Surgical Techniques of, and Outcomes after, Distal Muscle Stabilization in Transfemoral Amputation: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Distal muscle stabilization, such as myodesis (suturing muscles to bone) or myoplasty (suturing agonistic-antagonistic muscles together), can aid residual limb stabilization, provide a good soft-tissue covering, and increase rehabilitation potential. However, surgical practice varies due to scant clinical data. The aim of this review is to summarize and evaluate the literature regarding techniques and associated outcomes of distal muscle stabilization in transfemoral amputation (TFA). METHODS: A systematic review and narrative synthesis was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Resources, including observational studies, nonobservational scientific papers, conference proceedings, and textbooks, detailing techniques of TFA distal muscle stabilization were identified from standard medical repositories and library search. A supplementary search of YouTube and Google was undertaken to identify additional resources. Quality assessment was undertaken using Risk Of Bias In Nonrandomized Studies-of Interventions; Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, Significance; and modified-Discern tools. RESULTS: Forty seven resources were identified, including 17 journal articles, 17 textbooks, 5 educational websites/eBooks, 5 videos, 2 online presentations, and 1 webpage. Thirty seven described myodesis, 11 described myoplasty, and 6 described closure without distal muscle stabilization. Eight observational studies presented outcome data for 302 TFAs. No studies comparing closure with or without distal muscle stabilization were identified. All papers describing myodesis secured the adductors to the femur, and most also secured the quadriceps and/or hamstrings to this complex. Number of femoral drill holes varied from 1 to 6. Early wound complications occurred in 17% of amputations, whereas myodesis failure occurred in 9.5%. Prosthetic fitting rates were 73% and, where reported, 100% of patients maintained neutral femoral alignment. CONCLUSIONS: Distal muscle stabilization, particularly myodesis, is a commonly described technique for TFA, although operative techniques are heterogenous. There is a paucity of outcome data, and no studies comparing it to closures without distal muscle stabilization. However, these low-quality data suggest wound healing rates are equivalent to TFA without distal muscle stabilization while demonstrating improvement to patients' rehabilitation potential.

The incidence of surgical site infection following major lower limb amputation: A systematic review.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) following major lower limb amputation (MLLA) in vascular patients are a major source of morbidity. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the incidence of SSI following MLLA in vascular patients. This review was prospectively registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42023460645). Databases were searched without date restriction using a pre-defined search strategy. The search identified 1427 articles. Four RCTs and 21 observational studies, reporting on 50 370 MLLAs, were included. Overall SSI incidence per MLLA incision was 7.2% (3628/50370). The incidence of SSI in patients undergoing through-knee amputation (12.9%) and below-knee amputation (7.5%) was higher than the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing above-knee amputation, (3.9%), p < 0.001. The incidence of SSI in studies focusing on patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), diabetes or including patients with both was 8.9%, 6.8% and 7.2%, respectively. SSI is a common complication following MLLA in vascular patients. There is a higher incidence of SSI associated with more distal amputation levels. The reported SSI incidence is similar between patients with underlying PAD and diabetes. Further studies are needed to understand the exact incidence of SSI in vascular patients and the factors which influence this.

Tourniquet use for people with peripheral arterial disease undergoing major lower limb amputations.

BACKGROUND: At least 7000 major lower limb amputations (MLLAs) are performed in the UK each year, 80% of which are due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Intraoperative blood loss can have a deleterious effect on patient outcomes, and its replacement with transfused blood is not without risk. Tourniquets can be used in lower limb surgical procedures to provide a bloodless surgical field, minimise intraoperative blood loss, and reduce perioperative blood transfusion requirements. Although their safety has been demonstrated in certain orthopaedic operations, their use among people with PAD undergoing MLLA remains controversial. Many clinicians are concerned about tourniquets potentially compromising perfusion of the stump and thereby impacting wound healing through direct tissue injury, damage to the arterial supply of the wound, or both. OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and effectiveness of tourniquet use in people undergoing MLLA for complications of PAD, specifically with regard to intraoperative blood loss, change in haemoglobin levels, transfusion rates, wound healing, need for revision surgery, and postoperative complications including mortality. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov trials registers from inception to 17 May 2022. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing tourniquet use to no tourniquet use among people with PAD undergoing MLLA. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard Cochrane methods. Primary outcomes were intraoperative blood loss, fall in haemoglobin levels, and perioperative blood transfusion requirement. Secondary outcomes were primary wound-healing rates, stump revision rates, other postoperative complications defined as per Clavien-Dindo classification, and postoperative mortality at 30 days and at maximal follow-up. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS: One RCT met our inclusion criteria, which was a prospective randomised blinded controlled trial conducted in Sheffield, UK in 2006. In total 64 participants undergoing transtibial amputation for non-reconstructable PAD were randomised to either tourniquet or no tourniquet to assess for intraoperative blood loss, fall in haemoglobin, transfusion requirement, wound healing, stump breakdown and revision. Ten participants were excluded postrandomisation (five from the tourniquet group and five from the no tourniquet group). The reported median volume of intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in the tourniquet group (255 mL (interquartile range (IQR) 150 to 572.5 mL))) compared to the control group (550 mL (IQR 255 to 1050 mL)) (P = 0.014). There was a significantly lower median drop in haemoglobin concentration in the tourniquet group (1.0 g/dL (IQR 0.6 to 2.4 g/dL)) compared to the control group (1.8 g/dL (IRQ 0 to 1.2 g/dL)) (P = 0.035). There was a significantly lower perioperative blood transfusion requirement in the tourniquet group (8 participants, 32%) compared to the control group (14 participants, 48%) (P = 0.047). There were no clear differences in wound breakdown, stump revision, primary wound healing at six weeks, postoperative complications (myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary oedema), and death between groups. We assessed the one included study as at low risk of bias for sequence generation and blinding of outcome assessors; high risk of bias for incomplete outcome data and selective outcome reporting; and unclear risk of bias for allocation concealment, blinding of participants and personnel, and other sources of bias. We assessed the certainty of the evidence as low or very low due to risk of bias, small sample size, and the study being insufficiently powered for most outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review identified only one small historical RCT evaluating tourniquet use in MLLA. Tourniquets appeared to reduce intraoperative blood loss, drop in haemoglobin, and blood transfusion requirements following transtibial amputations for people with PAD. However, it is unclear whether tourniquets affect wound healing, stump revision rates, postoperative complications, or mortality. High-certainty evidence is required to inform clinical decision-making for the use of tourniquets in these patients.

Clinical Effects of Tourniquet Use for Nontraumatic Major Lower Limb Amputation: A Two-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of tourniquet use on outcomes after major lower limb amputation (MLLA) due to peripheral arterial disease or complications from diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In this 2-center retrospective observational study, vascular patients who underwent MLLA between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020 at 2 UK hospitals were identified using operating theater databases. Hospital databases were used to access medical records, operation notes, and laboratory reports. The use of a tourniquet in each MLLA was noted. The primary outcome was postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) drop (g/L). Secondary outcomes were units of allogeneic blood transfused perioperatively, 90-day revision rates, 90-day wound breakdown rates, surgical site infection (SSI) rates (at 30 days), and 90-day mortality. A follow-up index (a measure of follow-up completeness) was calculated for all 30-day and 90-day outcomes. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy two patients underwent MLLA, of which 124 had a tourniquet applied. The median postoperative Hb drop was significantly lower in the tourniquet group compared to the nontourniquet group (13 [interquartile range 5-22] g/L vs. 20 [interquartile range 11-28] g/L; P ≤ 0.001). Thirty three point one percent (41) of tourniquet patients received a blood transfusion perioperatively, compared to 35.6% (124) of nontourniquet patients (P = 0.82). Sixteen percent (76) of patients required surgical revision within 90 days, with no significant difference between the tourniquet and nontourniquet group (20.2% tourniquet vs. 14.7% no tourniquet; P = 0.15). SSI rates (12.0% tourniquet vs. 10.6% no tourniquet, P = 0.66) and 90-day mortality (6.5% tourniquet vs. 10.1% no tourniquet; P = 0.23) were similar. Multivariable regression demonstrated that tourniquet use was independently associated with a reduced hemoglobin drop (ß = -4.671, 95% confidence interval -7.51 to -1.83, P ≤ 0.001) but was not associated with wound breakdown, revision surgery, or SSI. Hypertension, SSI, and below-knee amputation using the skew flap technique were all significant predictors of revision surgery. All follow-up indices were ≥ 0.97. CONCLUSIONS: Tourniquet use in MLLA was associated with a significantly lower fall in postoperative Hb without evidence of harm in terms of SSI, wound breakdown/revision rates, or mortality.

Telemedicine in Vascular Surgery During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in seismic changes to healthcare service delivery. The use of telemedicine was widely adopted during the pandemic, although its value in the safe care of vascular patients is unknown. METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken to identify studies that described outcomes or patient/clinician views of telemedicine (telephone or video) services in vascular surgery during or after the pandemic. Two reviewers independently searched medical databases, selected studies, extracted data, and undertook a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included. Most studies reported increased telemedicine use during the pandemic. Most patients (80.6%-100%) were satisfied with telephone or video consultation. More than 90% of the patients felt that telemedicine was a good substitute during the pandemic to avoid travelling and reduce transmission risk. Three studies showed patients had a strong preference for continuing telemedicine consultations postpandemic. Two studies evaluating patients with arterial ulceration and venous diseases reported no significant difference in clinical outcome between patients reviewed face-to-face and those seen remotely. One study showed clinicians preferred face-to-face consultations. No study conducted cost analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and clinicians viewed telemedicine favorably as an alternative to face-to-face clinics during the pandemic and included studies did not identify any safety concerns. Its role postpandemic is not clearly defined, although these data suggest a significant proportion of patients would appreciate, and be suitable for, such consultations in the future.

Ethnic & Sex Disparities in Type B Aortic Dissection Patients Undergoing Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair: An International Perspective.

BACKGROUND: There has been a revolution in the management of type B aortic dissection (TBAD) over the last 2 decades due to the increasing development of endovascular techniques, with the prime example being thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). However, many controversies concerning the use of TEVAR in TBAD exist. For instance, there is little available evidence suggesting any differences in demographics, disease characteristics, intervention technicalities, and clinical outcomes between males and females as well as different ethnicities when undergoing TEVAR for TBAD, both in the short and long term. Also, there is no risk prediction model/tool available. The objective of this international study is to describe and delineate the disparities between male and female patients of different ethnicities in terms of demographics, disease and interventional characteristics, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Over 17 years a total of 58 TBAD patients were admitted to 2 tertiary vascular centres and treated using TEVAR. Mortality, postoperative complications and reintervention data were recorded for the first 30 days after the procedure as well as during follow-up. Follow-up for all patients lasted until the study endpoint or until a patient's death. Data were analysed retrospectively using IBM SPSS statistical package 26 for Windows. RESULTS: The mean age was similar between the 2 groups, with the majority of patients in both being Caucasian. More than half of the males had complicated TBAD, while the majority of females were classed as having uncomplicated disease. The most commonly utilized proximal and distal landing zone for the TEVAR stent graft was zone 2 and zone 4, respectively. The mean proximal stent diameter was significantly larger in males compared to females (P = 0.004). The difference in mean distal diameter between the 2 groups was insignificant (P = 0.721). The mean total stent coverage of the thoracic aorta was 251.3 mm in male patients compared to 291.2 mm in females (P = 0.203). A total of 32 patients underwent adjunctive procedures. Seven (17%) of the males had one or more postoperative complications compared to 2 (12%) females. Nine (22%) males underwent a reintervention procedure post TEVAR compared to only 1 (6%) female (P = 0.136). Overall, males had a mortality rate of 24% (n = 10) compared to 41% of females (n = 7) (P = 0.201). Estimated survival of males and females post TEVAR was 80.4 ± 9.6 months and 69.7 ± 14.4 months (P = 0.428). For the total population, the number of stent grafts was inversely correlated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the favourable clinical outcomes achieved by TEVAR in TBAD, there remains a grey area concerning its management. Thus, it is important to perform risk stratification of individual patients using their demographics and comorbidities, particularly scrutinizing patient sex and ethnic origin, when considering intervention for TBAD to achieve optimum results.

Impact of closed-incision negative pressure wound dressings on surgical site infection following groin incisions in vascular surgery; a single-centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication in vascular surgery, and is associated with increased patient morbidity, readmission and reintervention. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of closed-incision negative pressure wound therapy (CiNPWT) upon rate of SSI and length of hospital stay. METHODS: This study was reported in line with the STROBE guidelines. We assessed the baseline incidence of SSI from a 12-month retrospective cohort and, following a change in practice intervention with CiNPWT, compared to a 6-month prospective cohort. The primary endpoint was incidence of SSI (according to CDC-NHSN guidelines) while secondary endpoints included length of hospital stay, readmission, reintervention and Days Alive and Out of Hospital (DAOH) to 90-days. RESULTS: A total of 127 groin incisions were performed: 76 (65 patients) within the retrospective analysis and 51 (42 patients) within the prospective analysis (of whom 69% received CiNPWT). The primary endpoint of SSI was seen in 21.1% of the retrospective cohort and 9.8% of the prospective cohort (p = .099). Readmission was found to be significantly associated with the retrospective cohort (p = .016) while total admission (inclusive of re-admission) was significantly longer in those in the retrospective cohort (p = .013). DAOH-90 was 83 days (77-85) following introduction of the CiNPWT protocol as compared to the retrospective cohort (77 days (64-83), p = .04). CONCLUSION: Introduction of CiNPWT was associated with a reduced length of hospital stay and improved DAOH-90. Further trials on CINPWT should include patient-centred outcomes and healthcare cost analysis.

Systematic review of groin wound surgical site infection incidence after arterial intervention.

The objectives were to determine the surgical site infection incidence (including superficial/deep) fter arterial intervention through non-infected groin incisions and identify variables associated with incidence. MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases were searched for randomised controlled trials and observational studies of adults undergoing arterial intervention through a groin incision and reported surgical site infection. Infection incidence was examined in subgroups, variables were subjected to meta-regression. One hundred seventeen studies reporting 65 138 groin incisions in 42 347 patients were included. Overall surgical site infection incidence per incision was 8.1% (1730/21 431): 6.3% (804/12 786) were superficial and 1.9% (241/12 863) were deep. Superficial infection incidence was higher in randomised controlled trials (15.8% [278/1762]) compared with observational studies (4.8% [526/11 024]); deep infection incidence was similar (1.7% (30/1762) and 1.9% (211/11 101) respectively). Aneurysmal pathology (ß = -10.229, P < .001) and retrospective observational design (ß = -1.118, P = .002) were associated with lower infection incidence. Surgical site infection being a primary outcome was associated with a higher incidence of surgical site infections (ß = 3.429, P = .017). The three-fold higher incidence of superficial surgical site infection reported in randomised controlled trials may be because of a more robust clinical review of patients. These results should be considered when benchmarking practice and could inform future trial design.

A vascular multi-arm multi-stage trial to prevent groin wound surgical site infection: A feasibility survey.

Surgical site infection (SSI) is common following arterial surgery involving a groin incision. There is a lack of evidence regarding interventions to prevent groin wound SSI, therefore, a survey of vascular clinicians was undertaken to assess current opinion and practice, equipoise and feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Participants at the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting were surveyed regarding three separate interventions designed to prevent SSI in the groin; impregnated incise drapes, diakylcarbomoyl chloride dressings and antibiotic impregnated collagen sponges. Results were collated via an online survey using the Research Electronic Data Capture platform. Seventy-five participants completed the questionnaire, most were consultant vascular surgeons (50/75, 66.7%). The majority agree that groin wound SSI is a major problem (73/75, 97.3%), and would be content using either of the three interventions (51/61, 83.6%) and had clinical equipoise to randomise patients to any of the three interventions versus standard of care (70/75, 93.3%). There was some reluctance to not use impregnated incise drapes as may be considered "standard of care". Groin wound SSI is perceived as major problem in vascular surgery, and a multicentre RCT of three preventative interventions appears acceptable to vascular surgeons.

Short-term risk prediction after major lower limb amputation: PERCEIVE study.

BACKGROUND: The accuracy with which healthcare professionals (HCPs) and risk prediction tools predict outcomes after major lower limb amputation (MLLA) is uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of predicting short-term (30 days after MLLA) mortality, morbidity, and revisional surgery. METHODS: The PERCEIVE (PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcomE following major lower limb amputation: a collaboratIVE) study was launched on 1 October 2020. It was an international multicentre study, including adults undergoing MLLA for complications of peripheral arterial disease and/or diabetes. Preoperative predictions of 30-day mortality, morbidity, and MLLA revision by surgeons and anaesthetists were recorded. Probabilities from relevant risk prediction tools were calculated. Evaluation of accuracy included measures of discrimination, calibration, and overall performance. RESULTS: Some 537 patients were included. HCPs had acceptable discrimination in predicting mortality (931 predictions; C-statistic 0.758) and MLLA revision (565 predictions; C-statistic 0.756), but were poor at predicting morbidity (980 predictions; C-statistic 0.616). They overpredicted the risk of all outcomes. All except three risk prediction tools had worse discrimination than HCPs for predicting mortality (C-statistics 0.789, 0.774, and 0.773); two of these significantly overestimated the risk compared with HCPs. SORT version 2 (the only tool incorporating HCP predictions) demonstrated better calibration and overall performance (Brier score 0.082) than HCPs. Tools predicting morbidity and MLLA revision had poor discrimination (C-statistics 0.520 and 0.679). CONCLUSION: Clinicians predicted mortality and MLLA revision well, but predicted morbidity poorly. They overestimated the risk of mortality, morbidity, and MLLA revision. Most short-term risk prediction tools had poorer discrimination or calibration than HCPs. The best method of predicting mortality was a statistical tool that incorporated HCP estimation.

HSP25 Vaccination Attenuates Atherogenesis via Upregulation of LDLR Expression, Lowering of PCSK9 Levels and Curbing of Inflammation.

[Figure: see text].

The PReliMinAry (Pain Relief in Major Amputation) Survey.

OBJECTIVES: Major Lower Limb Amputation (MLLA) is associated with significant peri- and post-operative pain and has been identified as a research priority by patient and healthcare groups. The PReliMinAry survey was designed to evaluate existing MLLA analgesia strategies; identifying areas of equipoise and informing future research. METHODS: A targeted multi-national, multi-disciplinary survey was conducted via SurveyMonkey® (October 5, 2020-November 3, 2020) and advertised via social media and society email lists. The 10-questions explored 'pain-team' services, pre-operative neuroleptic medication, pre-incision peripheral nerve blocks and catheters, surgically placed nerve catheters, post-operative adjunctive regimens, future research engagement and equipoise. RESULTS: Seventy-six responses were received from 60 hospitals worldwide. Twelve hospitals(20%) had a dedicated MLLA pain team, 7(12%) had none. Most pain teams (n = 52; 87%) assessed pain with a 0-10 numerical rating scale. Over half of respondents "never" preloaded patients with oral neuroleptic agents(n= 42/76; 55%). Forty-seven hospitals(78%) utilized patient controlled opioid analgesia. Most hospitals are able to provide pre-incision loco-regional peripheral nerve blocks, nerve catheters and surgical nerve catheters (95%, 77%, and 90% respectively), but use was variable. Ultrasound(US) guided peripheral nerve catheters were "infrequently" or "never" used in 57% of hospitals, whilst 23% "infrequently" or "never" utilize surgically placed nerve catheters. CONCLUSIONS: The survey revealed a preference towards 'single-shot' nerve blocks and surgical catheters. A difference between the use of US guided nerve catheters and those surgically placed likely reflects the difference of literature evaluating these techniques. Most respondents felt there was equipoise surrounding future trials evaluating nerve blocks/catheters, but less so for surgical catheters.

Groin Wound Infection after Vascular Exposure (GIVE) Risk Prediction Models: Development, Internal Validation, and Comparison with Existing Risk Prediction Models Identified in a Systematic Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and internally validate risk prediction models for predicting groin wound surgical site infections (SSIs) following arterial intervention and to evaluate the utility of existing risk prediction models for this outcome. METHODS: Data from the Groin wound Infection after Vascular Exposure (GIVE) multicentre cohort study were used. The GIVE study prospectively enrolled 1 039 consecutive patients undergoing an arterial procedure through 1 339 groin incisions. An overall SSI rate of 8.6% per groin incision, and a deep/organ space SSI rate of 3.8%, were reported. Eight independent predictors of all SSIs, and four independent predictors of deep/organ space SSIs were included in the development and internal validation of two risk prediction models. A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify relevant risk prediction models for their evaluation. RESULTS: The "GIVE SSI risk prediction model" ("GIVE SSI model") and the "GIVE deep/organ space SSI risk prediction model" ("deep SSI model") had adequate discrimination (C statistic 0.735 and 0.720, respectively). Three other groin incision SSI risk prediction models were identified; both GIVE risk prediction models significantly outperformed these other risk models in this cohort (C statistic 0.618 - 0.629; p < .050 for inferior discrimination in all cases). CONCLUSION: Two models were created and internally validated that performed acceptably in predicting "all" and "deep" groin SSIs, outperforming current existing risk prediction models in this cohort. Future studies should aim to externally validate the GIVE models.

A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Risk Prediction Tools Used to Estimate Mortality, Morbidity, and Other Outcomes Following Major Lower Limb Amputation.

OBJECTIVE: The decision to undertake a major lower limb amputation can be complex. This review evaluates the performance of risk prediction tools in estimating mortality, morbidity, and other outcomes following amputation. METHODS: A systematic review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched to identify studies reporting on risk prediction tools that predict outcomes following amputation. Outcome measures included the accuracy of the risk tool in predicting a range of post-operative complications, including mortality (both short and long term), peri-operative morbidity, need for re-amputation, and ambulation success. A narrative synthesis was performed in accordance with the Guidance on the Conduct of Narrative Synthesis In Systematic Reviews. RESULTS: The search identified 518 database records. Twelve observational studies, evaluating 13 risk prediction tools in a total cohort of 61 099 amputations, were included. One study performed external validation of an existing risk prediction tool, while all other studies developed novel tools or modified pre-existing generic calculators. Two studies conducted external validation of the novel/modified tools. Nine tools provided risk estimations for mortality, two tools provided predictions for post-operative morbidity, two for likelihood of ambulation, and one for re-amputation to the same or higher level. Most mortality prediction tools demonstrated acceptable discrimination performance with C statistic values ranging from 0.65 to 0.81. Tools estimating the risk of post-operative complications (0.65 - 0.74) and necessity for re-amputation (0.72) also performed acceptably. The Blatchford Allman Russell tool demonstrated outstanding discrimination for predicting functional mobility outcomes post-amputation (0.94). Overall, most studies were at high risk of bias with poor external validity. CONCLUSION: This review identified several risk prediction tools that demonstrate acceptable to outstanding discrimination for objectively predicting an array of important post-operative outcomes. However, the methodological quality of some studies was poor, external validation studies are generally lacking, and there are no tools predicting other important outcomes, especially quality of life.

Editor's Choice - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Wound Adjuncts for the Prevention of Groin Wound Surgical Site Infection in Arterial Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Groin incision surgical site infections (SSIs) following arterial surgery are common and are a source of considerable morbidity. This review evaluates interventions and adjuncts delivered immediately before, during, or after skin closure, to prevent SSIs in patients undergoing arterial interventions involving a groin incision. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were searched. REVIEW METHODS: This review was undertaken according to established international reporting guidelines and was registered prospectively with the International prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42020185170). The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were searched using pre-defined search terms without date restriction. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies recruiting patients with non-infected groin incisions for arterial exposure were included; SSI rates and other outcomes were captured. Interventions reported in two or more studies were subjected to meta-analysis. RESULTS: The search identified 1 532 articles. Seventeen RCTs and seven observational studies, reporting on 3 747 patients undergoing 4 130 groin incisions were included. A total of seven interventions and nine outcomes were reported upon. Prophylactic closed incision negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) reduced groin SSIs compared with standard dressings (odds ratio [OR] 0.34, 95% CI 0.23 - 0.51; p < .001, GRADE strength of evidence: moderate). Local antibiotics did not reduce groin SSIs (OR 0.60 95% CI 0.30 - 1.21 p = .15, GRADE strength: low). Subcuticular sutures (vs. transdermal sutures or clips) reduced groin SSI rates (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.17 - 0.65, p = .001, GRADE strength: low). Wound drains, platelet rich plasma, fibrin glue, and silver alginate dressings did not show any significant effect on SSI rates. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that ciNPWT and subcuticular sutures reduce groin SSI in patients undergoing arterial vascular interventions involving a groin incision. Local antibiotics did not reduce groin wound SSI, although the strength of this evidence is lower. No other interventions demonstrated a significant effect.

Early and Long Term Outcomes Following Long Posterior Flap vs. Skew Flap for Below Knee Amputations.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes between long posterior flap (LPF) and skew flap (SF) amputation over a 13 year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study. Consecutive patients undergoing a LPF or SF below knee amputation (BKA) over a 13 year period at one hospital were identified. Both techniques were performed regularly, depending on tissue loss and surgeon preference. The primary outcome was surgical revision of any kind. Secondary outcomes included revision to above knee amputation (AKA), length of hospital stay (LOS), and mortality. A smaller cohort of patients who were alive and unilateral below knee amputees were contacted to ascertain prosthetic use and functional status. RESULTS: In total, 242 BKAs were performed in 212 patients (125 LPF and 117 SF; median follow up 25.8 months). Outcomes for the two groups were equivalent for surgical revision of any kind (27 LPF vs. 31 SF; p = .37), revision to an AKA (18 LPF vs. 14 SF; p = .58), LOS (29 days for LPF vs. 28 days for SF; p = .83), and median survival (23.9 months for LPF vs. 28.8 months for SF; p = .89). Multivariable analysis found amputation type had no effect on any outcome. Functional scores from a smaller cohort of 40 unilateral amputees who were contactable demonstrated improved outcomes with the LPF vs. the SF (p = .038). CONCLUSION: Both techniques appear equivalent for rates of surgical residual limb failure. Functional outcomes may be better with the LPF.