59 - Lower Extremity Amputation Flashcards
Indications for lower extremity amputation
- Acute infection
- Chronic infection
- Ischemic limb
- Gangrene
- Charcot deformity
- Trauma
- Tumors
- Congenital Abnormalities
Reasons for distal limb salvage
- Superior Function (transmet amputation is much more functional than BKA)
- Better Cosmesis
- Enhance Lifestyle
- Lower Energy Consumption
- Increased Sensory Input
- Better Weight-bearing Surface
- Less Distortion of Body Image
Considerations for successful limb salvage
- 1 = Ensure good blood flow
- 2 = Control infection
- 3 = Aim for good biomechanical result
- 4 = Create a stable soft tissue envelope***
o We typically use some of the plantar soft tissue structures – very protective
o Not only so the patient can heal, but also so they can protect it
Successful amputations
- “Remove all necrotic, painful, or infected tissue.”
- “Must be able to fit amputation stump with a functional and easily applied prosthesis.”
- “Blood supply at the level of the proposed amputation must be sufficient to allow primary skin healing.”
Major factors to consider for amputation level - VASCULAR status
o Determining the level of adequate blood flow can help predict success of healing
o Not meeting criteria is not always considered a contraindication to performing amputation at a certain level
Prediction of healing based on vascular status
- Still speculative and work continues (“I have cut many things that have bled poorly and healed well, and I have cut many thing that have bled well and healed poorly”)
- Doppler Ultrasound
- Segmental Blood Pressure
- Ankle Brachial Index
- Toe Blood Pressure
- Plethysmography
- Transcutaneous Oxygen Pressure
- Spy technology – intra operative evaluation with dye and imaging (Emerging technology)
Timing of surgery after vascular intervention
STUDY – Attinger et al recommended that you do surgery…
o 4 to 10 days after a bypass vascular procedure
o 10 to 30 days after an angioplasty vascular rocedure
Personal experience
o My experience with local vascular surgeons and interventionalists
o Definitive procedure as quickly as possible
o Typically can keep patients vascular medications: Plavix, etc.
o If the patient has an INR of 3 or above, they are not a candidate for surgery due to too much bleeding, but if it is a minor procedure, you will likely be able to control the bleeding with an INR of 2 – It doesn’t always need to be under 1/5 in order to operate
Angiosomes and healing potential
- Angiosomes: composite vascular territories providing
blood supply to skin, nerves, muscle, tendon, and bone - The angiosome concept was derived from plastic
surgery to evaluate healing potential of flaps. - Entire body is divided into 40 angiosomes.
Angiosomes in the foot
The foot is divided into 6 angiosomes total
o The posterior tibial artery feeds 3 angiosomes
o The anterior tibial artery feeds 1 angiosome
o The peroneal artery feeds 2 angiosomes
Posterior tibial artery
- The posterior tibial artery gives rise to a calcaneal branch, which supplies the medial ankle and lateral plantar heel, a medial branch that feeds the medial plantar instep, and a lateral branch that supplies the lateral forefoot, plantar midfoot, and entire plantar forefoot
Anterior tibial artery
- The anterior tibial artery continues on to the dorsum of the foot, as the dorsalis pedis
Peroneal artery
- The peroneal artery supplies the lateral ankle and plantar heel via the calcaneal branch and the anterior upper ankle via an anterior branch
Major factors to consider for amputation level
- Rehabilitation Potential
- Ambulatory Status
- Medical considerations
Rehabilitation Potential
o Ambulatory Status at time of presentation
o Motivation
o Family /Social Support
o Other comorbidities – cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, musculoskeletal
Ambulatory Status
o If not ambulatory, BKA or AKA may be better level
o Even if patient is not ambulatory, maintaining limb can be advantageous for transfers
Medical considerations
o NOTE: In planning appropriate consultation for perioperative medical care, the podiatric surgeon should be aware of the evaluation of physical status completed by the anesthesiologist before surgery – Consider ability to undergo ANESTHESIA***
o The surgeon should ensure that appropriate medical consultation, clearance, and follow-up have been obtained to provide for the perioperative medical care of a diabetic patient who will undergo surgery for an infected foot