Ivica Ducic

Revascularization of a Specific Angiosome for Limb Salvage: Does the Target Artery Matter?

Ischemic wounds of the lower extremity can fail to heal despite successful revascularization. The foot can be divided into six anatomic regions (angiosomes) fed by distinct source arteries arising from the posterior tibial (three), anterior tibial (one), and peroneal (two) arteries. This study investigated whether bypass to the artery directly feeding the ischemic angiosome had an impact on wound healing and limb salvage. Retrospective analysis was performed for 52 nonhealing lower extremity wounds (48 patients) requiring tibial bypass over a 2-year period. Preoperative arteriograms were reviewed to determine arterial anatomy relative to each wounds specific angiosome and bypass anatomy. Patients were divided into two groups; direct revascularization (DR, bypass to the artery directly feeding the ischemic angiosome) or indirect revascularization (IR, bypass unrelated to the ischemic angiosome). Wound outcome was analyzed with regard to the endpoints of complete healing, amputation, or death unrelated to the wound. Time to healing was also noted for healed wounds. Based on preoperative arteriography, 51% (n = 27) of the wounds received DR to the ischemic angiosome, while 49% (n = 25) underwent IR. There were no statistically significant differences in the comorbidities of the two groups. Revascularization was via tibial bypass using the saphenous vein (n = 34, 65%) or polytetrafluoroethylene with a distal vein patch (n = 18, 35%). Bypasses were performed to the anterior tibial (n = 22, 42%), posterior tibial (n = 17, 33%), or peroneal (n = 13, 25%) arteries based on the surgeons judgment. One bypass failed in the perioperative period and was excluded from the analysis. The remaining bypasses were patent at the time of wound analysis. Due to a 17% mortality rate during follow-up, 43 wounds were available for endpoint analysis. This analysis demonstrated that 77% of wounds (n = 33) progressed to complete healing and 23% of wounds (n = 10) failed to heal with resultant amputation. In the DR group, there was 91% healing with a 9% amputation rate. In the IR group, there was 62% healing with a 38% amputation rate (p = 0.03). In those wounds that did heal, total time to healing was not significantly different--DR 162.4 days versus IR 159.8 days (p = 0.95). Revascularization plays a crucial role in the treatment of ischemic lower extremity wounds. We believe that direct revascularization of the angiosome specific to the anatomy of the wound leads to a higher rate of healing and limb salvage. Although many factors must be considered in choosing the target artery for revascularization, consideration should be given to revascularization of the artery directly feeding the ischemic angiosome.

Effect of obesity on flap and donor-site complications in pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction.

Background: The detrimental effects of obesity on pedicled and free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstructions, including flap loss, hematoma, and donor-site hernia, are well documented. This study examined the effect of obesity on complications in patients undergoing pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective review of 224 pedicled TRAM flaps in 200 patients over a 10-year period was carried out. Patients were divided into three groups: normal weight (body mass index < 25; 47 percent of patients), overweight (body mass index 25 to 29.9; 38 percent), and obese (body mass index ≥ 30; 15 percent). There were no statistically significant differences in age, smoking history, radiation/chemotherapy history, distribution of flap pedicle types, timing of reconstruction, percentage of delay procedures performed, or expanders implanted among the three subgroups. Donor-site, flap, and other miscellaneous complications were compared among subgroups, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for flap and donor-site complications. Results: Compared with normal weight and overweight patients, obese patients had a statistically significantly higher incidence of multiple flap complications (36.7 percent versus 10.6 percent and 36.7 percent versus 10.5 percent, respectively; p = 0.0036) and partial flap necrosis (21.6 percent versus 5.8 percent and 21.6 percent versus 7.1 percent; p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). Lastly, obese patients had a significantly higher incidence of overall (one or more) donor-site complications when compared with normal weight patients (53.3 percent versus 31.9 percent; p = 0.0499). Conclusion: Obese patients, in contrast to normal weight and overweight patients, have a statistically significantly higher risk for developing overall (one or more) and multiple flap complications, overall donor-site complications, TRAM flap delayed wound healing, and minor flap necrosis.

The effect of smoking on flap and donor-site complications in pedicled TRAM breast reconstruction.

Background: The detrimental effects of smoking on pedicled and free flap reconstruction are well documented. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of smoking on flap, donor-site, and other individual and multiple complications in pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective review was carried out of 224 pedicled TRAM flaps in 200 patients over a 10-year period. Three subgroups of patients were identified: active smokers, former smokers (defined as patients who stopped smoking at least 4 weeks before reconstruction), and nonsmokers (patients with no history of smoking). Active smokers made up 15.5 percent of the study population, while former smokers and nonsmokers made up 17.5 percent and 67 percent, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in age, weight, radiation/chemotherapy history, distribution of flap pedicle types, timing of reconstruction, or percentage of delay procedures performed among the smoking subgroups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant risk factors and determine their odds ratios. Results: Compared with nonsmokers, both active and former smokers had a higher incidence of multiple flap complications (p = 0.0023 and 0.0018, respectively; odds ratios, 5.1 and 4.9). Active smokers also had a statistically significant higher rate of TRAM infection compared with nonsmokers (p = 0.0243; odds ratio, 4.7). Finally, former smokers were found to have a higher rate of TRAM delayed wound healing compared with nonsmokers (p = 0.0165; odds ratio, 4.7). Conclusions: Logistic regression identified active smoking as a statistically significant risk factor for developing multiple flap complications and TRAM infection, while former smoking was a risk factor for multiple flap complications and TRAM delayed wound healing. Thus, active and former smoking should similarly be considered contraindications for pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction, unless the patient has stopped smoking for more than 4 weeks before surgery.

The role of intrinsic muscle flaps of the foot for bone coverage in foot and ankle defects in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

&NA; Local muscle flaps, pioneered by Ger in the late 1960s, were extensively used for foot and ankle reconstruction until the late 1970s when, with the evolution of microsurgery, microsurgical free flaps became the reconstructive method of choice. To assess whether the current underuse of local muscle flaps in foot and ankle surgery is justified, the authors identified from the Georgetown Limb Salvage Registry all patients who underwent foot and ankle reconstruction with local muscle flaps and microsurgical free flaps from 1990 through 1998. By protocol, flap coverage was the reconstructive choice for defects with exposed tendons, joints, or bone. Local muscle flaps were always selected over free flaps if the defect was small (3 × 6 cm or less) and within reach of the local muscle flap. During the same time frame, the authors performed 45 free flaps (96 percent success rate) in the same areas when the defects were too large or out of reach of local muscle flaps. Thirty‐two consecutive patients underwent local muscle flap reconstruction for 19 diabetic wounds and 13 traumatic wounds. All wounds, after debridement, had exposed bone at their base, with osteomyelitis being present in 52 percent of the diabetic wounds and in 70 percent of the nondiabetic wounds. Wounds were located in the hindfoot (47 percent), midfoot (44 percent), and ankle (9 percent). Vascular disease was more prevalent in the diabetic group, in which 42 percent of the affected limbs required revascularization procedures before reconstruction (versus 7 percent in the nondiabetic group). Subsequently, 83 total operations were required to heal the wounds, of which 46 percent were limited to debridement only. Thirty‐four pedicled muscle flaps were used: 19 abductor digiti minimi (56 percent), nine abductor hallucis (26 percent), three extensor digitorum brevis (9 percent), two flexor digitorum brevis (6 percent), and one flexor digiti minimi (3 percent). An additional skin graft for complete coverage was required in 18 patients (53 percent). One patient died and one flap developed distal necrosis, for a 96 percent success rate. The complication rate was 26 percent and included patient death, dehiscence, and partial flap or split‐thickness skin graft loss. Twenty‐nine of the 32 wounds healed. One patient died in the postoperative period; in two others the wounds failed to heal and required below‐knee amputations, for an overall limb salvage rate of 91 percent. Diabetes did not significantly affect healing and limb salvage rates. Diabetes, however, did affect healing times (twofold increase), length of stay (2.7 times as long), and long‐term survival (63 percent survival in diabetic patients versus 100 percent in the trauma group). Local muscle flaps provide a simpler, less expensive, and successful alternative to microsurgical free flaps for smallfoot and ankle defects that have exposed bone (with or without osteomyelitis), tendon, or joint at their base. Diabetes does not appear to adversely affect the effectiveness of these flaps. Local muscle flaps should remain on the forefront of possible reconstructive options when treating small foot and ankle wounds that have exposed bone, tendon, or joint. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 110: 1047, 2002.)

Revision augmentation mastopexy: indications, operations, and outcomes.

In the absence of any published information on the indications, frequency, and outcomes of revision augmentation/mastopexy, an 8-year retrospective review was undertaken of all patients undergoing revision of a previous augmentation/mastopexy in the senior author’s practice. The data collected included original implant type, location and mastopexy type, indication for revision, interval from original surgery, new implant type, location, and associated corrective surgical procedures. A simultaneous review was also performed of all primary augmentation/mastopexies done during the same period.Twenty patients underwent revision of 34 previously performed augmentation/mastopexies. Five patients underwent revisions of a prior revision. Fourteen were bilateral, while 6 were unilateral, for a total of 34 breasts. Forty patients underwent primary augmentation/mastopexy during the same period. Among the revisions, 10 implants were originally subglandular, while 24 were either partly or totally submuscular. Twelve of the previous mastopexies were periareolar, 2 were vertical, and 20 were of the inverted T-type. The indications for revision included capsular contracture in 11 of 20 (55%) patients, nipple ptosis in 11 of 20 (55%) patients, implant malposition in 7 of 20 (35%) patients, dissatisfaction with implant size in 6 of 20 (30%) patients, poor scar in 5 of 20 (25%) patients, breast ptosis in 4 of 20 (20%) patients, nipple malposition in 2 of 20 (10%) patients, and patient preference in 1 of 20 (5%) patients. Most patients had 2 or more indications for revision. The average duration to revision was 7 years. In 13 of 20 (65%) patients, no change in implant type was made. The remainder had exchanges to a different type. In 12 of 20 (60%) patients, no change in implant location was made, whereas 8 of 20 (40%) patients had a change to the subpectoral or dual plane position. In 18 of 20 (90%) patients, the revision included the same type of mastopexy, while in 2 of 20 (10%) patients, the type of mastopexy was changed. Corrective surgical procedures performed included repeat mastopexy, capsulectomy, change of implant type, change of implant location, change of implant size, capsulotomy, capsulorrhaphy, and scar revision. To date, all of the patients are satisfied with their appearance. Follow-up ranged from 2 months to 4 years.Revision augmentation mastopexy is not an uncommon procedure, occurring half as often as primary augmentation/mastopexy in our series. There were 8 common indications for revision, with capsular contracture and recurrent ptosis being the most common. Eight surgical procedures, in various combinations, were performed during revision, with repeat mastopexy being the most common.

Safety and risk factors for breast reconstruction with pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flaps: a 10-year analysis.

Background:The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of various risk factors on complications in patients undergoing pedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction. Methods:A retrospective review of 224 pedicled TRAMs in 200 patients over a 10-year period was carried out. Patients were divided into subgroups based on smoking history, weight, radiation status, and pedicle type. Complication rates were calculated and logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors. Results:Logistic regression identified active smoking as a statistically significant risk factor for developing multiple (2 or more) flap complications (P = 0.0061) and TRAM infection (P = 0.0255), while former smoking was a risk factor for multiple flap complications (P = 0.01) and TRAM-delayed wound healing (P = 0.0433). Obesity (body mass index ≥30) was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for overall (1 or more) donor-site complications (P = 0.0281), overall flap complications (P = 0.0375), multiple flap complications (P = 0.0002), TRAM-delayed wound healing (P = 0.0334), and minor flap necrosis (P = 0.0075). Conclusions:This study identified that active or former smoking and obesity contribute to a significant complication rate, while overweight body habitus, use of double-pedicled flaps, and pre-TRAM radiation do not. This second decade “look-back” on pedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction emphasizes the need for appropriate patient selection to achieve successful results with pedicled TRAM breast reconstruction.

Triazolam is more efficacious than diazepam in a broad spectrum of recombinant GABAA receptors

Benzodiazepine-induced modifications of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) activated Cl- currents were studied in native GABAA receptors expressed in neonatal rat brain cortical neurons in primary cultures and in recombinant GABAA receptors expressed in transformed human embryonic kidney cells (293) after a transient transfection with cDNAs encoding for different molecular forms of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits of GABAA receptors. The efficacy of triazolam in cortical neurons was higher than that of diazepam. In transfected cells, triazolam showed a greater efficacy as a positive modulator of GABA-elicited Cl- currents in alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 1, alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 2, alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 3, alpha 6 beta 1 gamma 2 and alpha 1 beta 3 gamma 2 receptors than diazepam, except in alpha 3 beta 1 gamma 2 receptors where diazepam was more efficacious. When triazolam and diazepam were applied together to GABAA receptors assembled by transfecting cDNAs encoding for alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 1 subunits, the action of triazolam was curtailed in a manner related to the dose of diazepam. In recombinant receptors assembled with alpha 1 beta 1 gamma 1 receptors, maximally active doses of triazolam were more efficacious than those of clonazepam, alpidem, zolpidem, diazepam or bretazenil.

The Anatomy of the Greater Occipital Nerve: Part Ii. Compression Point Topography

Background: Advances in the understanding of migraine trigger points have pointed to entrapment of peripheral nerves in the head and neck as a cause of this debilitating condition. An anatomical study was undertaken to develop a greater understanding of the potential entrapment sites along the course of this nerve. Methods: The posterior neck and scalp of 25 fresh cadaveric heads were dissected. The greater occipital nerve was identified within the subcutaneous tissue above the trapezius and traced both proximal and distal. Its fascial, muscular, and vascular investments were located and accurately measured relative to established bony landmarks. Results: Dissection of the greater occipital nerve revealed six major compression points along its course. The deepest (most proximal) point was between the semispinalis and the obliquus capitis inferior, near the spinous process. The second point was at its entrance into the semispinalis. The previously described “intermediate” point was at the nerves exit from the semispinalis. A fourth point was located at the entrance of the nerve into the trapezius muscle. The fifth point of compression is where the nerve exits the trapezius fascia insertion into the nuchal line. The occipital artery often crosses the nerve, and this frequently occurs in this distal region of the trapezius fascia, which is the final point. Conclusions: There are six compression points along the greater occipital nerve. These can be located using the data from this study, serving as a guide for surgeons interested in treating patients with migraine headaches originating in these areas. Long-term relief from migraine headaches has been demonstrated clinically by using both noninvasive and surgical decompression of these points.

Indications and outcomes for surgical treatment of patients with chronic migraine headaches caused by occipital neuralgia.

Background: Occipital neuralgia is a headache syndrome characterized by paroxysmal headaches localizing to the posterior scalp. The critical diagnostic feature is symptomatic response to local anesthetic blockade of the greater or lesser occipital nerve. Further characterization is debated in the literature regarding the diagnosis and optimal management of this condition. The authors present the largest reported series of surgical neurolysis of the greater occipital nerve in the management of occipital neuralgia. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify 206 consecutive patients undergoing neurolysis of the greater or, less commonly, excision of the greater and/or lesser occipital nerves. A detailed description of the procedure is presented, as is the algorithm for patient selection and timing of surgery. Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue pain scores and migraine headache indices were measured. Success was defined as a reduction in pain of 50 percent or greater. Results: Of 206 patients, 190 underwent greater occipital nerve neurolysis (171 bilateral). Twelve patients underwent greater and lesser occipital nerve excision, whereas four underwent lesser occipital nerve excision alone. The authors found that 80.5 percent of patients experienced at least 50 percent pain relief and 43.4 percent of patients experienced complete relief of headache. Mean preoperative pain score was 7.9 ± 1.4. Mean postoperative pain was 1.9 ± 1.8. Minimum duration of follow-up was 12 months. There were two minor complications. Conclusion: Neurolysis of the greater occipital nerve appears to provide safe, durable pain relief in the majority of selected patients with chronic headaches caused by occipital neuralgia.

Relationship between peripheral nerve decompression and gain of pedal sensibility and balance in patients with peripheral neuropathy.

This was an initial exploratory study to determine if decompression of the 4 medial ankle tunnels (neurolysis of the tibial, medial and lateral plantar, and calcaneal nerves) could lead to improved foot sensibility, increased proprioception and balance, and decreased falls in a population of patients with impaired lower extremity sensation. Fourteen patients with peripheral neuropathy were included in this study. Seventy-one percent of patients were females. Average age was 67 years. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively to assess their lower extremity sensibility, as well as their ability to stand still, maintaining their balance with their eyes open and then closed, which is defined as “sway.” Lower extremity sensibility was measured with the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device (PSSD), which evaluates 1- and 2-point discrimination for the pulp of the big toe and medial heel. The MatScan Measurement System measured each patients sway. Neuropathy was the result of diabetes in 72% of patients, a combination of diabetes and hypothyroidism in 7%, chemotherapy in 7%, and idiopathic in 14%. Eight patients underwent peripheral nerve decompression on 1 lower extremity, whereas 6 patients underwent bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve decompression. Mean toe and heel sensibility improved 9% and 7%, respectively, in the unilateral group, whereas the bilateral group experienced an improvement in mean toe and heel sensibility of 42% (P = 0.02) and 32%, respectively. Preoperative and postoperative sway comparison in the unilateral group revealed a reduction in sway with eyes open and eyes closed by 5% and 31%, respectively. Comparison of preoperative and postoperative sway in the bilateral group showed a reduction with eyes open and eyes closed by 23% and 145% (P = 0.05), respectively. This initial study suggests that there may be benefit from bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve decompression in helping improve pedal sensibility and balance within the peripheral neuropathy patient population, although further investigation with a larger sample size is warranted to further evaluate these preliminary findings.