• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.217-222
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish guidelines for ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe-brachial index (TBI) and toe pressure with regard to healing of diabetic foot amputation wound. Material and Methods: We designed a retrospective study that included patients with diabetic foot ulcer. From 2008 to 2011, 46 patients who had suffered from amputation of a foot due to diabetic foot ulcer were included in this study. We divided them into amputation-success group and amputation-revision group, and compared their ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe-brachial index (TBI) and toe pressure between two groups. Amputation-revision group is that first forefoot amputation is failed to heal successfully and need to have another proximal amputation. Results: Toe pressure was 78 mmHg (54~107) in the amputation success group, 0 mmHg (0~43) in the amputation revision group (p=0.000). Ankle-brachial index was 1.1650(1.0475~1.1975) in the amputation success group, 0.92(0.5275~1.0750) in the amputation revision group (p=0.05), and toe-brachial index was 0.6100(0.4050~0.7575) in the amputation success group, 0.00(0.00~0.4150) in the amputation revision group (p=0.04), respectively. Conclusion: ABI, TBI, toe pressure of amputation success group were significantly higher than those of amputation revision group.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 2018

Background Amputation is commonly performed for toe necrosis secondary to peripheral vascular diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. When amputating a necrotic toe, preservation of the bony structure is important for preventing the collapse of adjacent digits into the amputated space. However, in the popular terminal Syme's amputation technique, partial amputation of the distal phalanx could cause increased tension on the wound margin. Herein, we introduce a new way to resect sufficient bony structure while maintaining the normal length, based on a morphological analysis of the toes. Methods Unlike the pulp of the finger in the distal phalanx, the toe has abundant teardrop-shaped pulp tissue. The ratio of the vertical length to the longitudinal length in the distal phalanx was compared between the toes and fingers. Amputation was performed at the proximal interphalangeal joint level. Then, a mobilizable pulp flap was rotated $90^{\circ}$ cephalad to replace the distal soft tissue defect. This modified toe fillet flap was performed in 5 patients. Results The toe pulp was found to have a vertically oriented morphology compared to that of the fingers, enabling length preservation through cephalad rotation. All defects were successfully covered without marginal ischemia. Conclusions While conventional toe fillet flap coverage focuses on the principle of length preservation as the first priority, our modified method takes both wound healing and length into account. The fattiest part of the pulp is advanced to the toe tip, providing a cushioning effect and enough length to substitute for phalangeal bone loss. Our modified method led to satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2019

Purpose: This study compared and analyzed the risk factors that affect a wound healing group and healing failure group. Materials and Methods: From 2010 to 2018, 39 patients who had suffered a single toe amputation were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups (wound healing group and healing failure group - within at least 3 months following the amputation). Regarding the possible risk factors, age, gender, Wagner and Brodsky classifications, duration of diabetes mellitus, whether the patient had peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) or cardiovascular disease, body mass index, HbA1c, total cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), smoking, and alcohol were investigated. Results: The mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 140 months in the healing group and 227 months in the healing failure group, and the duration of diabetes was significantly longer in the failure group (p=0.009). A significant difference in eGFR was observed between the two groups ($59.17mL/min/1.73m^2$ in the healing group and $31.1mL/min/1.73m^2$ in the failure group) (p=0.022). Sixteen patients with PAOD were found, all 10 patients in the healing failure group were PAOD patients. Conclusion: To reduce the additional complications in single toe amputation patients, the underlying disease and appropriate treatment are the most important factors. In addition, a more proximal level of amputation also should be considered in cases of patients with PAOD, high BUN and low eGFR, and patients with long-term diabetes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.257-264
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• 2012

Purpose: The diabetic foot lesions are intractable, and aggravation often leads to amputation. None or minor amputation group was treated debridement or toe amputation and major amputation group was treated Ray, Lisfranc, Chopart, Below Knee and Above Knee amputation. We investigate the risk factors for major limb amputations among patients with diabetic foot lesion. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 73 diabetic foot lesion patients (83 diabetic foot lesions) treated at our department from January 2006 to December 2010. Non or Minor amputation group of 44 cases were treated with debridement or toe amputation. Major amputation group of 39 cases were treated with Ray, Lisfranc, Chopart, below or above Knee amputation. We investigated socioeconomic factors, diabetes mellitus related factors and wound related factors and laboratory factors. Statistical analysis was done by Students t-test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney's U test. Results: In our analysis, wound size, wound classification (Wagner classification, Brodsky classification), white blood cell counts, polymorphoneuclear neutrophil percentage, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein and albumin were risk factors for major amputation (p<0.05). Conclusion: Low education level, nutritional condition, premorbid activity level and progressed wound condition were observed in major amputation group compared with non or minor amputation group. In the major amputation group, higher white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level and lower albumin level were observed. Together with maintenance of adequate nutritional condition, early detection of lesions and foot care for early treatment is important. Therefore, active investigation with full risk evaluation of vascular complication is also important.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2000

Recommendable reconstructive surgery in the patient with thumb amputation through base of the first metacarpal bone is pollicization. Some patients who do not agree with harvest sound finger as a new thumb, we can consider other options as toe transplantation or osteoplastic thumb reconstruction for creating thumb. Toe transplantation to the thumb is effective procedure in the amputation of distal to metacarpal shaft, it is rarely indicated in the cases of proximal to base of the first metacarpal bone. We performed three cases of modified osteoplastic thumb reconstruction with free vascularized rib that combined with scapular free flap or radial forearm flap. The length of transplanted rib ranged from 7~11cm, the donor vessels are posterior intercostal artery and vein which anastomosed to radial artery. The grafted rib wrapped with additional free flap for creating new thumb. Result of that procedure was not much encouraging, aesthetic appearance and mobility of thumb were not so satisfactory but reconstructed thumb gave improvement of the hand function without sacrificing toe or other digit. That gave reasonable stability for powerful side pinch and three pod pinch and opposable thumb with normal carpo-metacarpal joint motion that can give much function to the thumb absent hand. In spite of those disadvantages, thumb reconstruction with rib transfer can be useful for patients who do not want to lose another part of the body for creating thumb in basal amputation of the thumb metacarpal.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.148-155
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• 2020

Purpose: Minor foot amputations are performed for recurrent or infected ulcers or osteomyelitis of the diabetic feet. Patients may require a large amount of bone resection for wound closure. On the other hand, this results in more foot dysfunction and a longer time to heal. The authors describe fillet flap coverage to avoid more massive resection in selected cases. This study shows the results of fillet flap coverage for the closure of diabetic foot minor amputation. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective case series of patients who underwent forefoot and midfoot amputation and fillet flap for osteomyelitis or nonhealing ulcers between March 2013 to November 2017. In addition, the patient comorbidities, hospital days, complications, and duration to complete healing were evaluated. Results: Fourteen fillet flap procedures were performed on 12 patients. Of those, two had toe necrosis, nine had forefoot necrosis, and three had midfoot necrosis. Eleven forefoot amputations and three midfoot amputations were performed. Among forefoot necrosis after a fillet flap, three patients had revision surgery for partial necrosis of the flap, and two patients had an additional amputation. Two patients had additional amputations among those with midfoot necrosis. By the fillet flap, the amputation size was reduced as much as possible. The mean initial healing days, complete healing days, and hospital stay was 70.6 days, 129.0 days, and 60.0 days, respectively. Conclusion: The fillet flap facilitates restoration of the normal foot contour and allows salvage of the metatarsal or toe.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.216-220
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) below the knee as a treatment in diabetic foot gangrene. Materials and Methods: Between May 2003 and May 2006, angiography was performed in 35 diabetic foot gangrene classified as either Wagner grade IV or V. Infrapopliteal PTA was performed in 10 patients among them. Clinical success was defined as prevention of major amputation. Results: Among 25 patients who did not receive infrapopliteal PTA, the major amputation rate is 22% (in one arterial occlusion cases), 50% (in two arterial occlusion cases), 63% (in three arterial occlusion cases), respectively. Infrapopliteal PTA was successfully performed in 8 among 10 patients. Two patients were failed and undergone below-knee amputation. Toe amputation were performed in 2 patients with one arterial occlusion. Out of 6 patients with three arterial occlusions, toe amputations were performed in 4 patients and the other 2 patients were healed through debridement. Conclusion: As a first choice revascularization procedure for limb salvage in diabetic foot gangrene, infrapopliteal PTA can be one of treatment options.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.121-125
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigates the amputation rate within 1 year after the diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer and its associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 60 patients with diabetic foot ulcer. The mean and standard deviation age was $64.4{\pm}12.8years$ (range, 32~89 years); the mean and standard deviation prevalence period for diabetes mellitus was $21.0{\pm}7.5years$ (range, 0.5~36 years). The amputation rate was evaluated by dividing the subjects into two groups - the major and minor amputation groups - within 1 year following the initial diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for amputation. Results: The total amputation rate of 38.3% (n=23) was comprised of the amputation rate for the major amputation group (10.0%) and rate for the minor amputation group (23.8%). There was a high correlation between peripheral artery disease (toe brachial pressure index <0.7) and amputation (hazard ratio [HR] 5.81, confidence interval [CI] 2.09~16.1, p<0.01). Nephropathy was significantly correlated with the amputation rate (HR 3.53, CI 1.29~9.64, p=0.01). Conclusion: Clinicians who treat patients with diabetic foot complications must understand the fact that the amputation rate within 1 year is significant, and that the amputation rate of patients with peripheral artery disease or nephropathy is especially high.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.232-239
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• 2011

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most important diabetic complications because it increases the risk of amputations. Moreover, it lowers the quality of patients' life and increases the social medical expenses. Authors analyzed risk factors of intractable diabetic foot ulcer using retrospective study. Materials and Methods: From January 2007 to December 2010, 40 patients who could not achieve complete healing despite more than 12 weeks of proper management among who had been diagnosed and treated as diabetic foot ulcer at our hospital were included and evaluated retrospectively. We compared the risk factors between two groups who were finally treated by amputation and non-amputation. Results: The sample was composed of 31 male patients (77.5%) and 9 female patients (22.5%). Comorbidity including hypertension and hyperlipidemia were 77.5% and 80% each. By Wagner classification, 30 patients (80%) had ulcerative lesion over the grade 3. From bacteriology results, 29 patients (72.5%) had polybacteria infection. 35 patients (87.5%) had neuropathy and 26 patients (65%) had vascular stenosis at least one level. The mean initial ankle-brachial index and toe-brachial index were 0.982 and 0.439. In comparison between amputation group and non-amputation group, ulcer severity, number of stenotic vessel and initial ankle-brachial index/toe-brachial index had statistical significance. Conclusion: The most commonly risk factor of intractable diabetic foot ulcer was peripheral neuropathy reaching 87.5% of cases. In comparison with non-amputation group, ulcer severity according to Wagner classification, number of stenotic vessel and initial ankle-brachial index/toe-brachial index were demonstrated as a risk factor of amputation in intractable diabetic foot ulcer.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.32-35
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• 2016

We reported on a rare case of recurred macrodystrophia lipomatosa of the foot, and reviewed the literature. A 62-year-old male patient presented with right foot second toe pain; preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and radiograph examination was performed. After surgery the biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was checked before and after surgery. Wide excision of the affected area including ray amputation is an effective way to prevent recurrence and relieve the pain after surgery. The 2nd toe ray amputation was performed in the treatment of recurred macrodystrophia lipomatosa of the foot, and is thought to be an effective way to relieve pain and prevent recurrence. After minimally invasive surgery with complete excision surgery, additional data on recurrence and pain relief rate are needed.