Search

Objective: Surgical site infection (SSI) is an important complication of lower extremity bypass (LEB) and the rate of SSI after LEB varies widely in the existing literature, ranging from 4% to 31%. Prolonged length of stay (LOS) has been implicated in the occurrence of SSI across multiple surgical disciplines. The impact of preoperative LOS in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) undergoing LEB is unknown. We examined the association of preoperative LOS on SSI after LEB., Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative Infrainguinal Bypass Registry identified patients undergoing elective LEB for chronic limb-threatening ischemia from 2003 to 2019. Patients undergoing LEB for acute limb ischemia, urgent/emergent procedures, aneurysm, or who had concomitant suprainguinal bypass were excluded. The primary outcome measure was postoperative SSI. Multivariable forward stepwise logistic regression was then performed including all variables with a P value of less than .10 in both matched and unmatched cohorts to evaluate for demographic and perioperative predictors of SSI. Propensity score matching was used to create matched cohorts of patients for each LOS group., Results: A total of 17,883 LEB procedures were selected for inclusion: 0 days (12,362 LEB), 1 to 2 days (1737 LEB), and 3 to 14 days (3784 LEB). Patients with the greatest preoperative LOS were more likely to have vein mapping (0 days preoperative LOS, 66.3%; 1-2 days, 65.2%; 3-14 days, 73.2%; P < .01) or computed tomography angiography/magnetic resonance angiography (0 days, 32.1%; 1-2 days, 34.4%; 3-14 days, 38.4%; P < .01). Patients with 3 or more days of preoperative LOS had longer procedure lengths (0 days, 244 minutes; 1-2 days, 243 minutes; 3-14 days, 255 minutes; P < .01) and were more likely to have completion angiogram (0 days, 27.1%; 1-2 days, 29.5%; 3-14 days, 31.6%; P = .02). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that preoperative LOS of 3 to 14 days was associated with increased rate of SSI (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-3.07; P = .01). Transfusion of 3 or more units (OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.89-4.36; P < .01) and prolonged procedure length (>220 minutes; OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.26-2.73; P < .01) were also significantly associated with postoperative SSIs., Conclusions: Many factors including preoperative comorbidities and operative complexity covary with preoperative LOS as risk factors for SSI. However, when patients are matched based on comorbidities and factors that would predict overall clinical complexity, preoperative LOS remains important in predicting SSI., (Copyright © 2020 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Prior studies have evaluated the effects of statin and antiplatelet agent (APA) medications on patients with peripheral arterial disease. Although the benefits of statin and APA use are well-described, there is a paucity of research into the specific outcomes of patients who are not compliant or those who are unable to take the medication owing to intolerance. Here we examine the outcomes of patients intolerant to statin and APA and compare them with patients who are compliant or noncompliant with these therapies., Methods: Patients treated from 2005 to 2018 in the Vascular Quality Initiative registry were included. Patients with missing data or deaths within 30 days of procedure were removed. Patients were considered noncompliant if they were previously prescribed a medication at discharge but were not taking it at 1-year follow-up or if the patient was reported to be noncompliant in the registry. Medication intolerance was defined if listed as "no, for medical reasons," and mortality data were ascertained using the Social Security Death Index, which is regularly cross-referenced to the Vascular Quality Initiative registry., Results: We identified 105,628 patients who met our inclusion criteria. Statin intolerance was noted in 2.3% at discharge and 2.1% at the 1-year follow-up, with 0.7% listed as intolerant at all stages. Factors associated with increased risk of intolerance to statins included female gender (P = .001), discharge APA intolerance (P = .004), insurance status (non-U.S. insurance) (P < .001), discharge APA noncompliance (P = .019), and discharge angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor noncompliance (P = .005). Patients who were compliant with statins showed a 91% survival at 5 years vs 87% survival in noncompliant patients and 87% in intolerant patients at 5 years (P < .001). Patients with statin intolerance have a similar survival curve as noncompliant patients across all registry cohorts. Noncompliance with statins was correlated with noncompliance with APA medications (R = 0.16, P < .001). Factors associated with increased risk of statin noncompliance included preoperative ambulatory status (requiring assistance) (P = .039), female sex (P < .001), peripheral vascular intervention (P < .001) or infrainguinal open bypass procedure surgery (P = .001), discharge status (to nursing home) (P = .006) and insurance (self-pay) (P < .001)., Conclusions: Patients not taking statin and APA medications have a substantially decreased 5-year survival irrespective of the reason for not taking. Importantly, patients noted to be intolerant have a similar survival curve as noncompliant patients across all registry cohorts. Intolerant patients may benefit from attempts to alter statin dose, type (hydrophilic vs lipophilic), or from newer agents such as PCSK9 inhibitors., (Copyright © 2019 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Anterior ankle abutment can be problematic for both athletes and for persons whose occupations require repeated loading of the anterior ankle joint. Nonoperative care is often not satisfactory for the individual who demands painfree activity. Because the presence of anterior osteophytes has been shown to represent the early stages of degenerative disease of the ankle joint, operative intervention may provide the best option to decelerate the arthritic process. Open ankle débridement or arthroscopic débridement can be used to remove the osteophytes and inspect the ankle joint. Care must be taken to examine the joint adequately to ensure that the impingement is not caused by lateral ankle instability. Failure to recognize the cause of anterior ankle impingement will result in an unsatisfactory result. When the proper diagnosis is made, surgery can result in pain-free motion that allows the individual to return to painfree activity.

Stress fractures of the foot and ankle are common injuries that require a high index of suspicion to make the appropriate diagnosis. If required, advanced imaging modalities should be used to establish the diagnosis. When developing a treatment plan for the runner, the sports medicine physician must keep the athlete informed as to the nature of the injury and the necessity of the treatment. A fitness plan must be developed with the runner to ensure that strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular conditioning are maintained during this period. Ideally the physician should develop this plan with the runner and not dictate the type of activity that is used to obtain these goals.

Excessive scarring caused by pathologically overabundant collagen deposition is a problem known by all surgeons. Complications to wound healing, such as hypertrophic scars and keloids, can lead to an aesthetically unacceptable result or even lead to anatomic dysfunction. An overwhelming amount of hypotheses concerning treatment of these problems is available. There seems to be no absolutely effective treatment for hypertrophic scars and keloids and the number of treatment modalities illustrate the lack of understanding concerning this kind of pathologic scar healing. Most studies reported have not been well controlled and have produced conflicting results.

Diabetic neuroarthropathy is a frequent complication of diabetes mellitus that results in instability of the foot, structural deformity, and soft-tissue breakdown secondary to increased plantar pressure. The midfoot is commonly involved in diabetic neuroarthropathy. Collapse of the medial, lateral, or both longitudinal arches may result in increased plantar pressures and subsequent midfoot ulceration. The majority of these wounds can be managed with local wound care, off-loading, and other forms of nonoperative care. Surgical intervention becomes necessary when the wound fails to heal with conservative measures. The authors performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent ostectomy for chronic or recurrent ulceration in the midfoot secondary to diabetic neuroarthropathy. The authors reviewed 27 procedures in 20 patients. There were 18 medial ulcers and 9 lateral ulcers. Wounds had resolved in 20 of 27 cases for 74% healing rate. The majority of failed procedures involved lateral column wounds (six of seven). Revisional surgery was required in five of the nine lateral column wounds for limb salvage. There was a statistically significant difference between the rate of complications by ulcer location (p = .00174). The rate of complications was significantly higher for lateral column ulcers. These results indicate that ostectomy is a reasonable option for medial column ulcers that fail nonoperative care. However, ostectomy for ulcers involving the lateral column is less predictable and failure often requires complex reconstructive soft tissue and osseous procedures for limb salvage.

In the individual with diabetes mellitus, foot ulceration represents the single most important risk factor in lower-extremity amputation. The goal of treatment is to obtain a healed and closed wound that (1) eliminates a portal of entry for bacterial invasion and development of limb-threatening infection, and (2) allows for tissue loading. This manuscript reviews current off-loading approaches to the treatment of plantar neuropathic foot ulcers, along with advantages and disadvantages of those techniques.

Intramedullary nail fixation is an excellent option for open reduction and internal fixation of metatarsal neck and shaft fractures. In the authors' experience, the reduction of these fractures with Steinmann pin fixation provided excellent stability, required minimal soft-tissue dissection, and allowed for preservation of the periosteal tissue. Minimal disruption to the periosteum protects the osteoprogenitor cells located in the cambium layer. These cells stimulate osteoblastic activity, allowing for excellent secondary bone healing. Intramedullary nail fixation is the authors' chosen procedure for reduction of lesser metatarsal fractures.

Puncture wounds of the foot are a common injury, often occurring in the warmer months. Various objects have been described as the penetrating source in these wounds; however, nails and glass are the most common cause of pedal puncture wounds. All puncture wounds should be evaluated thoroughly and treated aggressively to reduce the risk of complications. Viewing this injury lightly may cause complications, and is often a source of litigation. A systematic approach to the evaluation and treatment of puncture wounds limits complications and results in a satisfactory outcome for the patient and physician.

RA is a common disorder that has significant destructive effects on the midfoot portion of the foot. When these degenerative joint changes occur, any motion at the involved joints causes severe pain and disability, and limits the patient in his or her attempt to perform daily activities. These changes have a significant social and economic impact, and cause unwanted lifestyle changes. Arthrodesis, when used judiciously, can offer pain relief and a restoration of normal activity for the patient with RA.

Despite the known health risks associated with cigarettes, millions of Americans continue to smoke. Much has been reported on the adverse effects of cigarette smoke on wound healing. Recent experimental work and clinical observation have demonstrated the risk of impaired bone healing associated with cigarette smoking. The authors review the biological aspects of bone healing and analyze how the chemical components of cigarette smoke affect the bone healing process. Laboratory and clinical data are also reviewed. Cessation of cigarette smoking before foot and ankle surgery is recommended by the authors.

Avascular necrosis of bone is a common manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, particularly in those patients receiving corticosteroids. The authors review the pathogenesis and diagnosis of avascular necrosis and describe an ankle arthrodesis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed avascular necrosis of the talus.

Prescription medications are thought to cause less than 1% of all congenital abnormalities. However, prescribing a medication to treat the foot disorder of a pregnant patient can be a source of anxiety for the physician. The authors review some of the medications commonly prescribed in podiatric medical practice and evaluate their use and safety during pregnancy.

The authors review the etiologies and treatments of plantar fasciitis or heel spur syndrome. They offer results of a retrospective study. Comparison of the return to work time after surgery for this condition, examinations of the effects of patient age at the time of surgery, gender, duration of pain prior to surgery, and type of surgical procedure, either endoscopic plantar fasciotomy or open plantar fasciotomy with heel spur resection, is provided.