[Minor amputations for diabetic foot syndrome]

[Diabetic foot syndrome-Part 2 : Revascularization, treatment alternatives, care structures, recurrency prophylaxis]

Diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is the most frequent reason for major amputations in Germany. The majority of foot lesions are triggered by repetitive pressure in diabetic polyneuropathy. Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) impairs wound healing and is the main risk factor for amputations. The treatment of wounds and infections as well as timely revascularization are decisive. The use of endovascular and vascular surgical methods depends on the distribution pattern and length of the occlusion processes. Both procedures are complementary. Bypass surgery is of great importance for neuroischemic DFS. Multidisciplinary centers that provide revascularization in DFS can achieve an improvement of arterial blood flow in 90% of the cases and reduce the amputation rate by up to 80%. Due to the high recurrence rate of diabetic foot lesions, measures for secondary prophylaxis are of exceptional importance (podological and orthopedic technical care, foot surgery).

[Minor foot amputations in diabetic foot syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

The treatment strategy for diabetic foot syndrome must take into account protective sensibility of the foot, open wounds, infection status, and the rules of septic bone surgery. Interventions are classified as elective, prophylactic, curative, or emergency. Amputations in the forefoot and midfoot region are performed as ray amputations (including metatarsal), which can often be carried out as "inner" amputations. Gentle tissue treatment mandatory because of greater risk of revision with re-amputation compared to classical amputation.

INDICATIONS

Good demarcation of infection, acute osteomyelitis, osteolytic lesions, neurotropic ulcer, arterial and venous blood flow to the other toes, gangrene of other toes with metatarsal affection.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Arterial occlusive disease, infection of neighboring areas, avoidable amputations, poorly healing ulcers on the lower leg.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Primary dorsal approach; minimal incisional distance (5 cm) to minimize skin necrosis risk. Atraumatic preparation, minimize hemostasis to not compromise the borderline perfusion situation. In amputations, plantar skin preparation and longer seams placed as dorsal as possible, either disarticulated and maintain cartilage, or round the cortical metatarsal bone after resection.

POSTOPERATIVE TREATMENT

Diabetes control. Braun splint, mobilization in a shoe with forefoot decompression and hindfoot support, physiotherapy. Antibiotics based on resistance testing. If no complications, dressing change on postoperative day 1. Optimal wound drainage by lowering foot several times a day; drainage removal after 12-24 h. Insoles and footwear optimization.

RESULTS

Amputations require continued attention and if necessary treatment to avoid sequelae. Insufficient treatment associated with recurrent ulceration and altered anatomy.

[Ethical decisions in surgery. Foundations for a principle-oriented case discussion]

BACKGROUND

Due to advanced medical interventions, the multitude of beliefs in our society, and increasing economic pressure, difficult ethical decisions are also part of the surgical care of patients.

QUESTION

How can health care personnel address the ethical challenges in a structured, well-founded ethical manner?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Based on the four principles of biomedical ethics beneficence, nonmaleficence, respect for autonomy, and justice, we present a model for the step-wise ethical evaluation of difficult cases.

RESULTS

The principle-based model of ethical case discussions consists of five steps: 1) In the medical analysis of the case, the available management strategies are identified, including a detailed description of their benefits and risks. 2) The evaluation starts with the ethical obligations towards the patient: Which treatment strategy is in the patient's best interest? And: Which option does the patient prefer herself after appropriate disclosure? 3) Then it has to be examined whether obligations to third parties (family members, other patients, etc.) have to be taken into account. 4) In the synthesis, the individual evaluations are integrated into an overall assessment of the case; conflicting obligations have to be balanced based on good reasons. 5) A critical review of the case concludes the case discussion. The application of the model is exemplified based on a surgical case discussion.

CONCLUSION

Difficult ethical decisions can be supported by structured case discussions, in which all medical disciplines and professional groups involved in the care of the patient should participate.

[Minor amputations: a maxi task : Part 2: From transmetatarsal amputation to hindfoot amputation]

The definitive aim of a minor amputation is limited resection with retention of feet and legs resulting in a completely loadable extremity, in contrast to the lower leg stump. A shift in the amputation level in the sense of a shortening is inevitably accompanied by a reduction in the stand area, an increase in axial pressure and a disruption of muscle equilibrium in the extent of movement of the rest of the foot. This knowledge forms the central issue for further treatment of minor amputations in addition to the subtle treatment of the skin of the sole for coverage of a tension-free tip of the stump. Advantageous are longitudinal partial amputations of the forefoot and midfoot.

[Minor amputations - a maxi task. Part 1: From the principles to transmetatarsal amputation]

A threatening major amputation represents a fateful turning point for diabetics. This occurs in 50% of cases of amputations in diabetics. This increases the demand for another therapeutic route not only because of the limitations in quality of life but also due to substantially higher mortality. Even if an osteomyelitic ischemic situation is often present specialized centers have succeeded in substantially reducing the rate of major amputations in such patients. The term "minor amputation" commonly used in vascular surgery is not uniformly understood. Following the "vascular surgery working model" developed by Rümenapf, the significance of "minor amputations" for retention of extremities and the associated controversies have been shown. "Minor amputations" therefore represent a maxi-task if patients undergoing such a procedure are to be timely and competently treated. The necessary interdisciplinary cooperation with other specialists should in the future also include orthopedic surgeons.

[The infected diabetic foot]

Infections in the diabetic foot are regularly the consequence of neuropathic, ischemic, or combined neuropathic-ischemic ulcerations which cause substantial morbidity including a high rate of major amputations. Diabetic foot infections are responsible for substantially high costs of diabetic treatment and induce an increased rate of mortality. An early diagnosis on the basis of clinical presentation, laboratory results, and radiologic imaging together with an adequate classification of the severity of infection represents the key for a successful intervention strategy. Severe infections in diabetic feet have a poorer prognosis than mild or moderate infections. A guideline which includes a multifaceted approach to infection control by débridement, antibiotic therapy, and revascularization before definitive reconstruction of the defect may aid in reducing the risk of amputation and improving the quality of life and mobility of the patient. This can be realized by multidisciplinary cooperation. Additional preventive measures such as osseous and soft tissue reconstructions during the infection-free period to establish a plantigrade and ulcer-free foot together with education and routine follow-up controls provide the basis for a long-term reduction of ulcer and infection recurrence with progressive deterioration of the prognosis.