterdirected thrombolysis combined with vena cava filter is obviously superior to traditional thrombolysis treatment.
In order to improve the motion fluency and coordination of lower extremity exoskeleton robots and wearers, a pace recognition method of exoskeleton wearer is proposed base on inertial sensors. Firstly, the triaxial acceleration and triaxial angular velocity signals at the thigh and calf were collected by inertial sensors. Then the signal segment of 0.5 seconds before the current time was extracted by the time window method. And the Fourier transform coefficients in the frequency domain signal were used as eigenvalues. Then the support vector machine (SVM) and hidden Markov model (HMM) were combined as a classification model, which was trained and tested for pace recognition. Finally, the pace change rule and the human-machine interaction force were combined in this model and the current pace was predicted by the model. The experimental results showed that the pace intention of the lower extremity exoskeleton wearer could be effectively identified by the method proposed in this article. And the recognition rate of the seven pace patterns could reach 92.14%. It provides a new way for the smooth control of the exoskeleton.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and technical essentials of soft tissue defect reconstruction of the lower extremity using the distally based anteromedial thigh flap (dAMT) pedicled with perforating vessels from rectus femoris branch. MethodsBetween July 2008 and December 2015, 6 patients underwent defect reconstruction of the lower extremity using the dAMT flap pedicled with perforating vessels from rectus femoris branch. There were 4 males and 2 females with an average age of 34 years (range, 4-55 years). The etiologies included liposarcoma in 1 case, malignant fibrous histocytoma in 1 case, post-burn scar contracture around the ankle in 1 case, and post-burn scar contracture around the knee in 3 cases. The disease duration ranged from 3 to 28 months (mean, 13 months). After resection of lesion tissues, the defect size ranged from 13 cm×7 cm to 24 cm×12 cm. The flap size ranged from 15 cm×8 cm to 24 cm×12 cm. The length of the pedicle ranged from 10 to 25 cm (mean, 19.8 cm). The distance from the flap pivot point to the superolateral border of the patella ranged from 8 to 13 cm (mean, 11.3 cm). The donor sites were directly sutured. ResultsAll flaps survived postoperatively without any complications. All wounds at the donor and the recipient sites healed primarily. The patients were followed up from 5 to 36 months (mean, 17.8 months). The color, texture, and thickness of the flaps were similar to those of the surrounding skin. No tumor recurrence was observed. The range of motion of flexion and extension of the joint were greatly improved in the patients with scar contracture. ConclusionIf the rectus femoris branch gives off cutaneous branch to the anteromedial thigh region and arises from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, a dAMT flap could be raised to reconstruct soft tissue defects of the lower extremity.
ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of transposition of the proximal motor branches from tibial nerve (TN) as direct donors to suture the deep peroneal nerve (DPN) so as to provide a basis for surgical treatment of high fibular nerve injury. MethodsNineteen lower limb specimens were selected from 3 donors who experienced high-level amputation (2 left limbs and 1 right limb) and 8 fresh frozen cadavers (8 left limbs and 8 right limbs). The length and diameter of the three motor branches from TN (soleus, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius) and the distance from the initial points to the branch point of the common peroneal nerve (CPN), as well as the length and diameter of the noninvasive separated bundles of DPN, then the feasibility of tensionless suturing between the donor nerves and the DPN bundle was evaluated. At last, part of the nerve tissue was cut out for HE and Acetylcholine esterase staining observation and the nerve fiber count. ResultsGross anatomic observation indicated the average distance from the initial points of the three donor nerves to the branch point of the CPN was (71.44±2.76) (medial gastrocnemius), (75.66±3.20) (lateral gastrocnemius), and (67.50±3.22) mm (soleus), respectively. The three donor nerves and the DPN bundles had a mean length of (31.09±2.01), (38.44±2.38), (59.18±2.72), and (66.44±2.85) mm and a mean diameter of (1.72±0.08), (1.88±0.08), (2.10±0.10), and (2.14±0.12) mm, respectively. The histological observation showed the above-mentioned four nerve bundles respectively had motor fiber number of 2 032±58, 2 186±24, 3 102±85, and 3 512±112. Soleus nerve had similar diameter and number of motor fibers to DPN bundles (P>0.05), but the diameter and number of motor fibers of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius were significantly less than those of DPN bundles (P<0.05). ConclusionAll of the three motor branches from TN at popliteal fossa can be used as direct donors to suture the DPN for treating high CPN injuries. The nerve to the soleus muscle should be the first choice.