D. C. Wilkins

Randomized prospective study comparing preoperative epidural and intraoperative perineural analgesia for the prevention of postoperative stump and phantom limb pain following major amputation.

Background and Objectives Acute stump pain and phantom limb pain after amputation is a significant problem among amputees with a reported incidence of phantom limb pain in the first year following amputation as high as 70%. Epidural analgesia before limb amputation is commonly used to reduce postamputation acute stump pain in the immediate postoperative period and phantom pain in the first year. We investigated whether immediate postamputation stump pain and phantom pain in the first year is reduced by preoperative epidural block with bupivacaine and diamorphine compared with intraoperative placement of a perineural catheter infusing bupivacaine. Methods In a randomized prospective trial, 30 patients scheduled for lower limb amputation were randomly assigned epidural bupivacaine at the standard rate used in our hospital (0.166%, 2 to 8 mL/h) and diamorphine (0.2 to 0.8 mg/h) for 24 hours before and during operation (14 patients; epidural group) and 3 days postoperatively, or an intraoperatively placed perineural catheter (16 patients; perineural group) for intra and postoperative administration of bupivacaine (0.25%, 10 mL/h). All patients had general anesthesia for the amputation and were asked about stump and phantom pain in the first 3 days and then at 6 and 12 months by an independent examiner. Study endpoints were rate of stump and phantom pain, intensity of stump and phantom pain, and consumption of opioids. The groups were well matched in baseline characteristics. Results Stump pain scores in the first 3 days were significantly higher in the perineural group compared with the epidural group (P < .01). After 3 days, 4 (29%) patients in the epidural group and 7 (44%) in the perineural group had phantom pain (P = .32). Numbers of patients with phantom pain for epidural versus perineural group were: 5 (63%) versus 7 (88%) (P = .25) at 6 months; 3 (38%) versus 4 (50%) (P = .61) at 12 months. Stump pain and phantom sensation were similar in both groups at 6 and 12 months. Conclusions Using our regimen, perioperative epidural block started 24 hours before the amputation is not superior to infusion of local anaesthetic via a perineural catheter in preventing phantom pain, but gives better relief of stump pain in the immediate postoperative period.

Management of popliteal artery aneurysms.

Background:  Popliteal artery aneurysms (PAA) are the most common peripheral aneurysm and are recognized as ‘the silent killer of the leg circulation’. The timing and type of interventions used in their treatment is still controversial. This review examines the published data on the natural history, epidemiology, clinical presentation and management options available. The aim of this study is to try and reach a consensus with regards to the best management of PAA.

A RANDOMISED TRIAL OF DIFFERENT COMPRESSION DRESSINGS FOLLOWING VARICOSE VEIN SURGERY

Objective: TED antiembolism stockings, Panelast self-adhesive elasticated bandages and Medi Plus class II stockings are three different dressings commonly used to provide compression following surgery for varicose veins. The aim of this study was to determine which of the three dressings was most acceptable to patients. Design: Forty-two patients undergoing bilateral varicose vein surgery were randomised to receive a different dressing on each leg in order to determine if a particular type of dressing was superior in its ability to reduce postoperative pain and provide adequate comfort without reducing mobility. The dressings were worn for 1 week, during which daily pain scores were recorded for each leg followed by a simple questionnaire to determine comfort and mobility. Results: There was a significant reduction of mobility experienced by patients wearing Panelast bandages compared with the other two dressings (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the dressings with regard to the degree of postoperative pain experienced, and in all other respects the dressings were equally tolerated. Conclusion: The choice of compression dressings used for varicose vein surgery should depend primarily on the personal preference of surgeons as well as financial considerations.

Surgical experience and supervision may influence the quality of lower limb amputation.

AIM Only half of those patients undergoing major lower limb amputations for peripheral vascular disease (PVD) are likely to mobilise on a prosthesis. This study aimed to determine whether a surgeons experience influenced the quality of the residual limb and thus the likelihood of the stump being suitable for a prosthesis. METHODS All patients undergoing major lower limb amputations for PVD were recruited prospectively, between August 1992 and July 1996. Following surgery, patients were categorised, by a consultant in rehabilitation medicine, as potentially suitable (group 1) or unsuitable (group II) for rehabilitation. Patients in group I were further assessed by prosthetists for limb fitting. RESULTS A total of 217 patients underwent 260 amputations for PVD between 1992 and 1996: transfemoral (TFA) 131, trans-tibial (TTA) 127, and through-knee (TKA) in 2. The 30-day mortality was 12% (n = 27). Following surgery, 109 patients were assigned to group I (51%), and 81 patients to group II (37%). The proportion of junior surgeons performing surgery was similar for patients in both groups. Twenty-three amputation stumps (9%) required revision or conversion to a higher level within 30 days. Revisions or conversions were significantly more frequent where the original operation had been performed by an unsupervised junior surgeon rather than a senior surgeon (P = 0.009). The rate of defective amputations compromising limb fitting also reached significance when unsupervised junior and senior surgeons were compared (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Rehabilitation of the relatively few amputees who reach the stage of limb fitting is hindered by poor surgical technique in a large proportion of cases. Patients operated on by a more experienced surgeon had a better chance of mobilising without revision or conversion surgery.

Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome.

Opinion statementPopliteal artery entrapment syndrome is a condition caused by direct compression of the popliteal artery as it passes within or exits the popliteal fossa. It is surprisingly uncommon and usually affects young patients, typically men, and often presenting with symptoms of claudication, or more rarely acute limb ischemia, calf cramps, or a picture of compartment syndrome. The diagnosis should be considered early within the differential diagnosis of all patients presenting with these problems in this age group. The key to management of this condition lies in a high index of suspicion. The treatment of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is surgical. When the condition is detected at an early stage surgery may be limited to release of the artery alone. However, if the artery has been compressed for some time the resulting intimal damage necessitates bypass of the affected segment. There are numerous reports of thrombectomy with simple vein patching, but the results are inferior to interpositional vein grafting. Reports have also been published of attempts made at endovascular treatment. At present, this mode of management adds little to the definitive treatment of affected limbs and appears limited to use as a bridging procedure in cases presenting with limb ischemia. Unfortunately, an effective clinical screening test does not exist and imaging remains the mainstay in the diagnosis of symptomatic limbs and the screening of asymptomatic limbs. The exact modality of imaging remains unclear, but for the moment duplex scanning, angiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging all appear to have their place.

Details of "never" events should be generally accessible.

Where can surgeons in UK hospitals, who are leading the delivery of services, easily find and learn from “never” events like the one reported by Dyer?1 Through its own voluntary reporting and publication system (www.coress.org.uk), the …

Bring back the SAC.

Klein is vague about how professionals can speak out to protect standards in the NHS.1 Before the reforms of modernising medical careers the specialty advisory committee (SAC) system of the royal colleges and specialty associations was such a conduit. Visiting teams, comprising experienced clinicians in the specialty, carried out regular and …