Lower limb re-vascularization based on the angiosome concept with immediate-early local flap reconstruction: a case report.

Lower extremity wounds are a healthcare issue that can result in debilitating consequences. Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) being a major contributing factor to the disease, advance revascularization procedures (Angioplasty) based on the angiosome concept has been established in the literature to improve blood supply and promote better healing outcomes. We present a case of a 59-year-old lady with background of hypertension, diabetes and PAOD, was diagnosed with a non-healing foot wound with exposed metal implant. She had targeted angioplasty done based on angiosome concept followed by early local flap reconstruction for coverage, which healed well without complications. Although free tissue transfer has now been the mainstay for lower limb reconstruction with the advancement in microsurgery. Local flaps remain in the armamentarium of lower extremity reconstruction with small to medium sized wound defects. This case demonstrates the advantage of proceeding with immediate-early local flap reconstruction following successful targeted re-vascularization.

Are salvage techniques safe and effective in the treatment of peritoneal dialysis catheter-related exit-site and tunnel infections? A systematic review and description of the authors' preferred technique.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC)-related infections account for significant morbidity, PD disruptions and costs. Patients with refractory exit-site or tunnel track infections without peritonitis may need catheter removal and reinsertion which can be complicated by bleeding, organ injury, catheter failure or malposition. Some patients may need to switch to haemodialysis in such a setting. An alternative is a salvage procedure. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of salvage techniques. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline and Scopus databases was performed from inception to December 2021 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. After a broad search, articles were stratified into two main categories for assessment: (1) cuff-shaving (CS) techniques and its variations of en-bloc resection (BR) and/or catheter diversion (CD) and (2) partial reimplantation with CD. RESULTS: A total of 409 patients (445 salvage procedures) from 20 studies were included in analysis. Of 409 patients, 234 patients (57.2%) underwent 251 (56.4%) CS procedures and its variations, 163 patients (39.9%) underwent 182 (40.9%) partial PDC reimplantations with CD and 12 patients (2.7%) underwent local curettage. Overall PDC salvage rate after intervention was 73.2%. Overall PDC removal rate attributable to infection was 26.8%. Overall complication rate attributable to the procedures was 2.7%, with the most common complication being dialysate leakage (n = 10) followed by PDC laceration (n = 1) and subcutaneous haematoma (n = 1). We also included a description of our technique of BR of infected tissue, CS and CD. In a series of six patients, the PDC salvage rate was 83.3% and median PDC survival after intervention was 10 months. CONCLUSION: PDC salvage techniques are relatively safe and provide reasonable catheter salvage rates in selected patients. Results of this review should lend weight to consideration of a salvage-first approach as an option in selected patients.

Early results of an Asian prospective multicenter VenaSeal real-world postmarket evaluation to investigate the efficacy and safety of cyanoacrylate endovenous ablation for varicose veins.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of A Singapore VenaSeal Real-World Post-Market Evaluation Study (ASVS) was to evaluate the performance of cyanoacrylate closure (CAC) for varicose veins in a prospective multiracial Singaporean Asian cohort. We report early clinical and patient satisfaction outcomes at 3 months after intervention. METHODS: There were 100 patients (151 legs; 156 truncal veins) who underwent CAC between April and December 2018. Of the 151 legs, 49 (32.5%) were treated for great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence, 96 (63.6%) for bilateral GSV incompetence, 1 (0.7%) for small saphenous vein (SSV) incompetence, and 5 (3.3%) for combined unilateral GSV and SSV reflux. At baseline, 68 legs (45.0%) had C4 to C6 disease, and 67 legs (44.4%) had concomitant multiple stab avulsions. Patients were reviewed at 2 and 12 weeks by duplex ultrasound to check for venous recanalization (defined as ≥5 cm in length), pain score, revised Venous Clinical Severity Score, EuroQol-5 Dimension questionnaire score, Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire score, 14-item Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ-14) for quality of life measures, and patient satisfaction. Time to return to work and normal activities were also recorded. RESULTS: There were 59 female patients, and mean age was 60.1 ± 12.7 years. There was 100% technical success. Patients tolerated the procedure well and reported low periprocedural pain (mean pain score, 2.9 [range, 0-9]). Patient surveys at the 3-month interval showed high satisfaction rates, with 72 of 91 (79.1%) being extremely or very satisfied. By day 10, of 100 patients, 93 (93%) resumed daily activities, whereas 36 (36%) had returned to work. At 2 weeks, GSV and SSV were completely occluded in 150 of 150 (100%) and 6 of 6 (100%) veins, respectively. At 3 months, GSV and SSV occlusion rates were 140 of 141 (99.3%) and 6 of 6 (100%), respectively. Transient superficial phlebitis was reported in 27 of 151 (18 %) legs, which was self-limited. At 3 months, revised Venous Clinical Severity Score improved from 5.00 (range, 1.00-18.00) to 1.00 (0.00-10.00; P < .001); EuroQol-5 Dimension score, from 0.686 (-0.382 to 1.00) to 1.00 (0.12-1.00; P < .001); Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire score, from 17.14 (1.29-61.15) to 4.83 (0.00-57.12; P < .001); and 14-item Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire, from 19.64 (1.79-73.21) to 7.14 (0.00-51.79; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: CAC has a high safety profile and is an effective way to block refluxing truncal veins in Asian patients at early follow-up. Patients are highly satisfied and report low postoperative pain. There is significant continued quality of life improvement at 3 months. Early results are encouraging, but we await further prospective long-term follow-up from the study.

Utility of a novel high pressure non-compliant balloon for tibial atherosclerotic lesions in Asian patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia.

Background: The aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a high pressure, non-compliant balloon in the treatment of infrapopliteal occlusive disease in Asian patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI) from Singapore. Patients and methods: Prospective, multi-centre, single arm, non-randomized study. Immediate technical success, 6-month primary vessel patency (determined by Duplex ultrasonography), limb salvage, one-year clinically driven target lesion re-intervention (TLR) and amputation free survival (AFS) were the efficacy endpoints of interest. Results: 86 patients (63% males, mean age 68.9 ± 9.9 years) were enrolled over a 15-month period. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and end-stage renal failure (ESRF) were present in 94% and 38% of patients respectively. All had some degree of tissue loss at baseline (Rutherford scale 5 and 6 = 91% and 9% respectively). Of the 86 legs, 72% had 3 crural vessel disease and 84% had moderate/severe vessel wall calcification. 90% had > = 1 TASC D tibial lesion. Acute technical success was 89%. One month mortality was 3.5% and one-year freedom from TLR was 91%. 6-month tibial patency was 73%. 54/66 (82%) patients had at least one target treated tibial artery open at 6 months. A lower baseline toe pressure (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.00-1.05) and elastic recoil post angioplasty (OR 0.20, 95%CI 0.05-0.79) were associated with a worse 6 month tibial patency. One-year AFS was 67%. 47/66 (71%) patients had a clinical improvement of at least one Rutherford class at 6 months and 52/59 (88%) experienced complete wound healing at 12 months. Conclusions: Use of a high pressure non-compliant balloon is safe and efficacious in treating highly complex infra-popliteal atherosclerotic lesions in an otherwise challenging population of CLTI patients with a high incidence of DM and ESRF. It is associated with highly satisfactory acute technical success, 6-month target lesion patency and one-year limb salvage.