Objective To explore the clinical effect of the lower rotating point super sural neurocutaneous vascular flap on the repair of the softtissue defects in the ankle and foot. Methods From May 2001 to February 2006, 24 patients with the soft tissue defects in the ankle and foot were treated with the lower rotating point super sural neurocutaneous vascular flaps. Among the patients, 15 had an injury in a traffic accident, 6 were wringedand rolled by a machine, 1 was frostbited in both feet, 2 were burned, 25 had an exposure of the bone and joint. The disease course varied from 3 days to 22 months; 19 patients began their treatment 3-7 days after the injury and 5 patients were treated by an elective operation. The soft tissue defects ranged in area from 22 cm × 12 cm to 28 cm × 12 cm. The flaps ranged in size from 24 cm × 14cm to 30 cm × 14 cm, with a range up to the lower region of the popliteal fossa. The rotating point of the flap could be taken in the region 1-5 cm above thelateral malleolar. The donor site was covered by an intermediate thickness skingraft. Results All the 25 flaps in 24 patients survived with asatisfactory appearance and a good function. The distal skin necrosis occurred in 1 flap, but healing occurred after debridement and intermediate thickness skin grafting. The follow-up for 3 months to 5 years revealed that the patients had a normal gait, the flaps had a good sense and a resistance to wearing, and no ulcer occurred. The two point discrimination of the flap was 5-10 mm. Conclusion The lower rotating point super sural neurocutaneous vascular flap has a good skin quality, a high survival rate, and a large donor skin area. The grafting is easy, without any sacrifice of the major blood vessel; therefore, it is a good donor flap in repairing a large soft tissue defect in the ankle and foot.
The article focuses on the recent progress in foot and ankle surgery, including the diagnosis of disease, treatment protocols, outcomes, and evaluation tools as well as other innovations. New and accurate diagnostic modalities and measurements have undergone a breakthrough. Diagnostic modalities tend to be simpler and less expensive. Measurement tools also change to simpler and more accurate. The accuracy and efficacy of surgery and the minimally invasive method have become more popular and important. New treatments and basic research have also made breakthroughs.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of flexible fixation and rigid fixation in the treatment of ankle pronation-external rotation fractures with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis.MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 50 patients with ankle pronation-external rotation fractures and distal tibiofibular syndesmosis treated between January 2013 and December 2015. Suture-button fixation was used in 23 patients (flexible fixation group) and cortical screw fixation in 27 patients (rigid fixation group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, weight, side, fracture type, and time from trauma to surgery between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, medial clear space (MCS), tibiofibular clear space (TFCS), tibiofibular overlap (TFO), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) score were compared between 2 groups.ResultsThe operation time was (83.0±9.1) minutes in the flexible fixation group and was (79.6±13.1) minutes in the rigid fixation group, showing no significant difference (t=1.052, P=0.265). All patients achieved healing of incision by first intention. The patients were followed up 12-20 months (mean, 14 months). The X-ray films showed good healing of fracture in 2 groups. There was no screw fracture, delayed union or nounion. The fracture healing time was (12.1±2.5) months in the flexible fixation group and was (11.3±3.2) months in the rigid fixation group, showing no significant difference between 2 groups (t=1.024, P=0.192). Reduction loss occurred after removal of screw in 2 cases of the rigid fixation group. At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in MCS, TFCS, TFO, AOFAS score and FADI score between 2 groups (P>0.05).ConclusionSuture-button fixation has similar effectiveness to screw fixation in ankle function and imaging findings, and flexible fixation has lower risk of reduction loss of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis than rigid fixation.
ObjectiveTo review the development and clinical application of ankle prosthesis.MethodsThe recent literature on ankle prosthesis design and clinical application was reviewed and analyzed. ResultsCompared with the hip and knee prostheses, the ankle prosthesis develops slowly and has been developed to the third generation. The ankle joint has a special structure of multi-axis movement. The design of the first and second generations of prostheses is not conformed to the biomechanics of the ankle. The third generation of prosthesis is more conform to the characteristics of ankle biomechanics, with high postoperative survival rate and satisfactory clinical outcome. ConclusionAt present, the survival rate of ankle prosthesis is low, and there is still much room for improvement in biomechanics, materials, and other aspects.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of perforator propeller flap of lower limb in the treatment of foot and ankle defect in children. Methods The clinical data of 28 children with foot and ankle defect treated with perforator propeller flap of lower limb between January 2018 and January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 boys and 10 girls with an average age of 7.3 years (range, 6-14 years). There were 8 cases of traffic accident injury and 20 cases of chronic infection wound. The disease duration was 2-4 months, with an average of 2.8 months. After thorough debridement, the residual wound size ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 9 cm×5 cm. Repairing was performed after 7-28 days of the infection in control. According to the location, size, and shape of the wound, the perforating vessels were located by ultrasonic Doppler, and the perforator propeller flap (area ranged from 6 cm×5 cm to 11 cm×6 cm) was designed and harvested to repair the wound. Flap transfer combined with free split-thickness skin graft covered the wound in 2 cases. The donor site was sutured directly (22 cases) or repaired with skin graft (6 cases). Results Twenty-six flaps survived, of which 20 cases were in primary healing, and 6 cases had epidermal necrosis at the end of small paddle, which healed after dressing change. Necrosis occurred in 2 cases due to venous crisis which healed after anterolateral femoral flap free transplantation. Primary wound healing was achieved in donor site. All 28 children were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 10.5 months). The texture, shape, and motor function of the lower limb was satisfactory. At last follow-up, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS) score was 89.8±8.0, which was significantly different from the preoperative score (79.6±10.4) (t=−11.205, P<0.001); 20 cases were excellent, 6 cases were good, and 2 cases were poor, and the excellent and good rate was 92.8%. ConclusionThe perforator propeller flap of lower limb in children has its own characteristics. It is a reliable method to repair the foot and ankle defect in children.
ObjectiveTo analyze the safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided endovascular treatment for femoropopliteal arteriosclerosis obliteran (ASO). MethodsThe clinical data of patients with femoropopliteal ASO were collected and analyzed. The patients were treated by ultrasound-guided endovascular intervention in the Xijing Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, from March 2015 to June 2021. The endovascular intervention methods included the arterial balloon dilation (ABD) alone, stent implantation (SI), Rotarex mechanical thrombus removal (Abbreviationas: Rotarex), and thrombolytic catheter implantation (CDT), etc. ResultsAll 112 patients (121 affected extremities) who met the research criteria were collected. Among them, there were 13, 68, and 40 affected extremities by the Rutherford classification of 2, 3, and 4, respectively, while 41, 39, and 41 affected extremities by the Trans-Atlantic Inter-SocietyConsensus Ⅱ classification of A, B, and C, respectively. Among 121 affected extremities, 61 underwent the ABD alone, 27 underwent ABD plus Rotarex, 12 underwent ABD plus SI, 6 underwent ABD plus SI plus Rotarex, 3 underwent ABD plus SI plus CDT, 7 underwent ABD plus CDT plus Rotarex, and 5 underwent ABD plus CDT. The ultrasound-guided endovascular treatments were completed successfully in 118 affected extremities (the success rate was 97.5%), and 3 affected extremities were not completely completed by ultrasound guidance. After operation, 5 affected extremities had pseudoaneurysm and 7 affected extremities had hematoma at the puncture site, which were cured after conservative management. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) of the affected extremities immediately after surgery was statistically higher than that before surgery [0.89±0.13 vs. 0.53±0.09, mean difference (95% confidence interval)=0.36 (0.34, 0.38), paired t-test (t=–25.17), P<0.001]. After a follow-up of 12 months, one patient had a metatarsal amputation and one patient died (acute myocardial infarction). The restenosis rate and reintervention rate of the target lesions were 25.0% (30/120) and 15.0% (18/120) at 12 months postoperatively, and the late loss of diameter was (0.88±0.25) mm. The ABI was still higher than before surgery [0.78±0.13 vs. 0.53±0.09, mean difference (95% confidence interval)=0.25 (0.22, 0.27), paired t-test, t=–17.61, P<0.001]. ConclusionFrom analysis results of this data, it can be seen that, ultrasound-guided endovascular intervention is a safe and effective treatment for selective femoropopliteal ASO.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between pulmonary ventilation function (obstructive and restrictive ventilation dysfunction) and atherosclerosis, and explore the correlation between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV, an effective index for evaluating atherosclerosis) and pulmonary ventilation function.MethodsFrom January to August 2018, a total of 6403 healthy subjects who reported no major chronic diseases such as stroke, myocardial infarction, cor pulmonale or malignant tumor were selected. Past history such as smoking history, hypertension, diabetes, blood biochemistry, and blood hypersensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP), hemodynamic indexes such as systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and ba-PWV, body measurement indexes such as height, weight, waist circumference and pulmonary ventilation function were collected. The relationship between ba-PWV and pulmonary ventilation function were evaluated.ResultsA total of 2433 subjects were included, including 916 males and 1517 females. Ba-PWV showed significant positive correlations with age, smoking index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, hs-CRP, glycosylated hemoglobin, and significant negative correlations with height, percentage of forced vital capacity (FVC) in the predicted value (FVC%pred), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), percentage of FEV1 in the predicted value (FEV1%pred), FEV1/FVC ratio and percentage of maximun midexpiratory flow (MMEF) in the predicted value (MMEF%pred). The ba-PWV was not correlated with weight, body mass index, FVC, MMEF, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, high density lipoprotein, creatinine or uric acid. In multiple regression analysis using factors other than ba-PWV and respiratory function as adjustment variables, both FVC%pred and FEV1%pred showed significant negative relationships with ba-PWV (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe results indicate that FEV1/FVC, an indicator of airflow limitation, is not a predictor of ba-PWV. However, since ba-PWV showed significant negative relationship with FVC%pred and FEV1%pred, clinically assessment of arterial stiffness might be considered in individuals with impaired pulmonary ventilation.
Objective To review the progress of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) in treatment of end-stage ankle osteoarthritis (AOA). Methods The domestic and foreign literatures about TAA in recent years were reviewed. The current status and progress of TAA were summarized from the results of traditional and computer-assisted TAA clinical outcomes. Results End-stage AOA often leads to severe pain and dysfunction, and arthrodesis is still the main selective treatment option. In recent years, with the advancement of surgical techniques and prosthesis design, TAA which can remain joint mobility has increased gradually, and the surgical results also have significant progress. Accurate prosthesis implant and mechanical alignment restoration are critical factors for TAA, and surgery-related malalignment is correlative to the prosthesis failure. Computer assisted patient-specific guide can simplify the TAA procedures and obtain the accuracy of tibia and talus osteotomy. Conclusion The clinical efficiency of preoperative CT based patient-specific guide technology for TAA needs further clinical follow-up. Meanwhile, it is necessary to further develop intraoperative navigation and robotic surgery system suitable for TAA.
Objective To investigate effectiveness of the medial ankle branches propeller " Tennis racket-like” flap in repair of heel-ankle tissue defect. Methods Between June 2011 and June 2016, 50 patients with heel-ankle tissue defects were treated. There were 40 males and 10 females, with a median age of 35.6 years (range, 6–58 years). The defects were caused by trauma in 44 cases, scar deformity after trauma in 2 cases, chronic ulcer in 2 cases, and squamous cell carcinoma in 2 cases. The defects located at heel in 20 cases, ankle in 15 cases, and heel-ankle in 15 cases. The size of heel-ankle tissue defect ranged from 3.5 cm×2.0 cm to 13.0×10.0 cm. The course of disease ranged from 3 hours to 2 months (mean, 28 days). All wounds were repaired by the medial ankle branches propeller " Tennis racket-like” flap in a size of 3.8 cm×2.2 cm–13.4 cm×10.3 cm. The donor site was directly sutured in 5 cases or repaired by skin grafting in 45 cases. Results All flaps survived and wounds healed by first intention. Partial necrosis of skin grafting occurred in 1 case, and the wound recovered by change dressing. The other skin grafting survived and wounds healed by first intention. Forty-eight patients were followed up 12 months after operation. The appearance, sensory, and function of repaired heel-ankle flaps were satisfactory. Conclusion For heel-ankle tissue defect repair, the medial ankle branches propeller " Tennis racket-like” flap has advantages of the high survival rate, reliable blood supply, and sensory recovery.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis with full thread headless compression screws via combined minimal incisions.MethodsBetween January 2012 and December 2016, 36 patients (36 feet) with ankle diseases underwent tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis with parallel double thread headless compression screws via minimal anterior and lateral oblique incisions. There were 14 males and 22 females with an average age of 53.8 years (range, 18-76 years). There were 19 cases of left feet and 17 cases of right feet. There were 21 cases of talar necrosis, 7 cases of post-traumatic arthritis, 3 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 2 cases of tuberculosis infection (inactive), 1 case of talar absence, 1 case of Charcot’s disease, and 1 case of pigmented villonodular synovitis of ankle and subtalar joints. Preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were 53.7±2.5 and 5.9±0.2, respectively. The operation time was recorded and the wound healing and complications were observed. The bone healing was assessed by X-ray film and CT scanning. The function and pain of joint were evaluated by AOFAS and VAS scores.ResultsThe mean operation time was 49.8 minutes (range, 33-82 minutes). Incision infection occurred in 1 patient (2.8%) at 3 weeks after operation, and recovered after debridement. The other incisions healed by first intention without complications. Thirty-five patients were followed up with an average of 18.5 months (range, 12-29 months). Imaging examination showed fusion of the ankle and subtalar joints with an average fusion time of 10.9 weeks (range, 8-15 weeks). After 1 year, the AOFAS score (84.7±0.6) and VAS score (0.3±0.1) were significantly higher than preoperative scores (t=12.596, P=0.000; t=30.393, P=0.000).ConclusionIt is an effective surgical method of tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis with full thread headless compression screws via combined minimal incisions for end-stage ankle disease because of the less complications incidence and the higher postoperative fusion rate.