• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.49-54
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• 2023

Purpose: The present study examined the effectiveness of the preoperative ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in predicting the healing period of amputation wounds in patients with diabetes mellitus following a non-traumatic below-knee amputation (BKA). Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 41 diabetic foot ulcer patients who underwent BKA at the authors' hospital diabetic foot center from April 2016 to April 2022. Among the 41 patients, 29 (70.7%) were male and 12 (29.3%) were female. Their mean age was 64.54±11.38 years (41~81 years). The mean follow-up period was 19.48±5.56 weeks (14~48 weeks) after BKA. The patients were divided into two groups (high IMA group and normal IMA group), which evaluated the healing period, wound dehiscence, and revision operation rate using a Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test. Three orthopedic surgeons performed stump wound evaluation, and they were evaluated as healing when all sutures were fused without oozing. Results: Thirty patients (73.2%) (group A) showed a high level of IMA (median: 91.2 U/mL), and 11 (26.8%) patients (group B) showed a normal range of IMA (median: 82.7 U/mL). In group A, the median period for wound healing took 1.4 weeks longer, which was significant (p=0.001). No statistical relationship was observed between wound dehiscence, revision operation rate, and IMA value. There was no correlation between the other risk factors (estimated glomerular filtration rate, HbA1c) and the wound healing period. Conclusion: Although there was a limitation in using IMA as the sole factor to predict the healing period of amputation wounds in patients after BKA, this study revealed a significant positive correlation between IMA and the period of stump healing after BKA. Therefore, the preoperative IMA levels may help predict the period of stump healing after BKA.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.291-296
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• 2020

Background: We report our 10-year experience with traumatic peripheral arterial injury repair at an urban level I trauma center. Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2016, 28 adult trauma patients presented with traumatic peripheral arterial injuries. Data were retrospectively collected on demographic characteristics, the mechanism of injury, the type of vascular injury, and physiological status on initial assessment. The analysis also included the Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS), Injury Severity Score, surgical procedures, and outcome variables including limb salvage, hospital stay, intensive care unit stay, and postoperative vascular complications. Results: Four (14.3%) patients required amputation due to failed revascularization. MESS significantly differed between patients with blunt and penetrating trauma (8.2±2.2 vs. 5.8±1.3, respectively; p=0.005). The amputation rate was not significantly different between patients with blunt and penetrating trauma (20% vs. 0%, respectively; p=0.295). The overall mortality rate was 3.6% (1 patient). Conclusion: Blunt trauma was associated with higher MESS than penetrating trauma, and amputation was more frequent. In particular, patients with blunt trauma had significantly higher MESS than patients with penetrating trauma (8.2±2.2 vs. 5.8±1.3, respectively; p=0.005), and amputation was performed when revascularization failed in cases of blunt trauma of the lower extremity. Therefore, particular care is needed in making treatment decisions for patients with peripheral arterial injuries caused by blunt trauma.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2006

We retrospectively evaluated our results of replantations of distal digital amputations and analyzed the factors deterrent to the survival of replanted digits. From January 2004 to 2005 June, we performed 101 cases of replantations following complete amputations at or distal to interphalangeal joint level. The study included 98 patients with a mean age of 35.6 years (range 1 to 63 years). Amputation level correlated to zone I (distal to the lunula)in 47 cases and zone II (lunula to distal interphalangeal joint) in 54 cases according to Yamano's classification. According to the mechanism of amputation, 24 cases (22.9%) suffered from guillotine type injury, 27 cases (27.1 %) from avulsion type injury and 50 cases (50%) from crush type injury. In all cases, a single arterial anastomosis was performed. Venous anastomosis on either volar or dorsal side was performed in 12 cases of amputation in zone II. Salvage procedure for venous drainage was performed in 98 cases. The mean duration of salvage procedures was 5.9 days (ranging from 4 to 14 days). Successful replantation was achieved in 96 cases (95.1%), which included 93.7% cases in zone I amputations and 96.3% cases in zone II amputations. A single venous anastomosis was performed in 12 cases of amputation in zone II. All of them survived completely. Among the 5 cases that failed to survive, 3 cases were related with avulsion injury in zone I. Initial mechanism of injury determines the survival rate of amputated parts as it is directly related with the status of vessels and soft tissues. Meticulous precaution during the salvage procedure may affect the overall survival rate of distal digital replantations.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2011

During below knee amputation, the amputation stump must be covered with well-vascularized and sensate soft tissue. Many flaps can be used for this purpose, but available reconstructive options are limited. We performed reverse flow ALT flap elevation on two patients with below knee amputations to reconstruct defects in the stumps. The sizes of the defects in the stumps were $4{\times}16$ cm and $5{\times}5$ cm, respectively. The most distal portion of the defects were located 20 cm and 16 cm lateral to the knee joint in a curve, respectively. The size of the elevated flap was $5{\times}18$ cm for case 1 and $18{\times}10$ cm for case 2. The respective pivot points of the pedicles were 7 cm and 6 cm above the patella and the respective lengths of the pedicles were 17 cm and 16 cm. In both cases, venous congestion occurred on the second postoperative day and the flap distal to 10 cm or more from below the knee joint was necrotized at the second postoperative week. Surgeons should be cautious when using a reverse ALT flap to reconstruct a soft tissue defect located 10 cm or more distal from below the knee joint. Since a pedicle longer than 15 cm may develop partial necrosis of the flap, simultaneous application of antegrade venous drainage is recommended.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 1974

Eleven cases of peripheral arterial injuries treated at Korea University Woo Sok Hospital during these 3 years and 3 months from Feb. 1971Eleven cases of peripheral arterial injuries treated at Korea University Woo Sok Hospital during these 3 years and 3 months from Feb. 1971 to May 1974 were reviewed. Common causes of injuries were stab wound, automobile accidents and iatrogenic injuries during operation. Of the 11 arterial injuries 3 were femoral artery which` was the commonest in frequency and the next was 2 cases of brachial artery. The most frequent type of injury was transection. Laceration, contusion and spasm was also recognized. The need to operate immediately following an injury was emphasized. Operative procedures were end to end anastomosis and saphenous vein graft in 5 and 2 cases, respectively. Other cases were undergone multiple suture ligature due to staphyllococcal infection, insertion of polyethylene catheter, and lateral suture after thromboendarterectomy. Fractures and extensive soft tissue damage associated with arterial injuries with widespread destruction of the collateral circulation aggravated the situation and complicated the amputation of lower extremity in 4 cases. The factors influencing the amputation were time lag, presence of associated injuries and complications.[KTCS 1974;1:109-116] Common causes of injuries were stab wound, automobile accidents and iatrogenic injuries during operation. Of the 11 arterial injuries 3 were femoral artery which` was the commonest in frequency and the next was 2 cases of brachial artery. The most frequent type of injury was transection. Laceration, contusion and spasm was also recognized. The need to operate immediately following an injury was emphasized. Operative procedures were end to end anastomosis and saphenous vein graft in 5 and 2 cases, respectively. Other cases were undergone multiple suture ligature due to staphyllococcal infection, insertion of polyethylene catheter, and lateral suture after thromboendarterectomy. Fractures and extensive soft tissue damage associated with arterial injuries with widespread destruction of the collateral circulation aggravated the situation and complicated the amputation of lower extremity in 4 cases. The factors influencing the amputation were time lag, presence of associated injuries and complications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.124-130
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• 2005

In the microsurgical era, replantation with microvascular anastomosis is considered as the most superior method in aspects of texture, color, shape in case of nose amputation. There are some reported cases of replantation in nose amputation historically, but most of them are composite graft cases rather than microvascular anastomosis. Only a few cases of successful nasal replantation with microvascular anastomosis have been reported due to the reason that the size of vessels is usually very small and identifying suitable vessels for anastomosis is difficult. Microanastomosis of artery and microanastomosis of vein are ideal in replantation, but identifying suitable veins is often difficult. Without venous anastomosis, resolving the venous congestion remains to be a problem. We can carry out arteriovenous shunt if we can find two arteries in amputee. However, the smaller the size of amputee is, the more difficult it is to find two arteries. Instead of arteriovenous shunt, we can try external venous drainage(frequently swab, pin-prick, stab incision, IV or local heparin injection, dropping, apply of heparin-soaked gauze, use of medical leech). Here, we present three cases of replantation with microscopical arterial anastomosis (one angular artery, two dorsal nasal arteries) and external venous drainage (stab incision, application of medical leech and heparin-soaked gauze) even though the size of amputee may be as small as $1.5{\times}1.0cm$. In all cases, surgical outcomes were excellent in cosmetic and functional aspects. This report describes successful replantation by microvasular anastomosis in case that suitable veins are not found.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.562-570
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• 2014

Background Knee disarticulations (KD) are most commonly employed following trauma or tumor resection but represent less than 2% of all lower extremity amputations performed in the United States annually. KDs provide enhanced proprioception, a long lever arm, preservation of adductor muscle insertion, decreased metabolic cost of ambulation, and an end weight-bearing stump. The role for KDs in the setting of arterial insufficiency or overwhelming infection is less clear. The purpose of this study is to describe technique modifications and report surgical outcomes following KDs at a high-volume Limb Salvage Center. Methods A retrospective study of medical records for all patients who underwent a through-knee amputation performed by the senior author (C.E.A.) between 2004 and 2012 was completed. Medical records were reviewed to collect demographic, operative, and postoperative information for each of the patients identified. Results Between 2004 and 2012, 46 through-knee amputations for 41 patients were performed. The mean patient age was 68 and indications for surgery included infection (56%), arterial thrombosis (35%), and trauma (9%). Postoperative complications included superficial cellulitis (13%), soft tissue infection (4%), and flap ischemia (4%) necessitating one case of surgical debridement (4%) and four transfemoral amputations (9%). 9 (22%) patients went on to ambulate. Postoperative ambulation was greatest in the traumatic cohort and for patients less than 50 years of age, P<0.05. Alternatively, diabetes mellitus and infection reduced the likelihood of postoperative ambulation, P<0.01. Conclusions Knee disarticulations are a safe and effective alternative to other lower extremity amputations when clinically feasible. For patient unlikely to ambulate, a through-knee amputation maximizes ease of transfers, promotes mobility by providing a counterbalance, and eliminates the potential for knee flexion contracture with subsequent skin breakdown.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2007

Introduction: Microsurgical replantation of amputated digit have become common procedure in recent years. However replantation of fingertip amputation, Zone I by Yamano classification, is still difficult because digital arteries branch into small arteries and also digital veins are hard to separate from the immobile soft tissue. So, fingertip amputation was covered by volar V-Y flap, composite graft, cross finger flap and groin flap. But patients who have been treated by these methods experience shortening of digit, nail deformity, excessive tenderness and persistent pain. Replantation could solve most of these problems. Material & Methods: In our department, from March 2004 to August 2007, 36 digits in 32 patients with complete amputation at distal to nail base were replanted using a microsurgical technique. Results: The overall survival rate of the replanted finger was 75%. Venous anastomosis was possible in 8 cases and impossible in 28 cases. In latter cases external bleeding technique was applied with medical leech. Conclusion: After replantation, a few patient complained decreased sensibility, nail deformity and cold intolerance. But most of patients were satisfied with the functional and cosmetic appearance of the viable replanted digits. We believe the replantation should be the first choice in fingertip amputation.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.27-30
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• 2009

Purpose: Recently, replantation of fingertip amputation, Zone I by Yamano classification, is still difficult because digital arteries branch into small arteries and also digital veins are hard to separate from the immobile soft tissue. However the replantation of fingertip in adults is a well-established procedure, but the replantation in infant or child is still uncommon. Therefore we present one case of replantation of the fingertip of the small finger in 12-months-old patient. Methods: We experienced a 12-months-old male amputation of small finger. It had been amputated completely at the level of Zone I by Yamano classification. Replantation was performed using the arteryonly technique with neither vein nor nerve repair. Because the artery has been damaged, it is still possible to make a direct suture by transposing the arterial arch in an inverted Y to I arterial configuration. Venous drainage was provided by an external bleeding method with partial nail excision and repaired margin for approximately 7 days. Results: We were performed replantation in infant with only-arterial anastomosis successfully, result in good recovery of aesthetic and functional outcome. Conclusion: In conclusion, although fingertip injury was difficult to replantation in infant and child, we must try it. Because of its functional and cosmetic advantage.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.322-329
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• 1990

The effects of retinoic acid (RA) on the regenerating limbs of Korean newt (Hynobius leechii) larvae have been studied. Intraperitoneal injection of RA at 4 days post-amputation caused the proximalization of regenerate structures in the proximodistal (PD) axis of the limbs amputated through either the distal zeugopodium or the distal stylopodium. The mean level of proximalization (MLP) increased as a dose-dependent manner, and the MLP was also dependent on the level of amputation at a given dose of RA. At the dose of 150 $\mu$ g/g body wt., MLP's in either amputation level reached close to a peak value, and an increasing number of inhibition of regeneration or duplication in the transverse plane occurred at the dose of 200 $\mu$ g/ g body wt. and above. The changes induced by RA treatment suggest that positional values in the cells of the regenerating limbs have been modified in the three cardinal axes including PD and transverse axes in a graded mode. Furthermore, from the comparison of data in two different amputation levels, it can be speculated that the sensitivity of cells to RA effect along the PD axis might not be linear.