Surgical Techniques And Outcomes; Psychosocial Issues Flashcards
What are the 3 most common levels of lower extremity amputation called?
- Transmetatarsal (midfoot)
- Transtibial (below knee)
- Transfemoral (above knee)
Disarticulation amputations occur at what level?
Level of the joint (hip, knee, and ankle disarticulations
4 Factors affecting level of amputation:
Vascular disease
-Level selected based on anticipated viability for ________ healing.
Postoperative function is considered
-Most _______ level possible.
Disarticulations
-Most surgeons won’t perform disarticulation at knee or ankle due to concern that poor __________ may interfere with healing.
Traumatic amputation
-Level determined based on _______ of injury and _______ of tissue.
- tissue
- distal
- circulation
- nature, viability
What is the goal of amputation?
Save as much limb length as possible.
What are the 2 main general surgical principles of amputation?
- Myoplasty
- Myodesis
What is myoplasty?
Attachment of anterior and posterior compartment muscle to each other over the end of the bone.
What is myodesis?
Anchoring of muscles to bone.
Myoplasty vs. Myodesis:
- Which increases stability and muscular control?
- Which is better in the presence of ischemia?
- Myodesis
- Myoplasty
In amputations, large nerves are pulled down and resected sharply so they retract into the sharp tissue, what does this prevent?
Neuromas - Thickened area of nerve tissue that are sensitive to pressure (interpreted as pain).
Skin flaps are as broad as the distal end of the limb and are shaped to allow corners to retract smoothly. Drains are utilized just under incision for removal of excess fluid and are removed after __-__ days.
1 to 2
In regards to skin flaps, when are amputations kept open?
If infection is present or not enough tissue to provide good closure.
What are the 2 main ways skin flaps are used for closed amputations?
- ) Equal length anterior/posterior flap
2. ) Long posterior flap
Equal length anterior/posterior flap is used when conserving _________ or when primary healing is not a concern. Flaps are shaped to reduce “________” at corners.
- bone length
- “dog ears”
Long posterior flap is used when _________ is of concern or when more padding is needed.
vascularity
What is a 3rd less common way skin flaps are used for closed amputations?
Skew sagittal flaps
Skew sagittal flaps are used in severe _________ cases and takes advantage of ________ nerve/artery, and ______ nerve. This helps with blood flow ________.
- dysvascular
- saphenous
- sural
- laterally
Transtibial (below knee) desireable length is controversial:
- Some advocate for bone length to help with _____.
- Others argue that long bone length increases chance for development of distal _____ problems as well as __________ tissue.
- gait
- skin, nonvascular
As a transtibial amputation gets closer to the knee, the ______ develops a mechanical advantage over the quad which can result in what?
- hamstrings
- knee flexion contractures, and difficult to extend knee (esp during swing phase)
What is the shortest level of amputation that is compatible with knee function?
tibial tubercles
In general, fibula is cut _cm shorter than the tibia for limb shaping. The tibia and fibula are also beveled to prevent soft tissue ___________.
- 1cm
- impingement
Transfemoral (above knee) is historically the most common level for individuals with poor ________ or _______ of the foot/ankle.
- circulation
- gangrene
Does a transtibial or transfemoral amputation require more energy to ambulate with a prosthesis?
Transfemoral
What are 3 reasons for choosing transfemoral over transtibial amputation?
- Trauma
- Gangrene extended into knee
- Circulatory status indicating poor chance of healing at transtibial level
In transfemoral amputations, maintanence of the __________ shaft axis as close to normal as possible is critical:
- Difficult secondary to loss of __________ attachment
- Surgeons suggest __________ of adductor magnus to femur at the level of the amputation for maintaining more normal alignment.
- femoral
- adductor
- myodesis
During surgery of a transfemoral amputation, the limb is maintained in ________ and _______ to maintain proper tension and alignment.
- extension
- adduction
What are the skin flap techniques used for transfemoral amputations?
- Equal length
- Long medial flap in sagittal plane
Common Issues Post-op (All Amputations)?
- Pain
- Wound healing
- Fluid collection/edema
- Heterotrophic ossification