ObjectiveTo explore the vascular conditions and the necessity of vascular reconstruction in the treatment of chronic ischemic diseases of lower extremities with tibial transverse transport (TTT) from the perspective of vascular surgery.MethodsA clinical data of 59 patients with chronic ischemic disease of lower extremities treated by TTT between February 2014 and July 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, there were 41 patients with diabetic foot (DF), including Wagner grade 3-4, Texas grade 2-3, and stage B-D lesions; the disease duration ranged from 0.7 to 2.4 years, with an average of 1.5 years, and 5 cases complicated with arteriosclerosis obliteran (ASO). There were 14 patients with ASO (Fontaine stage Ⅳ and Rutherford stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ) with an average disease duration of 10.8 months (range, 1.5-23.4 months). There were 4 patients with thromboangiitis obliteran (TAO) with an average disease duration of 12.3 months (range, 2.1-18.2 months), and the clinical stages were all in the third stage. In 18 patients that ankle brachial index (ABI) of anterior or posterior tibial artery was less than 0.6 before operation, or the blood flow of the three branches of inferior anterior tibial artery did not reach the ankle by imaging examination, vascular reconstruction was performed before TTT (5 cases of DF combined with ASO, 12 of ASO, 1 of TAO). After operation, the effectiveness was evaluated by ulcer wound healing, skin temperature, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, ABI, and CT angiography (CTA) examination.ResultsThe patients with DF were followed up 8-16 months (mean, 12.2 months); the ulcer wounds healed with a healing time of 5.1-9.2 weeks (mean, 6.8 weeks); CTA examination showed that the branches of inferior anterior tibial artery were opened in 5 patients after revascularization; and the tibial osteotomy healed for 5-14 weeks (mean, 8.3 weeks). The patients with ASO were followed up 13-25 months (mean, 16.8 months); the ulcer wounds healed with a healing time of 6.2-9.7 weeks (mean, 7.4 weeks). CTA examination showed that the branches of inferior anterior tibial artery were opened in 12 patients after revascularization; all tibial osteotomy healed, and the healing time was 4.5-14.4 weeks (mean, 10.2 weeks). The patients with TAO were followed up 12-23 months with an average of 12.3 months, and toe/limb amputation was performed after ineffective treatment. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they were combined with revascularization or not. The ABI, VAS score, and skin temperature in the combined revascularization group significantly improved at 6 months after operation (P<0.05); while there was no significant difference in ABI at 6 months after operation in the TTT group (P>0.05), but the skin temperature and VAS scores significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05).ConclusionThe ABI of anterior or posterior tibial artery is more than 0.6, radiological examination shows that at least one of the three branches of inferior anterior tibial artery leads to ankle artery, which is a prerequisite for successful TTT in the treatment of chronic ischemic disease of lower extremities. DF is the indication of TTT. ASO can choose TTT, and TAO should use this technique cautiously.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) of the lower extremities, which poses a major challenge in the field of global public health, has seen a rising trend in its incidence and disability rate year by year. With the continuous innovation of new diagnostic techniques, imaging evaluation methods, and treatment strategies, profound changes have taken place in the diagnosis and treatment paradigm in this field. Based on the “European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2024 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Asymptomatic Lower Limb Peripheral Arterial Disease and Intermittent Claudication” issued by the European Society for Vascular Surgery in 2024, we systematically reviewed the relevant international guidelines in recent years and conducted horizontal comparisons. Combining with the latest clinical research evidence, we conducted an in-depth analysis from the perspective of evidence-based medicine on the strategic evolution, technical key point updates, and clinical evidence levels of endovascular treatment for lower extremity PAD. The aim is to provide an evidence-based medical basis for clinical decision-making.
Objective To explore the methods of early diagnosis of arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremity (ASOLE). Methods The related literatures on ASOLE detection means adopted clinically were reviewed, and their advantages and disadvantages were compared.Results Asymptomatic ASOLE could be discovered by determination of ankle brachial index (ABI) and toe brachial index (TBI), which was a good index for arterial function assessment of lower extremity. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was more vulnerable and less sensitive than ABI, and therefore more suitable for screening of a large sample. ASI was an index to assess arterial structure and function, and it had a good correlation with PWV. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was a measurement evaluating the function of endothelial cell; Pulse wave measurement was simple, sensitive, and its result was reliable. Color Doppler ultrasonography could localizate the lesion and determine the degree of stenosis at the same time. Multiple-slice CT angiography (MSCTA) was more accurate than color Doppler ultrasonography, but its inherent shortcomings, such as nephrotoxicity of contrast agent, was still need to be resolved. 3D-contrast enhancement magnetic resonance angiography (CEMRA) had little nephrotoxicity, but a combination of other imaging methods was necessary. Microcirculation detections required high consistency of the measurement environment, but they were simple, sensitive and noninvasive, and therefore could be used for screening of ASO. Conclusion Publicity and education of highrisk groups, and reasonable selection of all kinds of detection means, are helpful to improve the early diagnosis of ASOLE.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the nucleotide binding oligomerization domain like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and inflammatory reaction of venous ulcer of lower extremity.MethodsTwenty-four patients with active venous ulcer of lower extremity (active ulcer group), 24 patients with non exudative venous ulcer of lower extremity as positive control (non-active ulcer group), and 24 patients with traumatic wound as negative control (traumatic-wound group) were enrolled. The clinical data of the three groups were compared, the tissue samples around the wound were harvested, and the expressions of NLRP3 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry among the three groups. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the IL-1β and IL-18 protein levels, RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of apoptosis associated speck like protein containing CARD (ASC), caspase-1, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 and NF-κB inhibitor alpha (NF-κB IkBα), and Western blotting was performed to evaluate the level of NLRP3 inflammasome in wound tissues.ResultsThe inflammatory response in the non-active ulcer group and trauma-wound group were milder than that in the active ulcer group. The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 proteins in the active ulcer group were higher than those in the non-active ulcer group and the traumatic-wound group [IL-1β: (146.621±11.597) ng/L vs. (80.967±14.213) ng/L vs. (84.962±19.484) ng/L, F=136.200, P<0.001; IL-18: (119.814±12.788) ng/L vs. (72.899±17.220) ng/L vs. (48.131±10.407) ng/L, F=167.910, P<0.001]. The results of RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of ASC [(0.030±0.012) ng/L vs. (0.021±0.005) ng/L vs. (0.016±0.004) ng/L, F=18.106, P<0.001], caspase-1 [(0.054±0.012) ng/L vs. (0.013±0.009) ng/L vs. (0.018±0.006) ng/L, F=130.372, P<0.001], NF-κB p65 [(0.093±0.015) ng/L vs. (0.038±0.013) ng/L vs. (0.043±0.014) ng/L, F=110.950, P<0.001], NF-κB IkB-α [(0.085±0.015) ng/L vs. (0.078±0.015) ng/L vs. (0.041±0.016) ng/L, F=53.070, P<0.001], and JNK [(0.075±0.018) ng/L vs. (0.042±0.013) ng/L vs. (0.039±0.014) ng/L, F=41.271, P<0.001] in the wound tissues of the active ulcer group were higher than those in the non-active ulcer group and the traumatic-wound group. And the mRNA expression of p38 in the wound tissues of the active ulcer group was lower than that in the non-active ulcer group [(0.050±0.008) ng/L vs. (0.064±0.014) ng/L, P<0.05]. The result of Western blotting showed that the relative expression level of NLRP3 protein in the wound tissues of the active ulcer group was higher than that in the trauma-wound group and non-active ulcer group (0.767±0.272 vs. 0.605±0.212 vs. 0.556±0.183, F=4.804, P=0.012).ConclusionNLRP3 inflammasome is closely related to the wound in venous ulcer of lower extremity and provides a new target to the therapy of venous ulcer of lower extremity.
Objective To evaluate improved effect for deep venous valve function after superficial vein surgery of lower extremity in the intermediate stage. Methods Totally 43 patients (55 limbs) with varicose veins of lower extremity were enrolled to accept surgical management of vein systems in our department from March 2006 to October 2006. All patients were respectively followed up after 6 months and 4 years about the changes of deep venous valve function with color Doppler ultrasonography. Results Thirty-nine patients’ deep venous valve function kept well up to now, and there was no significant difference between the two results. Four patients without proximal saphenous vein ligation recurred, and there was reflux in deep venous. Conclusion Endovenous laser treatment and ablation of varicose veins of lower extremity with deep venous insufficiency could improve deep venous valve function effectively. Proximal great saphenous vein ligation is important for successful operation.
Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of perforator propeller flap sequential transfer technique in repair of soft tissue defect of distal lower extremity. Methods Between July 2015 and July 2021, 10 patients with soft tissue defect of distal lower extremity were treated with perforator propeller flap sequential transfer technique. There were 8 males and 2 females, with a median age of 47 years (range, 6-71 years). The etiologies included malignant tumor in 5 cases, trauma in 3 cases, postburn scar contracture in 1 case, and diabetic foot ulcer in 1 case. The defects were located at the pretibial area in 1 case, the distal lower extremity and Achilles tendon in 3 cases, the dorsum of foot and lateral malleolar area in 4 cases, the heel in 1 case, and the plantar foot in 1 case. The size of the defect ranged from 5 cm×3 cm to 8 cm×8 cm. Peroneal artery perforator propellor flaps (the 1st flap) in size of 14 cm×4 cm to 29 cm×8 cm were used to repair the defects of distal lower extremity. The donor site defects were repaired with the other perforator propeller flaps (the 2nd flap) in size of 7 cm×3 cm to 19 cm×7 cm. The donor site of the 2nd flap was directly closed. ResultsAll the operations were successfully completed and all of the 2nd flaps were elevated within 1 hour. Eight the 1st flaps survived completely; 2 had venous congestion. Among the 2 patients with venous congestion, 1 had necrosis of the distal end of the flap, and the secondary wound was repaired by skin grafting; 1 recovered spontaneously after 7 days. The 2nd flaps totally survived. No complication such as hematoma or infection occurred. Primary closure was achieved in all the recipient and donor sites. All patients were followed up 2-39 months, with a median of 15.5 months. The color, texture, and thickness of the flaps matched well with those of recipient sites. The normal contour of the leg was preserved. During follow-up, no recurrence of malignance or ulcer was observed. The scar contracture was completely released. All patients were satisfied with the reconstructive outcomes. Conclusion The application of the perforator propeller flap sequential transfer technique can improve the repair ability of the lower extremity perforator propeller flap while ensuring the first-stage closure of the donor site, thereby improving the effectiveness.
Objective A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to study the effectiveness and safety of intravenous different doses tranexamic acid (TXA) in single-level unilateral minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). Methods The patients treated with single-level unilateral MIS-TLIF between September 2019 and October 2020 were enrolled and randomly classified into low-dose TXA (LD) group (n=39), high-dose TXA (HD) group (n=39), and placebo-controlled (PC) group (n=38). The LD, HD, and PC groups received intravenous TXA 20 mg/kg, TXA 50 mg/kg, the same volume of normal saline at 30 minute before skin incision after general anesthesia, respectively. There was no significant difference on baseline characteristics and preoperative laboratory results among 3 groups (P>0.05), including age, gender, body mass index, surgical segments, hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), D-dimer, fibrin degradation products (FDP), activated partial prothromboplastin time (APTT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (Cr), urea. The intraoperative blood loss (IBL), postoperative drainage volume, operation time, total blood loss (TBL), hidden blood loss (HBL), blood transfusion, hematological examination indexes on the first day after operation, and the incidence of complications within 1 month were compared among the 3 groups. Results There were 3, 2, and 4 patients in the LD, HD, and PC groups who underwent autologous blood transfusion, respectively, and there was no allogeneic blood transfusion patients in the 3 groups. There was no significant difference in IBL, postoperative drainage volume, and operation time between groups (P>0.05). The TBL, HBL, and the decreased value of HGB in LD and HD groups were significantly lower than those in PC group (P<0.05), and TBL and HBL in HD group were significantly lower than those in LD group (P<0.05); the decreased value of HGB between LD group and HD group showed no significant difference (P>0.05). On the first day after operation, D-dimer in LD and HD groups were significantly lower than that in PC group (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between LD and HD groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in other hematological indexes between groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 1 month, and there was no TXA-related complication such as deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity, pulmonary embolism, and epilepsy in the 3 groups. ConclusionIntravenous administration of TXA in single-level unilateral MIS-TLIF is effective and safe in reducing postoperative TBL and HBL within 1 day in a dose-dependent manner. Also, TXA can reduce postoperative fibrinolysis markers and do not increase the risk of thrombotic events, including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracavitary treatment for iliac vein compression syndrome（IVCS）with acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT).MethodsThe clinical data of 57 patients with IVCS and lower extremity DVT, who undergoing with stent implantation, balloon expansion and Angiojet rheolytic thrombectomy from June 2015 to June 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. The effect of treatment was evaluated by the changes of thigh circumference difference between the affected side and the healthy side, and the thrombosis clearance rate in the operating. In addition, the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) and stent patency rate were analyzed after long-term follow-up based on the change of Villaita scale score and ultrasound examination of lower extremity veins.ResultsThe success rate of surgical technique was 100%, and there was no pulmonary embolism during operating and postoperative. Lower extremity deep vein thrombosis clearance levels Ⅲ 48 cases (84.2%), Ⅱ 9 cases (15.8%), the changes of thigh circumference difference between the affected side and the healthy side from preoperative (5.8±1.7) cm to (3.7±1.0) cm. One year follow-up after operation, the primary patency rate of stent was 86.0% and PTS occurred in 8 patients (14.0%).ConclusionStent implantation, balloon expansion and Angiojet rheolytic thrombectomy for IVCS with acute lower extremity DVT is a safe, effective with low incidence of complications and efficient thrombus clearance.
Objective To discuss the feasibil ity of repairing soft tissue defects of lower extremity with a distally based posterior tibial artery perforator cross-bridge flap or a distally based peroneal artery perforator cross-bridge flap. Methods Between August 2007 and February 2010, 15 patients with soft tissue defect of the legs or feet were treated. There were 14 males and 1 female with a mean age of 33.9 years (range, 25-48 years). The injury causes included traffic accident in 8 cases, crush injury by machine in 4 cases, and crush injury by heavy weights in 3 cases. There was a scar (22 cm × 8 cm atsize) left on the ankle after the skin graft in 1 patient (after 35 months of traffic accident). And in the other 14 patients, the defect locations were the ankle in 1 case, the upper part of the lower leg in 1 case, and the lower part of the lower leg in 12 cases; the defect sizes ranged from 8 cm × 6 cm to 26 cm × 15 cm; the mean interval from injury to admission was 14.8 days (range, 4-28 days). Defects were repaired with distally based posterior tibial artery perforator cross-bridge flaps in 9 cases and distally based peroneal artery perforator cross-bridge flaps in 6 cases, and the flap sizes ranged from 10 cm × 8 cm to 28 cm × 17 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly, but a spl it-thickness skin graft was used in the middle part. The pedicles of all flaps were cut at 5-6 weeks postoperatively. Results Distal mild congestion and partial necrosis at the edge of the skin flap occurred in 2 cases and were cured after dressing change, and the other flaps survived. After cutting the pedicles, all flaps survived, and wounds of recipient sites healed by first intention. Incisions of the donor sites healed by first intention, and skin graft survived. Fifteen patients were followed up 7-35 months with an average of 19.5 months. The color and texture of the flaps were similar to these of the reci pient site. According to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score system, the mean score was 87.3 (range, 81-92). Conclusion A distally based posterior tibial artery perforator cross-bridge flap or a distally based peronealartery perforator cross-bridge flap is an optimal alternative for the reconstruction of the serious tissue defect of ontralateral leg or foot because of no microvascular anastomosis necessary, low vascular crisis risk, and high survival rate.
Objective To explore the results of thrombolytic therapy of acute deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity. Methods The clinical data of 126 patients with acute deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity treated conservatively from Dec.1999 to Feb.2004 were analyzed retrospectively. Results All patients were divided into three groups: 26 of central, 33 of surrounding and 67 of combined by Doppler sonography. Combined medication was adopted in all cases, in which 85 cases (67.5%) were clinically cured, 34 cases (27.0%) had good results, and 5 cases (4.0%) recovered partially. Two cases (1.6%) didn’t get better. The total effective rate was 98.4% (124/126). Conclusion Most patients with acute deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity can get satisfied results with conservative treatment including thrombolysis and anticoagulation. Early diagnosis and appropriate medication are crucial.