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Background “Academic surgeon” describes a member of a medical school department of surgery, but this term does not fully define the important role of such physician-scientists in advancing surgical science through translational research and innovation. Methods The curriculum vitae and self-descriptive vignettes of the records of achievement of seven surgeons possessing documented records of academic leadership, innovation, and dissemination of knowledge were reviewed. Results Out analysis yielded seven attributes of the archetypal academic surgeon: 1) identifies complex clinical problems ignored or thought unsolvable by others, 2) becomes an expert, 3) innovates to advance treatment, 4) observes outcomes to further improve and innovate, 5) disseminates knowledge and expertise, 6) asks important questions to further improve care, and 7) trains the next generation of surgeons and scientists. Conclusion Although alternative pathways to innovation and academic contribution also exist, the academic surgeon typically devotes years of careful observation, analysis, and iterative investigation to identify and solve challenging or unexplored clinical problems, ideally leverages resources available in academic medical centers to support these endeavors.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) effectively reduces stroke risk in properly selected patients. Subgroup analysis of the Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Study trial noted increased complications in women. Additional studies implicate female gender as a risk factor for perioperative stroke, leading some clinicians to modify the indications for CEA in women. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of gender on the risk of perioperative complications in patients undergoing CEA.The records of all patients who underwent CEA at a university medical center from January 1995 to December 1999 were reviewed. Patient demographics, procedure related risk factors, operative details, and specific complications were entered into a database for statistical analysis.A total of 324 consecutive patients underwent CEA during the study period. There were 199 men (61%) and 125 women (39%). Among the men and women, there were no differences in age, smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, family history, renal insufficiency, or symptomatic versus asymptomatic indications for CEA. More women than men received a carotid patch (90.4% versus 77.9%, P = 0.003). One woman died (0.8%) and no men died for a total combined 30-day mortality of 0.31% (P = not significant). Men and women did not differ in rates of stroke (1.5% versus 2.4%) or perioperative myocardial infarction (1.0% versus 0.8%). In addition, there was no difference when stroke and death rates were combined (2% versus 3.2%). The length of stay (2.2 versus 2.6 days) was also not different.There are no significant differences in rate of stroke, myocardial infarction, or 30-day mortality, between men and women following CEA. Women should not be excluded from the benefits of CEA based on perceived increased complication rates.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate patients undergoing operative debridement for heel ulceration and to categorize pedal perfusion and its influence on therapeutic alternatives. Methods: Patients with heel ulceration were stratified by arteriography and graded I (patent posterior tibial, PT), II (occluded PT/reconstituted from peroneal), III (PT reconstituted from dorsal pedal), IV (no PT reconstitution but visible heel tributaries), and V (avascular heel). Results: From May 1992 through January 1997, 23 patients underwent operative treatment for 25 heel ulcers. The heel ischemia score stratified patients into two groups: 1, revascularization/debridement (71% grades I to III, 29% grade IV, 0% grade V); and 2, free tissue transfer with or without revascularization (100% grades IV, V). Cumulative functional limb salvage was 91% (BP), 60% (BP+TT), and 81% (TT) at 24 months ( P = 0.15 log rank). Conclusion: The heel ischemia score may direct treatment of heel ulceration by identifying patients who will need vascularized tissue transfer early in their treatment regimen.

Background The extent of tissue loss amenable to primary healing after revascularization is unknown. Salvage of limbs with large soft-tissue defects with exposed tendon, joint, or bone lies beyond the limits of conventional techniques. We report our results using free tissue transfer as an adjunct to lower extremity vascular reconstruction in patients with complex ischemic or infected wounds. Methods Retrospective chart review of patient and wound characteristics. Results From January 1992 to June 1996, 585 procedures were performed in 544 patients, including 27 free flaps in 26 patients: 17 free flaps combined with distal bypass (7 staged, 10 simultaneous) and 10 isolated free flaps. Flap donor sites included radial forearm (8), latissimus dorsi (7), rectus abdominus (9), and scapula (3). Surgical indications included extensive ischemic/neurotrophic ulcers, and nonhealing vein graft harvest incision or transmetatarsal amputation site. Mean area of tissue loss was 70 cm2, mean ulcer duration was 5 months, and 92% of patients had exposed tendon, joint, or bone. During a mean follow-up of 14 months, 2 patients died of cardiopulmonary disease and 3 flaps failed, resulting in below-knee amputation. Six flaps were revised for graft stenosis (1), venous thrombosis (1), or flap edge necrosis (4). Limb salvage rate was 70% at 24 months by life-table analysis. Functional ambulation was achieved in 21 of 24 (88%) patients, including 7 of 8 with diabetes, end-stage renal disease, and heel ulcers. Conclusion In select ambulatory patients with large soft-tissue defects and exposed deep structures, functional limb salvage is obtainable in more than 80% of patients. For lesions not amenable to vascular reconstruction with conventional methods of wound coverage, free tissue transfer extends the limits of limb salvage and is a viable alternative to amputation.

BACKGROUND: Short vein grafts originating from sites distal to the common femoral artery have been reported to be useful in selected patients with tibial artery disease. From 1987 to 1993, we performed 504 consecutive infrainguinal vein bypass grafts, of witch 56 (11%) originated from the popliteal artery, 25 above and 31 below the knee. PATiENTS AND METHODS: The patients were 16 women and 37 men, with a mean age of 62.4 years. Eighty-sseven percent were diabetic, 57% had clinically obvious coronary artery disease, and 28% had end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The indication for surgery was ulceration or gangrene in 93% of cases. The preferentially used reversed greater saphenous vein harvested from the thigh to optimize conduit quality and avoid lower leg wound complications. The outflow artery sites were: dorsal pedal (17), posterior tibial (14), peroneal (10), anterior tibial (8), lateral or inertal plantar (5), and sequential tibial (2). All patients were followed postoperatively with serial duplex surveillance. The mean follow-up was 12.5 months (range 1 to 66). RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 5.4%. Mortality at 24 months was 19% overall and 38% in patients with ESRD. Limb salvage was 77% at 3 years, 92% in patients with normal renal function versus 59% in those with ESRD (P

background : A 6-year experience with surgical management of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) was examined to determine the influence of infrapopliteal outflow vessel patency on the long-term success of popliteal artery aneurysmorrhaphy. methods : Arteriograms were reviewed to characterize the anatomy of the infrapopliteal arterial runoff. Regular clinical evaluation and prospective serial duplex scan surveillance assessed graft patency. results : A total of 28 patients underwent 45 popliteal aneurysmorrhaphies. Elective repair was performed in 32 limbs (71%); emergency treatment was needed for 13 limbs (29%) because of acute limb-threatening ischemia. All patients were managed with PAA exclusion and reversed saphenous vein grafting. Only 20 limbs (44%) had a patent trifurcation with three continuous vessels to the ankle, 13 (29%) had two continuous tibial vessels, 10 (22%) had one patent runoff artery, and 2 (4%) had no vessel continuous to the foot. With a mean follow-up of 19.1 months, the 5-year primary graft patency by life-table analysis was 95 ± 12.3%, with a 5-year assisted primary patency of 97 ± 10.0%. One vein graft underwent elective secondary revision. Another graft thrombosed, requiring a secondary bypass. Outcome did not correlate with the status of the runoff anatomy. Limb salvage was 100%. conclusion : The use of autologous reversed vein grafting and attention to technical details yielded normal graft hemodynamics and excellent long-term patency and limb salvage despite the suboptimal runoff anatomy associated with PAAs.

In the past 7 years, we have encountered six patients with finger ischemia as a result of digital artery occlusion associated with seven distal ulnar artery aneurysms. Our experience with the management of these patients forms the basis of this report. All patients were men, with a mean age of 29 years, and all experienced repetitive trauma to the involved upper extremity. Each patient presented with the acute onset of cool and painful digits, with no previous history of cold sensitivity or Raynaud's syndrome. None of the patients had any serologic or clinical evidence of autoimmune disease. Angiography revealed occlusion of the ulnar artery on the affected side in two patients and patent ulnar artery aneurysms in the remaining five patients. There was occlusion of multiple common and proper digital arteries in all patients. One patient with bilateral ulnar artery aneurysms underwent operative repair consisting of aneurysm excision and replacement with autogenous vein grafts from the lower extremity. All patients have improved symptoms, and the grafts remained patent over a mean follow-up of 24 months (range: 13 to 57 months). Based on these results, we recommend that excision and grafting be considered for patients with symptomatic patent ulnar artery aneurysms. Selected patients with thrombosed aneurysms with ongoing digital ischemia may also benefit from surgical intervention.

In an effort to determine the current incidence and clinical course of Buerger's disease, we reviewed the records of over 700 patients with small artery disease who were evaluated at Oregon Health Sciences University during a 15 year period. We identified 26 patients who met rigid criteria for the diagnosis of Buerger's disease. An analysis of the management and extended follow-up of these patients has indicated that Buerger's disease, although rare, is a real clinical entity which can be diagnosed objectively. The relatively high rate of limb loss (31 percent of patients) documents the virulence of Buerger's disease involving the lower extremities. No major upper extremity amputations were required, and no patient lost further tissue after cessation of smoking. These findings and the low mortality rate in this study stand in contrast to many previous reports and may aid in establishing the current natural history of Buerger's disease in North America.