Are Transmetatarsal Amputations a Durable Limb Salvage Option? A Single-Institution Descriptive Analysis.

In limb and life-threatening diabetic foot infections, transmetatarsal amputations are often indicated as a limb salvage procedure. The aim of this study is to analyze the long-term durability of initially successful transmetatarsal amputations in the diabetic population. We defined a successful transmetatarsal amputation as one which had clinical healing 1 year after surgery. A retrospective review of transmetatarsal amputations completed at our institution over an 11-year period was performed. We identified 83 amputations that met inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 4 years. The mean time to surgical healing was 109.8 days. After successfully healing the transmetatarsal amputation the long-term outcomes were analyzed. Re-ulcerations occurred in 44% of the transmetatarsal amputations a mean of 15 months after surgical healing. Patients who re-ulcerated were noted to be significantly younger (p value 0.02) with a significantly higher preprocedure hemoglobin A1c (p value < .001). Additional procedures after successful healing included 13 (15.66%) revision surgeries and 12 (14.46%) more proximal amputations. While transmetatarsal amputations remain a viable and durable limb preserving surgery, all patients who have undergone a transmetatarsal amputation should be monitored lifelong as they remain at risk for re-ulceration and more proximal amputation.

The Clinical Presentation of Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis: A Case Series from Yetebon, Ethiopia.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis is a chronic fungal infection usually found on the lower extremity and feet of agricultural workers in the tropics. It can present with various skin manifestations, verrucous to nodular plaques, and is caused by multiple species of fungi. Laboratory confirmation requires skin samples for pathology and fungal cultures. Cure, often difficult in resource-poor countries, requires months of antifungal therapy. We describe the cases of three men from Ethiopia who were seen and are being treated by American doctors who traveled there on a medical mission.

Catastrophic Failure of an Infected Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair Managed with Combined Flexor Hallucis Longus and Peroneus Brevis Tendon Transfer.

Deep infection is one of the most devastating complications following repair of an Achilles tendon rupture. Treatment requires not only culture-driven antibiotic therapy, but more importantly, appropriate débridement of some or even all of the Achilles tendon. This may necessitate delayed reconstruction of the Achilles tendon. The authors present a successful case of reconstruction of a chronically infected Achilles tendon in an otherwise healthy 43-year-old man via a multistaged approach using the flexor hallucis longus and peroneus brevis tendons. We also provide a brief review of the literature regarding local tendon transfer used in the reconstruction of Achilles tendon rupture.

Incidence of Complications During the Surgeon Learning Curve Period for Primary Total Ankle Replacement: A Systematic Review.

Surgeons performing primary total ankle replacement have achieved outcomes comparable to ankle arthrodesis. However, while many reports exist suggesting the presence of a surgeon learning curve period during initial performance of primary total ankle replacement, no published analysis of the actual incidence of complications encountered during this period exists. Therefore, we sought to provide such an analysis through systematic review. A total of 2453 primary total ankle replacements with 1085 complications (44.2%) were identified. Our results revealed conflicting data whether an acceptably low incidence of high-grade complications leading to total ankle replacement failure exists during the surgeon learning curve period.

Management of Osseous and Soft-Tissue Ankle Equinus During Total Ankle Replacement.

Obtaining functional alignment of a total ankle replacement, including physiologic sagittal plane range of motion, is paramount for a successful outcome. This article reviews the literature on techniques available for correction of osseous and soft-tissue equinus at the time of index total ankle replacement. These techniques include anterior tibiotalar joint cheilectomy, posterior superficial muscle compartment lengthening, posterior ankle capsule release, and release of the posterior portions of the medial and lateral collateral ligament complexes. The rationale for these procedures and the operative sequence of events for these procedures are presented.

Incidence of Complications During Initial Experience with Revision of the Agility and Agility LP Total Ankle Replacement Systems: A Single Surgeon's Learning Curve Experience.

As the frequency in which foot and ankle surgeons are performing primary total ankle replacement (TAR) continues to build, revision TAR will likely become more commonplace, creating a need for an established benchmark by which to evaluate the safety of revision TAR as determined by the incidence of complications. Currently, no published data exist on the incidence of intraoperative and early postoperative complications during revision of the Agility or Agility LP Total Ankle Replacement Systems during the surgeon learning curve period; therefore, the authors sought to determine this incidence during the senior author's learning curve period.

Safety of ankle arthroscopy for the treatment of anterolateral soft-tissue impingement.

PURPOSE: To quantify the overall incidence of complications related to arthroscopic treatment of anterolateral soft-tissue ankle impingement. METHODS: Electronic databases and relevant peer-reviewed sources, including OvidSP/Medline (http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com) and Google Scholar, were systematically searched for the terms "anterolateral" AND "ankle" AND "impingement" OR "soft-tissue impingement" AND "arthroscopy." In addition, we manually searched common American and European (including British) orthopaedic and podiatric scientific literature for relevant articles. Studies were eligible for inclusion only if they included the following: a standard 2-portal anterior arthroscopic approach, a minimum mean follow-up of 12 months, and detailed descriptions of all complications encountered. RESULTS: After we considered all the potentially eligible articles, 15 (28.8%) met our inclusion criteria for the study. There were a total of 396 patients (397 ankles), with 16 total complications (4%), 3 (0.8%) of which were major. The weighted mean patient age was 31.2 years, and the weighted mean follow-up was 33.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this systematic review showed an overall incidence of complications of 4%. The complications were categorically divided into major and minor complications, with a very low incidence of major complications (0.8%) and an acceptably low incidence of minor complications (3.3%). On the basis of these findings, arthroscopic treatment of anterolateral ankle soft-tissue impingement is a very safe procedure when indicated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies.

Outcomes and safety of endoscopic tarsal tunnel decompression: a systematic review.

Open surgical decompression of the tarsal tunnel is the standard surgical approach for compression of the tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel. Complications associated with this approach can be significant and periods of non-weight bearing are required. An alternative approach allowing for minimal soft tissue trauma and reduced time to ambulation is therefore desirable. Endoscopic tarsal tunnel decompression may provide such an alternative. The authors performed a systematic review of electronic databases and other relevant sources to identify material regarding the safety of endoscopic tarsal tunnel decompression. Only articles that included clear information concerning the safety of endoscopic tarsal tunnel decompression with a follow-up of at least 12 months were included. Three studies were identified involving 37 feet, with a weighted mean follow-up of 27 months. There were no permanent complications relating to iatrogenic nerve injury, deep infection, or prolonged wound healing problems documented despite initiating ambulation within one week of surgery. Two patients (5.6%) developed recurrence more than 2 years postoperative and one (2.7%) showed no improvement. Endoscopic tarsal tunnel decompression is a safe procedure with a low rate of recurrence or failure and allows for near-immediate ambulation. However, additional prospective investigations comparing open and endoscopic approaches to tarsal tunnel decompression are warranted.