The Benefits of a Muscle-Sparing Below Knee Amputation in the Elderly Population.

BACKGROUND: It is well accepted that good muscle coverage of the bones at the end of a below knee amputation (BKA) stump is preferable, for both weight bearing and protection against prosthesis failure. Elderly patients often have atrophy of the leg musculature secondary to age-related physiological changes and decreased use. These patients often have poor coverage and bulk in their stumps after the standard BKA. We propose a selective muscle-sparing approach to these patients, utilizing selective removal of muscle bundles with regard to their blood supply and fascial planes. The surgical method technique along with outcomes of patients undergoing the procedure is presented here. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who had undergone a muscle-sparing BKA from March 2008 to October 2017 by a single surgeon. Estimated blood loss, operative time, and perioperative and postoperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-six patients greater than 60 years of age underwent muscle-sparing BKA procedures. Complete healing was seen in 30 (65%) patients, while 7 (15%) were lost to follow-up and 9 (20%) required conversion to an above knee amputation (AKA). Intraoperative outcomes in our series were notable for an average estimated blood loss (EBL) of 84.3 ml, lower than the traditional BKA (average EBL 150-500 ml), with comparable operative times averaging 131 minutes and as short as 85 minutes (skin incision to dressing). No patients in the cohort required postoperative blood transfusions (day 0-4), significantly less than the reported 3-7 ml/kg body weight blood requirements in similar patient populations. CONCLUSIONS: The muscle-sparing BKA technique should be considered in elderly patients, where the normally bulky posterior calf muscle mass is lacking. The selective removal of muscle bundles with regard to their blood supply leaves maximum coverage of the bone with decreased potential hematoma formation and blood loss.

A Reevaluation of the Gritti-Stokes (Above-Knee) Amputation for the Nonambulatory Patient.

OBJECTIVE: To reevaluate the benefits of a Gritti-Stokes amputation (GSA), as an alternative to the traditional above-knee amputation (AKA), in patients who are nonambulatory or not a candidate for a below-knee amputation (BKA). TECHNIQUE: A fish-mouth incision is fashioned below the tibial tuberosity into the popliteal crease, resulting in an anterior soft tissue flap and smaller posterior soft tissue flap. Thus the incision line will be on the posterior thigh, instead of the end of the stump. The patellar tendon is detached from the anterior tibial tuberosity, then the dissection is carried proximally behind the patellar tendon and the adjoining tendons of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis, until the patella can be flipped over to expose the posterior patellar surface and joint capsule. The patellar's posterior surface is shaved down flat to medulla bone, with an electric small-toothed bone saw and large bur. The femur is then cleared circumferentially at its base. The foot is then placed at 90°, creating a 45-degree angle between the femur and the tibia, and the femur is then transected with a Gigli saw near the base or just above the base, depending on the size of the patellar surface area. This creates a 45-degree angle to the femur posteriorly, which allows the shaved patella to be secured to the end of the femur, with less chance of shifting. The fascia is then circumferentially closed around the patella and femur. Then, the remnant patellar tendon is sutured to the tendons of the posterior compartment. The dermis and skin are then closed in the standard tension-free manner using 2-0 interrupted vicryl sutures, followed by interrupted 2-0 nylon vertical mattress sutures. The dressing consisted of a single layer of ADAPTIC Non-Adhering Dressing to allow drainage, gauze fluffs, 6-inch kerlix, and finally a 6-inch ACE wrap was applied. The dressings are left intact for 2-3 days and then replaced daily thereafter. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who had undergone a GSA from January 2016 to September 2017 by a single surgeon. Estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, and perioperative and postoperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 16 GSAs were performed on 15 patients by a single surgeon between January 7, 2016 and September 19, 2017. In our series, intraoperative outcomes were notable for an average EBL of 114 mL, lower than the traditional AKA (average EBL: 300-500 mL) with comparable operative times as short as 90 min (skin incision to dressing). No transfusions were required in the GSA group (postop days: 1-4) compared with traditional AKA group which required an average of 2.1 units. Postoperative outcomes showed low complication rates. Postoperative complications were limited to 2 cases of a stump infection, which were treated with local wound care and subsequently healed completely. One patient died from septic shock secondary to pneumonia unrelated to the GSA surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A reevaluation of the GSA in the nonambulatory patient population is warranted in the United States as an alternative to the traditional AKA whenever possible. Our experience with a small series of GSA's has yielded promising advantages including potential for decreased blood loss and fewer complications in the postoperative period when compared with the standard AKA. Retained muscle attachments facilitate increased limb function and allow use of slide joint prosthetics, which are gaining popularity for ambulatory patients. The thickened skin and subcutaneous tissues overlying the patella, and the posterior incision have the potential benefit of protection against trauma and osteomyelitis seen with traditional AKA, in which case the open ended medullary bone is deep to the incision. We believe that for these same reasons the GSA should be considered in the nonambulatory patient as well.

Minimally Invasive Aortobiilliofemoral Endarterectomy for Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease Is a Compelling Alternative to Bypass.

INTRODUCTION:: Aortobifemoral bypass is a time-honored, durable surgery allowing restoration of lower extremity blood. However, the potential for significant complications exists, impacting mortality, morbidity, and quality of life. Minimally invasive aortobiiliofemoral endarterectomy offers an alternative to prosthetic bypass and its associated complications. Here, we present a case series using remote endarterectomy for aortoiliac occlusive disease. METHODS:: Nine patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease were treated at a single institution, by a single surgeon, with direct and remote endarterectomy combination. Standard femoral access approach was used. A limited longitudinal distal aorta arteriotomy into the right common iliac artery to the hypogastric bifurcation was made. Then, an open thromboendarterectomy was performed. Circumferential common femoral endarterectomies were performed bilaterally and the plaque transected, allowing manually controlled Vollmar ring passage proximally to the iliac bifurcation on the right and the aortic bifurcation on the left. Aortoiliac arteriotomy was closed, followed by the femoral arteriotomies. Morbidity, secondary interventions, recurrent stenosis (adjacent segment velocity ratios ≥2), ankle-brachial index (ABI), and patency rates were tracked postoperatively for 6 years. Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis was used to determine patency rates per the criteria of SVS and ISCS. RESULTS:: The average age was 59.1 years (54-87 years), and 88% were male. Comorbidities included hypertension (75%), former/current smokers (100%), and prior PAD surgical intervention (38%). Revascularization of 100% was achieved, with average ABI improving from 0.42 preoperatively to 0.92 postoperatively (0.91 at 8-month follow-up). Six-year patency rate was 100% without reintervention. Incidence of myocardial infarction, stroke, death, amputation, intestinal ischemia, sexual dysfunction, and aneurysmal degeneration was zero after 6 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION:: Minimally invasive aortobiiliofemoral endarterectomy is a viable alternative to aortobifemoral bypass for the treatment of aortoiliac occlusive disease, allowing reestablishment of normal anatomic anatomy while avoiding the use of prosthetic material. Patency rates in this series was 100% at 6 years, with minimal postoperative complications or morbidity.