Objective To present and summarize the data concerning the treatment and prognosis of acute limb arterial embolism in West China Hospital. Methods Forty three patients with 52 limbs of acute arterial embolism were treated in West China Hospital from January 2003 to March 2006. There were 15 males and 28 females, aging from 26 years to 77 years 〔(58.88±13.90) years〕. The diagnosis was based on clinical manifestations and results of color Doppler sonography or DSA. The follow-up ranged from 1 month to 39 months. The following factors, which might influence the prognosis, were analysed through multiple linear regression of SPSS 10.0: age, sex, uper limb or lower limb, location of embolus, ischemic time, clinical categories of acute limb ischemia, history of smoking, atherosclerosis and other combined diseases, pervious history of acute limb arterial embolism, operative or nonoperative treatment, and postoperative complications. Results Clinical categories of acute limb ischemia include: Ⅰ (n=0),Ⅱa (n=16), Ⅱb (n=29), Ⅲ (n=7). The ischemic time varied from 3 h to 2 weeks. The sources of embolus: heart (n=39), vessle (n=7), iatrogenic origin (n=1), unidentidied origin (n=5). The therapies included embolectomy (n=38), catheter-directed thrombolysis (n=2) and medical treatment (n=12). The following postoperative complications occured: compartment syndrome (n=12), respiratory failure (n=3), alkalolsis (n=3), acute renal failure (n=2), wound infection (n=2) and pulmonary infection (n=1). Two patients died of cerebral infarction in hospital and one patient died of heart failure 3 months after discharge. Thirty-eight patients with 45 diseased limbs were followed up. The results were excellent in 13 limbs, good in 15 ones, fair in 8 ones and poor in 9 ones. The statistically significant influencing factors of prognosis include ischemic time, clinical categories of acute limb ischemia and history of smoking (P＜0.05). Conclusion The operation of embolectomy is the main treatment of acute limb arterial embolism. In selected patients, catheter-directed thrombolysis and medical treatment could be used to alleviate the limb ischemia. The treatment against the etiological factors should not be ignored. The prognosis of this disease could be influenced by ischemic time, clinical categories of acute limb ischemia and history of smoking.
Objective To investigate the effects of different temperatures on the system of in vitro physiological environment fostering limbs. Methods Twenty-four limbs were harvested from 6 adult Bama mini pigs and were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6) according to different temperatures: limbs were placed in in vitro physiological environment foster-ing limbs at 26℃ (group A), 4℃ (group B), 10℃ (group C), and 18℃(group D). After 12 hours of perfusion, the morphology observation was done for the structure and ultrastructure changes of the skeletal muscle by light microscope and transmission electron microscope. The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results Histological results showed that the skeletal muscle exhibited mild edema, integrity of the sarcolemma, and occasional perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration in groups B, C, and D, meanwhile, the cells of group C had normal morphology; however, muscle fibers degenerated, muscle cells were seriously damaged, a great number of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the fractured muscle fibers in group A. Transmission electron microscope results showed as follows: the muscle fibers arranged in disorder, and many focal solubility necrosis occurred in group A; the muscle fibers arranged in order relatively and sarcolemma was still intact, with mild swelling and flocculent degenerative mitochondria in group B; a large number of muscle fibers arranged in order and regularity with clear sarcomere in group C; and the muscle fibers arranged in disorder and irregularity and partly dissolved in group D. RT-qPCR results showed that the expressions of inflammatory factor TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA in group A were significantly higher than those in groups B, C, and D (P lt; 0.05); the expressions were significantly lower in groups B and C than in group D, and in group C than in group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion In the system of in vitro physiological environment fostering limbs, temperature plays an important role in the preservation of amputated limbs. It is suggested that 10℃ can significantly attenuate the reperfusion-induced skeletal muscle cell injuries in this system.
Objective To explore an improved method of surgical operation for redintegration of the articular surface and alignment with type III Pilon fractures. Methods Between August 2005 and August 2010, 31 patiens with closed type III Pilon fracture (Rüedi-Allgouml;wer type III) were treated. There were 25 males and 6 females, aged 36.8 years on average (range, 16-60 years). The injury was caused by falling from height in 18 patients, by traffic accident in 10 patients, and by other reasons in 3 patients. The average time between injury and operation was 10 days (range, 6-14 days). Temporary external fixation was used for adjustment and maintenance of limb length and power lines; application of fibular flip combined with anteromedial approach was used for the repair of articular surface; and bone grafting and fixation were performed. Results No extensive necrosis or deep infection were observed. Superficial skin infection of incision and wound edge necrosis occurred in 2 cases respectively, and were cured after dressing change. All patients were followed up 26 months on average (range, 9-79 months). According to the Burwell et al. judging standards of radiology evaluating, the anatomical reduction was found in 25 cases (80.6%), satisfactory reduction in 4 cases (12.9%), and unsatisfactory reduction in 2 cases (6.5%). The X-ray films showed bony healing was achieved in all cases with an average fracture healing time of 16 weeks (range, 12-25 weeks). According to the Mazur et al. criterion for ankle joint function, excellent result was obtained in 11 cases, good in 13, fair in 5, and poor in 2; the excellent and good rate was 77.4%. Conclusion Good exposure and fixation of articular surface or accurate adjustments and maintenance of the limb alignment are key factors of successful operation to treat type III Pilon fractures.
Objective To review the methods of metacarpal and phalange lengthening and to point out the problems at present as well as to predict the trend of development in the field. Methods Domestic and abroad l iterature concerning the methods of metacarpal and phalange lengthening in recent years was reviewed extensively and thoroughly analyzed. Results At present, there are many methods to treat the short finger disabil ity, but the methods of metacarpal and phalange lengthening have an advantage, which include closed osteotomy lengthening, callus-lengthening, and modified Il izarovmethod. Each surgical method has its advantages and l imitations. However, the part of osteotomy, the length and speed, and the postoperative compl ications etc. have been disputed. Conclusion The modified Il izarov method has the advantages of simple operation, minimal invasion, and less compl ications, but the long-term results of each treatment method are unknown and need more further studies.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of autologous hemopoietic stem cell implantation for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from CBM (1978 to September 2010), CNKI (1979 to September 2010), MEDLINE (1950 to September 2010), Pubmed (1950 to September 2010), Embase (1970 to September 2010), and Cochrane l ibrary (issue 4, 2010). The papers of the RCTs of cl inical therapeutic studieson PAD treated by autologous hemopoietic stem cell implantation were included and analyzed according to the criteria of the Cochrane handbook. Results Eight RCTs involving 280 patients and 322 extremities were included, with majority of trials of low methodological qual ity. Meta-analysis indicated that autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation had an increased ulcer cure rate [RD=0.38, 95% CI= (0.25, 0.50)], a significant improvement in the ankle brachial index [MD=0.11, 95%CI= (0.04, 0.18)], transcutaneous oxygen tension [MD=7.33, 95%CI= (3.14, 11.51)], and pain-free walking distance [SMD=1.35, 95%CI= (0.90, 1.79)], a significant reduction in rest pain scores [MD= —1.70, 95%CI= (—2.15, —1.25)], and a significant benefit in terms of l imb salvage [RD= —0.19, 95%CI= (—0.31, —0.07)]. Only 2 trials reported the side effects of autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation, such as l imbs swell ing and concentrations of serum creatine phosphokinase increasing, and the long-term safety was not reported. Conclusion Based on the review, autologous hemopoietic stem cell transplantation may have positive effect on “no-option” patients with PAD. However, the evidence is not b enough due to the general low methodological qual ity, so we can not draw a rel iable conclusion about the effects of autologous stem cell transplantation for PAD at the moment. Further larger, randomized, double bl ind, placebo-controlled, and multicenter trials are needed.
Objective To investigate the method and effectiveness of perforator flaps in repairing soft tissue defects of extremities. Methods Between June 2002 and December 2009, 81 patients with soft tissue defect of extremities were treated. There were 69 males and 12 females with an average age of 54 years (range, 13-75 years). Defect causes were injury in 35 cases (the disease duration ranged from 1 hour to 45 days), tumor resection in 19 cases, and scar resection in 27 cases. The defect located at limb and foot in 56 cases, forearm and hand in 25 cases. The defect size ranged from 3 cm × 3 cm to 23 cm × 18 cm. The perforator flaps included the peroneal artery perforator flap in 26 cases, the radial artery perforator flap in 18 cases, the medial plantar artery perforator flap in 18 cases, and the lateral circumflex femoral artery perforator flap in 19 cases. The flap size ranged from 4 cm × 3 cm to 25 cm × 18 cm. The donor site was sutured directly or repaired by free skin graft. Results Partial necrosis of the flaps occurred in 4 cases at 3-7 days after operation, then the flap survived after expectant treatment. The other flaps and free skin grafts survived successfully, and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 1 to 16 months with an average of 9 months. The appearance, texture, and colour of the flaps were similar to those of the donor site. Conclusion It is an effective method to use the perforator flap for repairing soft tissue defect of the extremities.
Objective To review the treatment methods of the extremity skin avulsion, and to point out the problems at present as well as to predict the trend of development in this field. Methods Domestic and abroad l iterature concerning the treatment methods of the extremity skin avulsion in recent years was extensively and thoroughly analyzed. Results The timely and accurate evaluation of viabil ity and blood circulation of avulsed skin was the key to treat extremity skin avulsion. At present, there were many methods to treat extremity skin avulsion and the vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) technology played an important role in the treatment of skin avulsion. Artificial skin had been used to treat skin avulsion. Conclusion The conventional method to treat skin avulsion is rigorous debridement, defatting of the avulsed flap, planting back avulsed skin flap. The combined use of the VSD technology helps skin avulsion treatment. It may be a trend that artificial skin will be used in treating extremity avulsion.
Objectives To investigate the curative effect of skin flap and allogenic tendon in reconstructing l imbs function of complex soft-tissue defect. Methods From May 2001 to December 2007, 43 cases of complex soft-tissue defect of l imbs were repaired by pedicled skin flaps, free skin flaps, cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel skin flaps and arterial island skin flaps for primary stage, then the function of the l imbs were reconstructed with allogeneic tendon after 2-3 months of skin flapoperation. There were 31 males and 12 females, aged 5-53 years(mean 25 years). Injury was caused by machine in 28 cases, by traffic accident in 14 cases and others in 1 case. There were 27 cases in upper l imb, 16 cases in lower l imb. Twenty-six cases compl icated by bone fracture, dislocation and bone defect, the most of bone defect were cortical bone defect. The sizes of skin and parenchyma defect were 9 cm × 4 cm to 37 cm × 11 cm, the length of tendon defect was 6 to 26 cm. The sizes of skin flaps were 10 cm × 5 cm to 39 cm × 12 cm. Allogeneic tendons were used 2-6 strips(mean 4 strips). Results Forty-three cases were followed up for 5-56 months (16 months on average), all flaps survived. The donor area healed by first intention, the incision healed by first intention in second operation, and no tendon rejection occurred. The cl inical heal ing time of fracture was 3-8 months, and the cl inical heal ing time of allograft was 6-8 months. Six cases were given tenolysis for adhesion of tendon after 3-5 months of tendon transplantation. The postoperative flexion of wrist joint was 20-50°, the extension was 20-45°. Articulatio metacarpophalangea and articulatio interphalangeae could extend completely. The flexion of articulatio metacarpophalangea of thumb was 20-45°, the flexion of articulatio interphalangeae was 30-70°. The flexion of articulatio metacarpophalangea and articulatio interphalangeae of the other fingers was 60-90°. The postoperative ankle can extend to neutral position, the neutral position of ankle was 30-50°. The flexion of articulatio metatarsophalangeae and articulatio interdigital was 20-40°. Theextension of articulatio metatarsophalangeae was 30-60°. Conclusion Through designing systematically treatment plan,practicing operation by stages, preventing adhesion of tendon actively and exercising function reasonably, the functions of l imbs reconstructed by allogenic tendon and skin flap can leads to satisfactory effect.