1.Severe diabetic foot repaired by tibial bone transverse transport combined with flap transfer: Report of 7 cases
Shuxin ZHANG ; Huiping WU ; Yongxian XU ; Xu ZOU ; Senhai ZHAN ; Yangping ZOU ; Zhugen HUO ; Xiaoping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2022;45(4):389-393
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of Ilizarov technique of tibial bone transverse transport combined with flap transfer in the treatment of severe diabetic foot.Methods:From April 2016 to March 2020, 7 patients with severe diabetic foot were treated by Ilizarov technique of tibial bone transverse transport combined with flap transfer in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery of Foshan Nanhai Public Health Hospital. Diabetes Wagner classification: 2 cases were in Grade 3, in which, 1 case was ulcer in right heel and deep plantar with abscess and infection, and 1 case was ulcer in left great toe and phalanx infection; Other 5 cases were in Grade 4, of them, 2 cases were gangrene in proximal and distal of left great toe, 1 case were gangrene and infection in proximal, middle and distal segment of right 2nd toe, 1 case were gangrene and infection in proximal, middle and distal segment of left 4th toe, and 1 case were gangrene in distal segment of left 4th toe. Wound area was 2.0 cm×2.0 cm-6.0 cm×12.0 cm. Sural neurouascular flaps were used in 1 case, dorsal plantar artery flaps in 4 cases and medial plantar artery flaps in 2 cases. Size of flap was 2.0 cm×2.0 cm-6.0 cm×12.0 cm. Follow-up was conducted regularly by outpatient clinic, telephone and WeChat interviews. Content of the follow-up included foot wound healing, skin temperature of dorsal foot, lower limb paralysis, puncture exudation of external fixation stent, and blood supply of calf skin. Foot function was assessed according to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS) score.Results:All 7 patients entered the follow-up for 6-28 months, with an average of 8.2 months. All the foot ulcers healed. The pain of affected limbs eased off in 5 patients, and 2 patients had significant pain relief in affected limbs. Foot paralysis significantly alleviated in 7 patients, with calf skin temperature increased (1.81±0.56) ℃, and no recurrence of foot ulcers. According to AOFAS score, 3 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good and 1 case was fair.Conclusion:Ilizarov technique of tibial bone transverse transposition combined with flap transfer in the treatment of severe diabetic foot has a good clinical effect and it could be an option in the treatment of diabetic foot.