Improving Outcomes for Lower Extremity Amputations Using Intraoperative Fluorescent Angiography to Predict Flap Viability.

OBJECTIVES: Nearly 25% of vascular surgery patients operated on for peripheral vascular disease are readmitted within 30 days. Development of adjuncts to minimize wound complications remains an area of great interest. Here, we present our experience with intraoperative fluorescent angiography (IFA) as a tool to predict skin flap viability following lower extremity amputations (LEAs). METHODS: Experience with IFA using indocyanine green (ICG) dye was reviewed retrospectively at a single institution. Records of patients undergoing LEA with use of IFA by 2 vascular surgeons from 2013 to 2014 were reviewed. Absolute and relative tissue perfusion values were evaluated for sensitivity and specificity in regard to skin flap viability. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with a mean age of 70.5 years (standard deviation [SD] = 12.0, range: 49-93 years) underwent 17 amputations. Indications included rest pain, tissue gangrene, and vascular disease unsuitable for revascularization. Amputation levels included toe (23%), transmetatarsal (18%), below knee (41%), and above knee (18%). Six (35%) amputations required revision with a mean time-to-revision of 26.1 days (SD = 19.9, range: 9-61 days). Of these revisions, 14 (83%) patients proceeded to a proximal-level amputation. Mean follow-up was 235 days (SD = 148, range: 5-448 days), and IFA was used in all cases. Absolute perfusion values (APVs) between 5 and 9 displayed sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 64%, respectively. Additionally, a relative perfusion value (RPV) of ≤31% displayed 100% sensitivity and specificity. Sensitivity and specificity fell to 83% at a relative perfusion of ≤27% and ≤35%, respectively. CONCLUSION: IFA during LEA is safe and easily performed by the vascular surgeon. The RPVs as a predictor of skin flap viability correlate well with those reported in breast reconstructive surgery. Unfortunately, APVs fail to support any predication for flap failure or success. Patient comorbidities and intraoperative variables such as vasopressor use may contribute to this finding.

Evaluating Surgical Residents Quickly and Easily Against the Milestones Using Electronic Formative Feedback.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a newly implemented electronic web-based review system created at our institution for evaluating resident performance relative to established milestones. DESIGN: Retrospective review of data collected from a survey of general surgery faculty and residents. SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital system and independent academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 12 general surgery faculty and 17 general surgery residents participated in this study. The survey queried the level of satisfaction before and after the adoption of QuickNotes using several statements scored on a 5-point scale, with 1 being the lowest rating as "not satisfied," and 5 being the highest rating as "completely satisfied." RESULTS: The weighted average improvements from pre- to post-QuickNotes implementation for the faculty responding to the survey ranged from 10% to 40%; weighted average improvements for the residents responding to the survey ranged from 5% to 73%. For the survey of faculty, both sets of weighted averages tended to be higher than the weighted average for the resident's survey responses. The highest rated topic was the faculty's level of satisfaction with the "frequency to provide feedback" with a post-QuickNotes implementation weighted average of 4.25, closely followed by the residents' level of satisfaction with the "evaluation includes positive feedback" with a post-QuickNotes implementation weighted average of 4.24. The most notable increases in weighted averages from preimplementation to postimplementation were noted for "overall satisfaction" (20% increase for faculty, 37% for residents), "reflects actual criteria that matter" (36% increase for faculty, 73% for residents), faculty "opportunity for follow-up" (increase of 40%), resident "reflects overall trends" (increase of 37%), and resident "provides new information about my performance" (increase of 37%). CONCLUSIONS: Our institutional adoption of QuickNotes into the resident evaluation process has been associated with an overall increased level of satisfaction in the evaluation process by both faculty and residents. The design of QuickNotes facilitates its integration into the resident training environment, as it is web based, easy to use, and has no additional cost over the standard New Innovations subscription. Although it is designed to capture snapshots of trainee behavior and performance, monthly reports through QuickNotes can be used effectively in conjunction with the more traditional end-of-rotation evaluations to show trends, identify areas of strength that should be reinforced, demonstrate areas needing improvement, allow for a more tailored individual education plan to be developed, and permit a more accurate determination of milestone progression.

Augmentation and repair of tendons using demineralised cortical bone.

BACKGROUND: In severe injuries with loss of tendon substance a tendon graft or a synthetic substitute is usually used to restore functional length. This is usually associated with donor site morbidity, host tissue reactions and lack of remodelling of the synthetic substitutes, which may result in suboptimal outcome. A biocompatible graft with mechanical and structural properties that replicate those of normal tendon and ligament has so far not been identified. The use of demineralised bone for tendon reattachment onto bone has been shown to be effective in promoting the regeneration of a normal enthesis. Because of its properties, we proposed that Demineralised Cortical Bone (DCB) could be used in repair of a large tendon defect. METHODS: Allogenic DCB grafts in strip form were prepared from sheep cortical bone by acid decalcification and used to replace the enthesis and distal 1 cm of the ovine patellar tendon adjacent to the tibial tuberosity. In 6 animals the DCB strip was used to bridge the gap between the resected end of the tendon and was attached with bone anchors. Force plate analysis was done for each animal preoperatively and at weeks 3, 9, and 12 post operatively. At week 12, after euthanasia x-rays were taken and range of movements were recorded for hind limbs of each animal. Patella, patellar tendon - DCB and proximal tibia were harvested as a block and pQCT scan was done prior to histological analysis. RESULTS: Over time functional weight bearing significantly increased from 44% at 3 weeks post surgery to 79% at week 12. On retrieval none of the specimens showed any evidence of ossification of the DCB. Histological analysis proved formation of neo-enthesis with presence of fibrocartilage and mineralised fibrocartilage in all the specimens. DCB grafts contained host cells and showed evidence of vascularisation. Remodelling of the collagen leading to ligamentisation of the DCB was proved by the presence of crimp in the DCB graft on polarized microscopy. CONCLUSION: Combined with the appropriate surgical techniques, DCB can be used to achieve early mobilization and regeneration of a tendon defect which may be applicable to the repair of chronic rotator cuff injury in humans.

Cryopreserved saphenous vein graft in infrainguinal bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Autogenous saphenous vein is the ideal conduit for lower extremity revascularization. Unfortunately, autogenous vein is unavailable in up to 20% of patients. Synthetic grafts provide an alternative; however, their use in distal revascularization has shown varying results. In addition, infected surgical sites preclude their use. Currently, there are limited outcome data for cryopreserved saphenous vein use in regard to long-term patency and limb salvage rates. METHODS: Cryopreserved saphenous vein allograft use in infrainguinal bypass was studied retrospectively in a community setting. End points included primary patency, limb salvage, and early complications. Records of patients receiving cryopreserved allografts by nine vascular surgeons within one hospital system from 2006 to 2012 were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients, mean age 69 years (standard deviation, 12.3; range, 28-90 years), underwent 60 operations. Indications for surgery included limb-threatening ischemia (48%), tissue loss (30%), previous graft or site infection (10%), claudication (7%), or other (5%). The mean follow-up period was 23.9 months (standard deviation, 21.0; range, 0-64 months). Primary patency was maintained in 53% of patients at 1 year and in 22% at 3 years. Limb salvage was achieved in 74% of patients at 1 year and in 70% at 2 years. Thirteen early complications included 8 thromboses, 2 deaths, 2 amputations, and 1 anastomotic disruption. Fifteen patients (28%) underwent additional ipsilateral operations with use of synthetic conduits after initial cryopreserved allografts failed. CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreserved vein allografts displayed poor short-term and long-term patency, whereas limb salvage rates at 1 and 2 years remained acceptable. However, >25% of patients required additional ipsilateral operations with use of synthetic conduits after previous failed cryopreserved allograft use. Our data indicate that cryopreserved vein graft is a suboptimal choice of conduit in a noninfected field.

Using United States Medical Licensing Examination(®) (USMLE) examination results to predict later in-training examination performance among general surgery residents.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between and predictive nature of United States Medical Licensing Examination(®) (USMLE) Step 1, Step 2, and American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) postgraduate year (PGY) 1-5 scores from 2 general surgery programs from 1999-2009, with a goal of discerning how Step 1 and Step 2 scores should be used in resident selection and screening. DESIGN: A descriptive, retrospective, correlational study was conducted using data from existing program records. SETTING: Two accredited Midwestern community teaching hospital general surgery residency programs. PARTICIPANTS: Data were collected from the records of N = 34 residents completing the programs in the years 1999-2009. RESULTS: Although a statistically significant correlation exists between USMLE Step 1 and ABSITE PGY 3 scores, Step 2 scores were more highly correlated to ABSITE scores from all years of residency training. In both hierarchical and simple regression models, Step 2 scores were superior in predicting ABSITE PGY 1-5 scores, with the strongest predictability for PGY 3 and PGY 5 scores. CONCLUSIONS: USMLE Step 1 scores showed limited utility in predicting later ABSITE scores whereas Step 2 scores were more predictive of all years of ABSITE scores. These findings should prompt additional research into the relationship between examination performances at different points along the general surgery education continuum. In the mean time, general surgery program directors and faculty might do well to examine the relationships between Step 1 and Step 2 scores and ABSITE scores in their own programs to evaluate the usefulness of considering either score when ranking potential residents for selection into a program.