Icing the Pain-Ultrasound-Guided Cryoablation of Symptomatic Post-Amputation Stump Neuroma.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and outcome of ultrasound-guided cryoablation in patients with a sensitized stump neuroma after limb amputation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven patients (3 females, 4 males; mean age 42 years) were included in this retrospective study. Ultrasound-guided cryoablation of a previously identified painful stump neuroma was performed. Pain was assessed on the visual analogue scale (VAS) and compared before and after cryoablation (Wilcoxon Test). The degree of pain alleviation was correlated with patient age, duration of pain before ablation and time interval between amputation and ablation (Spearman correlation). A p-value less than 0.05 was deemed statistically significant. RESULTS: Nine cryoablations were performed for 8 neuromas. Technical success was 100%, there were no major complications. Mean follow-up was 27 months. There was a statistically significant decrease of pain from mean 8.3 / 10 (baseline) to 4 /10 (on day one), 2.1 / 10 (at one week) and 3 / 10 (at last follow-up) (p < 0.05). Patient satisfaction with cryoablation treatment was very high (median score 70 / 100). CONCLUSION: In our small population observational study, ultrasound-guided cryoablation of a sensitized stump neuroma was effective and safe for pain alleviation with very good long-term results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2, Observational study with dramatic effect.

[The endo-exo prosthesis treatment concept : Improvement in quality of life after limb amputation]. / Das Endo-Exo-Prothesen-Versorgungskonzept : Verbesserung der Lebensqualität nach Extremitätenamputation.

Osseointegrated, percutaneous implants as the force bearer for exoprosthetics after limb amputation have been used in individual cases for clinical rehabilitation of amputees during the past years. Most experience in this field in Germany has been accumulated at the Sana Klinik in Lübeck with the so-called endo-exo prosthesis (EEP) system. The two-step implantation procedure can now be considered as reliable. Following a well-documented learning curve initial soft tissue problems concerning the cutaneous stoma can now be regarded as exceptions. The retrospective examination of the results concerning by now more than 100 patients provided with an endo-exo femoral prosthesis (EEFP) showed a very satisfying outcome concerning objective as well as subjective values, such as duration of daily use and wearing comfort of the exoprosthesis. Regaining the ability of osseoperception due to the intraosseous fixation is described by the patients as a great advantage. The step from a socket prosthesis to an EEP is felt to be a big increase in quality of life by nearly all patients included into the follow-up. Nearly all of the patients questioned would choose an endo-exo prosthesis again. Meanwhile, the success of the EEP resulted in the broadening of indications from above-knee amputations to transtibial as well as transhumeral amputations. The results are likewise encouraging. The use of EEP for the upper limbs leads to substantial improvement in the range of motion of the shoulder joint with the intramedullary anchored percutaneous implant. Furthermore, new pathbreaking possibilities in the fixation of myoelectrically controlled arm prostheses may arise from the EEP technique.

[Endo-exo prostheses : Osseointegrated percutaneously channeled implants for rehabilitation after limb amputation]. / Endo-Exo-Prothesen : Osseointegrierte, perkutan ausgeleitete Implantate zur Rehabilitation nach Gliedmaßenamputation.

BACKGROUND: In 1999 the first endo-exo femoral prosthesis (EEFP) was implanted in Germany in a patient who had suffered a traumatic above-knee amputation. This procedure involves a skeletally anchored exoprosthetic device that is inserted into the residual femur. The distal part of the implant protrudes transcutaneously and allows attachment to a prosthetic limb which provides direct force transmission to the external prosthetic components. The technique originated from dental implantology and helps to avoid possible problems resulting from treatment of amputated limbs using socket prostheses. In the meantime, durability times of over 10 years have now helped to invalidate the initially well-founded reservations held against the procedure. OBJECTIVE: What advantages can be achieved by osseointegrated and percutaneously channeled prostheses and which problems had to be overcome for treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Critical evaluation of data from patients operated on in Lübeck, Germany from January 2003 to December 2014. RESULTS: With osseointegrated and percutaneously channeled prostheses permanent durability times can be achieved. Infection-associated soft tissue problems at the site of skin protrusion (stoma) can be successfully prevented. The creation of this so-called stoma means acceptance of a possible bacterial portal of entry into the body. Patient satisfaction has so far been high, postoperative rehabilitation is simplified and the technique could possibly lower the costs of medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Endo-exo prostheses have proved to be successful for more than 15 years. A critical appraisal of the indications as well as a close cooperation between the surgeon, orthopedic technician and the associated rehabilitation facilities with the patient are the basis for the long-term success of this relatively new treatment approach.

[Endo-exo prostheses following limb-amputation]. / Endo-Exo-Prothesen nach Gliedmaßenamputation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rehabilitation of patients having undergone limb amputation is difficult due to problems related to poor socket fit, which often deteriorates comfort, gait and the ability to take part in everyday life and work. The endo-exo prosthesis has been an alternative provision for people having undergone lower limb amputation for reasons other than diabetes or peripheral vascular disease for more than 10 years. The system consists of an intramedullar, osseointegrated and skin perforating prosthesis, which is implanted in the remaining bone and has an abutment to allow the attachment of the external prosthetic part including the knee joint in the case of a trans-femoral amputation. The idea originates in findings of modern tooth-implantology and involves a two-step operation. This study focuses on one centre's experience with the endo-exo prostheses in Lübeck, Germany, to describe and discuss the reliability of this alternative treatment method after lower limb amputation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This article presents the results of lower limb amputees operated on in Lübeck, Germany between 1999-2013. It focuses on theoretical aspects of osseointegration and different clinically-based findings using the endo-exo technique over the last decade. RESULTS: 74 lower-limb amputees were treated with an endo-exo prosthesis until December 2013. There were only 4 verified intramedullar infections, yet there were many unplanned surgical revisions secondary to soft-tissue infections in the beginning. They were successfully encountered via clinically-based changes that were made concerning implant design, wound treatment and operative technique. CONCLUSIONS: Since 1990 a few groups have developed an innovative method that provides an alternative to traditional socket-type prostheses. This involves a skeletally anchored device that is inserted into the remaining stump and provides osseointegration into the bone. The distal part of the implant protrudes transcutaneously and allows attachment to a prosthetic limb. This creates a hard point where the forces are transmitted through the skeleton with a more physiological pathway because the bone becomes the force carrier again, closer in biomechanics to an able-bodied person. With long-term numbers that show successful osseointegration for more than 10 years it is evident that obligate bacterial colonization does not necessarily lead to an intramedullar infection. Especially short stumps that are difficult to treat with a socket can be successfully fitted with an endo-exo prosthesis. Amputees who would otherwise be bound to a wheelchair due to their challenging situation should specifically be regarded as potential profiteers of this novel treatment option.

[Evaluation of 10 years experience with endo-exo femur prostheses - background, data and results]. / 10 Jahre Endo-Exo-Femurprothetik zur Rehabilitation nach Oberschenkelamputation - Daten, Fakten und Ergebnisse.

Between 1999 and 2011 the Endo-Exo femur prosthesis has been applied to 54 patients. This comparatively new method for patient rehabilitation after upper leg amputation includes a two-step surgical procedure. The first step is an operation where the endomodule of the stem prosthesis is implanted in the bone via a press-fit technique. Then the soft tissue coat is closed to give the bone enough time for a secure osseointegration of the prosthesis. About six weeks later a stoma is cut out and the adapter for the exo-part is connected. The prosthesis is therefore intramedullary anchored and percutaneously penetrating the skin. A critical examination of this procedure has to put its main attention to the latent danger of an ascending, intramedullary infection. This may arise from the skin-penetrating stoma region at the distal stump. All data derived from patients operated in Lübeck, Germany have been evaluated focusing on reasons for objectionable operative procedures and their resulting terms of treatment. The evaluation shows that the initially high rate of stoma-associated infections of the soft tissue coat could be dramatically reduced through a change of design of the skin-penetrating parts. In between January 2009 and December 2011 (altogether 24 implants/23 patients) no operative revisions had to be undertaken because of infections of the stoma. Next to this there are more characteristics conditionally caused by the implant - like fractures of the affected extremity and other complications - presented in terms of cause-related case histories.

[Implantation of the endo-exo femur prosthesis to improve the mobility of amputees]. / Implantation der Endo-Exo-Femurprothese zur Verbesserung der Mobilität amputierter Patienten.

OBJECTIVE: Improvement of function following above-knee amputation with an osseointegrated, transcutaneous femoral implant as a hard point for the exo prosthesis, the so-called endo-exo femur prosthesis (EEFP). INDICATIONS: Above knee amputation following trauma, tumor, or infection. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Diabetes, PAOD, psychiatric diseases, use of chemotherapeutic or corticosteroid medication, nonconcluded bone growth, lack of compliance, and florid infection at the time of implantation. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Performed as a two-step procedure: Stage 1 (implantation): sharp dissection of the end of the residual bone, adequate access to the intramedullar canal, cortical reaming using curettes and a flexible drill followed by cement-free, press-fit implantation of the endoprosthesis itself, closing of the soft tissue coat of the femur stump to reduce the risk of infection, assurance of primary and secondary stability via the metal spongiosa-like surface of the implant (Spongiosa Metal 2®). Stage 2 (exteriorization): 6 weeks postoperatively, opening of the skin at the distal point of the femur stump, the soft tissue between the skin and endoprosthesis is then removed and the double conus and the connecting adapter for the exoprothesis is attached. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Ascending weight bearing depending on bone quality. On average, full weight bearing can be achieved 8-10 weeks after stage 1 surgery. RESULTS: The first endo-exo femur prosthesis (EEFP) was implanted in 1999. Through December 2009, 39 cases were operated in Lübeck, early serosanguinous drainage, soft tissue problems at the stoma, and ascending infections after mobilization of the patients could be minimized by further development of the design of the EEFP. Intramedullary infections were the exception (1 of 39 patients). A total of 4 explantations had to be performed (3 due to infection and 1 due to prosthetic failure). Two of those patients were again provided with an EEFP. Overall, the EEFP improved the gait pattern because of the bone-guided transmission of muscle power, increased osseoperception, and improved economical energy balance. Of the 39 patients, 37 said that they would again undergo operation.

[Endo-exo femoral prosthesis: clinical course after primary implantation of an intramedullary percutaneous endo-exo femoral prosthesis following upper leg amputation]. / Die Endo-Exo-Femurprothese: Klinischer Verlauf nach Erstimplantation einer intramedullären, perkutan ausgeleiteten Femurprothese nach Oberschenkelamputation.

Because of insufficient soft-tissue conditions and variability in the size and mechanical friction of the stump treatment of upper leg amputees with an ordinary prosthesis might be difficult or even impossible. Alternatively, for such patients an endo-exo femoral prosthesis (EEFP) is sometimes the best treatment option. The use of EEFPs will be demonstrated as exemplified by the clinical course in a patient with a primary EEFP implantation including all relevant side-effects and associated problems.

[The endo-exo femur prosthesis--a new concept of bone-guided, prosthetic rehabilitation following above-knee amputation]. / Die Endo-Exo-Femurprothese--ein neues Konzept zur knochengeführten, prothetischen Versorgung von oberschenkelamputierten Patienten.

AIM: The implantation of an intramedullary transcutaneously conducted femur prosthesis presents a rather new procedure for the rehabilitation of above-knee amputated patients. The aim of the so-called endo-exo prosthesis is to avoid the well-known problems at the interface between the sleeve of the prosthesis and the soft tissue coat of the femur stump which often impedes an inconspicuous and harmonic gait. METHOD: The company ERSKA Implants in Lübeck/Germany has developed an intramedullary femur prosthesis with a spongiosa metal-configurated relief surface which, when implanted cementless, enables a secure osseointegration and allows a more direct transmission of muscle power to the lower leg prosthesis. A minimum length of 16-18 cm and a sufficient soft tissue coverage of the femur stump is needed. The problems at the perforation point of the implant through the soft tissue coat can be handled or even be avoided and they do not necessarily provoke an intramedullary infection. RESULTS: We report on 30 cases that were operated between 1999 and 2008. The design of the prosthesis, aspects of the operative procedure and latest results are presented.

Including the platysma muscle in a cervicofacial skin rotation flap to enhance blood supply for reconstruction of vast orbital and cheek defects: anatomical considerations and surgical technique.

The surgical technique introduced in this work describes a modification of the rotation skin flap that includes the platysma muscle in order to improve the blood supply of the flap. This modified rotation flap enables sufficient reconstruction of extended regions following ablative surgery of the head and neck. The anatomy and clinical application of a bilayer cervicofacial skin-platysma rotation flap is described in 6 patients. Flap design ensures sufficient blood perfusion mainly via the occipital artery, the superficial cervical artery and the transverse cervical artery; venous drainage is achieved by the external jugular vein and by randomised vascularisation. The surgical procedures led to sufficient and successful reconstruction of the orbital and cheek region. Further oncological management, such as neck dissection and total parotidectomy could be performed through the flap approach because of the adequate exposure of neck structures. Due to the sensory supply reaching the flap dorsally, sensibility in the reconstructed region could be regained in all patients. This modified skin-platysma rotation flap represents an appropriate surgical technique for safe and simple closure of vast orbital and cheek defects with enhanced blood supply, which enables the extended mobilization required after ablative surgery of the orofacial region.