Increased limb salvage by the use of unconventional foot amputations.
OBJECTIVE
Limb salvage in the presence of ischemic foot necrosis requires revascularization followed by debridement or partial foot amputation. Necrosis extending beyond the toes and metatarsal heads may require the use of unconventional types of amputations.


METHODS
Over a 15-year period 2105 ischemic limbs were treated with infrainguinal revascularization. In 98 cases, extensive foot necrosis was than managed with amputations, including 59 modified Chopart, 14 Lisfranc, 17 Pirogoff and 8 Syme amputations. Patients were not allowed to bear weight for several days to weeks.


RESULTS
Skin flap necrosis in 14 cases was managed successfully by debridement and skin grafting. Ambulation required the use of a "clamshell" prosthesis and foot spacer. The overall limb salvage rate in this group was 84% (82 of 98). In general, the modified Chopart amputation most frequently produced ambulatory limb salvage and is technically easier to perform than a Syme amputation. Patient satisfaction and long-term ambulatory function was highest with the modified Chopart.


CONCLUSIONS
Ischemic foot necrosis extending beyond the limits of conventional transmetatarsal amputation need not be treated with major amputation. This requires the surgeon to be well versed in the use of less common types of partial foot amputations. Acceptable limb salvage and good functional results may be attained by the motivated patient and surgeon with the use of these procedures in the revascularized limb.
Chang
B B
BB
Albany Medical College, NY 12208.
Bock
D E
DE
Jacobs
R L
RL
Darling
R C
RC
Leather
R P
RP
Shah
D M
DM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D000792:Angiography; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004434:Early Ambulation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome