Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

JAMA Netw Open 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e185547. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota.

Importance: The prevalence and morbidity of peripheral artery disease (PAD) are high, with limb outcomes including revascularization and amputation. In community-dwelling patients with PAD, the role of noninvasive evaluation for risk assessment and rates of limb outcomes have not been established to date.

Objective: To evaluate whether ankle-brachial indices are associated with limb outcomes in community-dwelling patients with PAD. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Jan;98(2):e14002

Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, China.

Rationale: Digital infection is a common disease in clinic, featured by pain and swelling of digits. As far as we know, no article has reported a case of digital infected by Morganella morganii.

Patient Concerns: A 58-year-old Chinese female complains about whitlow with pain and swelling for 2 weeks. Read More

Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc 2018 Jul-Dec;25(3-4):133-140

Medicine Faculty, University of Porto, Portugal; Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Hospital São João, Porto, Portugal.

Introduction: Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was considered the gold standard method for peripheral artery disease (PAD) evaluation. Notwithstanding, recent developments of computed tomography angiography (CTA) have improved the specificity and sensibility of this method. The main objective of this study is to characterize a cohort of patients with lower limb PAD and clarify if there are differences upon groups using different preoperative imaging methods (DSA or CTA). Read More

PLoS One 2018 28;13(12):e0209783. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.

Assessment of lameness in cattle after foot surgery is important to monitor the recovery period, to improve the long-term success and the cows` welfare. This longitudinal multicenter retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of automated tools of weight bearing and gait analysis following foot surgery to support the clinician to monitor lameness in cattle. For this purpose, the effect of involvement of different anatomical structures and the use of different surgery methods on gait parameters of post-operative recovery was assessed. Read More

Wilderness Environ Med 2018 Dec 24. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK; Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.

Extremities are the area of the body most commonly affected by frostbite, which can also affect the face, ears, perineum, or genitals. Optimum management has moved away from early amputation and debridement toward maximizing tissue preservation and delaying surgical intervention. Increasing length of digit amputation increases morbidity, in terms of loss of hand function, experienced by patients. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Dec 22;11(1). Epub 2018 Dec 22.

Department of Plastic Surgery, Joondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, Australia.

It is well known that up to 2% of chronic burn scar lesions can transform into malignant tumours, however, melanoma formation at these sites is extremely rare. This case report describes a burns case, which progressed to four melanomas in a 78-year-old male patient's little finger, 40 years after the initial incident. The patient underwent 3 mm punch biopsies, then digital amputation of the finger with pathology-proven melanoma. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2018 22;53:424-428. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Surgery at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address:

Introduction: Myositis ossificans of the hand is extremely rare and tumors do not usually infiltrate adjacent structures. We present a very unusual case with a tumor infiltrating adjacent structures.

Report Of A Case: A 30-year-old female presented with a 5-week history of a painful rapidly-growing mass over the proximal phalanx of the right ring finger. Read More

J Med Internet Res 2018 Dec 17;20(12):e12460. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Siren Care Inc, San Francisco, CA, United States.

Background: Over 30 million people in the United States (over 9%) have been diagnosed with diabetes. About 25% of people with diabetes will experience a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in their lifetime. Unresolved DFUs may lead to sepsis and are the leading cause of lower-limb amputations. Read More

Microsurgery 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Background: The success of salvage procedures for failing digital replants (FR) is poorly documented. We sought to evaluate the success of salvage procedures for FR and factors contributing to successes and failures of replants.

Methods: Adult patients who presented to our center between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2015, suffered ≥1 digital amputation(s), and underwent digital replantation were included. Read More

Dev Biol 2019 Jan 17;445(2):237-244. Epub 2018 Nov 17.

Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA. Electronic address:

Mice are intrinsically capable of regenerating the tips of their digits after amputation. Mouse digit tip regeneration is reported to be a peripheral nerve-dependent event. However, it is presently unknown what types of nerves and Schwann cells innervate the digit tip, and to what extent these cells regenerate in association with the regenerative response. Read More

Hand (N Y) 2018 Nov 12:1558944718810873. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

1 University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.

Background: Ischemia of the hand is a debilitating condition. In many cases, the cause of ischemia is diffuse atherosclerosis with no distal vessels available for bypass. In these situations, options are limited to restore perfusion, and there is a potential role for arterialization of the venous system to relieve ischemic pain and avoid amputation. Read More

Angiol Sosud Khir 2018;24(3):32-37

Ryazan State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlov under the RF Ministry of Public Health, Ryazan, Russia.

Prevalence of atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD) has steadily been increasing all over the world, affecting approximately 10% of the population. PAD dramatically decreases the patients' quality of life and is accompanied by high risks of limb amputation and death. Reconstructive and restorative interventions make it possible to achieve the highest success in treatment of PAD. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2018 Oct;43(10):903-912.e1

Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI. Electronic address:

Purpose: Traumatic digit amputations have an adverse impact on patients' daily living. Despite experts advocating for digit replantation, studies have shown a continued decrease in rate of replantation. We performed a national-level investigation to examine the recent trend of practice for digital replantation. Read More

Antibiotics (Basel) 2018 Oct 2;7(4). Epub 2018 Oct 2.

VA Northern California, Muir Road, Martinez CA, USA.

Infections involving diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are a major public health problem and have a substantial negative impact on patient outcomes. Osteomyelitis in an ulcerated foot substantially increases the difficulty of successful treatment. While literature suggests that osteomyelitis in selected patients can sometimes be treated conservatively, with no, or minimal removal of bone, we do not yet have clear treatment guidelines and the standard treatment failure fallback remains amputation. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2018 Jun 15;6(6):e1793. Epub 2018 Jun 15.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.

Ray transposition for central digital amputation has been performed following traumatic injury to the hand for decades. Small finger to ring finger ray transposition has been well described in the literature, with good functional and aesthetic outcomes reported. Originally described by Bunnell, the fourth metacarpal can be disarticulated and the fifth metacarpal base transposed with reconstruction of the intermetacarpal ligament allowing progressive closure between the third and fifth rays. Read More

Case Rep Hematol 2018 19;2018:1980749. Epub 2018 Aug 19.

Department of Hematology, Médica Uruguaya (MUCAM), Montevideo, Uruguay.

Digital ischemia is associated with atherosclerotic, thromboembolic, or connective tissue diseases. Less often, it can be related to malignancy. Paraneoplastic vascular acrosyndromes (Raynaud's syndrome, acrocianosis, and acronecrosis) are associated with adenocarcinoma and less frequently with hematological malignancies. Read More

A A Pract 2018 Oct;11(7):189-192

New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York.

The authors present a report of a pulsed radiofrequency ablation of the stellate ganglion performed on a patient with microemboli to the hand from a thrombosed abandoned arteriovenous fistula. The patient was initially managed using vasodilators and anticoagulation. However, the patient's skin mottling, pain, and decreased strength persisted. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2018 18;30:45. Epub 2018 May 18.

Service de Chirurgie Plastique, CHU Mohammed VI, Marrakech, Maroc.

Macrodactylia is a rare congenital malformation of unknown origin that can affect the fingers or the toes. It is characterized by an increase in the size of all the elements of one or more rays, recognizable at birth or occurring in a progressive manner. Social, aesthetic as well as functional impact imposes early surgical management or even amputations in advanced forms. Read More

Pak J Med Sci 2018 Jul-Aug;34(4):1024-1026

Dr. Asif Jan Muhammad, MBBS, MCPS, MRCP (UK). Medicine Department, Patel Hospital, ST-18, Block-4, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, Pakistan.

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) has rarely been reported with autoimmune rheumatic disorders. We report a case of young female, diagnosed case of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who had been overlooked for her raised platelet counts. Later her symptoms of impending digital gangrene led to an active search for her thrombocytosis. Read More

J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2018 Dec 3;43(10):1030-1035. Epub 2018 Sep 3.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.

The composite graft is the only surgical method that is able to maintain digital length and provide soft tissue coverage without donor site morbidities in microsurgically non-replantable fingertip amputations. This study aimed to explore the risk factors that determine the survival of composite grafts. Clinical characteristics associated with graft survival were retrospectively analysed by a comparison between the graft survival and failure groups. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2018 9;51:178-180. Epub 2018 Aug 9.

Department of General Surgery, Kasturba Medical College Manipal University, Manipal, India. Electronic address:

Introduction: Cutaneous metastasis from head and neck cancer is uncommon and it is seen from laryngeal cancer. Acrocutaneous metastasis from the base of tongue is relatively rare.

Case Report: We present a case of a 84-year-old male, previously diagnosed to have moderately differentiated squamous carcinoma of the base of tongue with lung and liver metastases and received palliative chemoradiation. Read More

J Hand Microsurg 2018 Aug 20;10(2):74-78. Epub 2018 Mar 20.

Department of Pediatric Orthopedic and Reconstructive Surgery, Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France.

This is a retrospective cohort study. The authors report surgical outcome in a series of very young children who underwent finger replantation after traumatic amputation. During a 10-year period, 65 children were treated with replantation for finger amputation in two institutions. Read More

J Hand Microsurg 2018 Aug 20;10(2):66-73. Epub 2018 Mar 20.

Department of Plastic Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Orange, California, United States.

Microsurgical replantation following digital amputation has variable success rates. Sociodemographic factors and surgery-related variables have been shown to influence survival rates; however, few studies have evaluated these data systematically across a combined dataset. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the current literature to identify the predictors of replant survival. Read More

J Reconstr Microsurg 2018 Aug 28. Epub 2018 Aug 28.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan.

Background:  Microsurgical replantation of the thumb and digits has become an increasingly familiar technique in clinical practice worldwide. However, successful digit replantation does not always provide better hand function than revision amputation. Little information is available regarding predictors of motor skill activities of replanted hands. Read More

Cureus 2018 Jun 21;10(6):e2853. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

Hematology and Oncology, University of Nebraska, Omaha, USA.

We present a case of a dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease patient who originally presented with sepsis and later developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia-related upper extremity deep venous thrombosis that rapidly progressed to phlegmasia. Argatroban, a direct thrombin inhibitor, was initiated without delay. Argatroban restored the venous patency completely but did not reverse his two gangrenous fingers. Read More

Vasc Med 2018 Aug 14:1358863X18790101. Epub 2018 Aug 14.

1 Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Amphetamine and its related derivatives and analogues (ADRA) are highly addictive central nervous system stimulants that are used commonly in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. These medications are associated with many side effects but reports of peripheral arterial manifestations associated with ADRA usage are scarce. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 16 patients (median age 37 years (IQR 31-47), 13 females) referred to a single tertiary referral service while receiving ADRA. Read More

Hand (N Y) 2018 Aug 3:1558944718791189. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

2 Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Background: Acute limb ischemia (ALI) of the upper extremity is a rare yet severe condition in intensive care unit (ICU) patients that generally leads to amputation. The aim of this study is to determine risk factors for development of upper extremity limb ischemia in ICU patients requiring vasopressor support.

Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted from 2010 to 2015. Read More

J Vasc Surg 2019 Jan 29;69(1):120-128.e2. Epub 2018 Jul 29.

Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health at San Antonio, San Antonio, Tex; South Texas Center for Vascular Care, South Texas Medical Center, San Antonio, Tex. Electronic address:

Background: Critical hand ischemia owing to below-the-elbow atherosclerotic occlusive disease is relatively uncommon. The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes in patients presenting with critical ischemia owing to below-the-elbow arterial atherosclerotic disease who underwent nonoperative and operative management.

Methods: A database of patients undergoing operative and nonoperative management for symptomatic below-the-elbow atherosclerotic disease between 2006 and 2016 was retrospectively queried. Read More

Rev Bras Ortop 2018 Jul-Aug;53(4):421-426. Epub 2018 Jun 8.

Departamento de Ortopedia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde de Sorocaba, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP), Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.

Objective: To evaluate the morphology of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) femoral insertion in order to describe its anatomical features and insertion site location, with the aim of verifying if the ACL femoral insertion has individual characteristics and to provide information for appropriate femoral tunnel placement on anatomic ACL reconstruction.

Methods: Sixteen knees obtained from amputations were studied. The ACL femoral bundles and insertion shape were observed macroscopically, and the ligaments insertion length and thickness were measured with a digital caliper. Read More

J Am Vet Med Assoc 2018 Jul;253(2):209-214

CASE DESCRIPTION A 2.5-year-old 12-kg (26.4-lb) castrated male Miniature American Shepherd was referred because of a 3-week history of a localized crusted skin lesion on the digital pad of digit 3 of the right hind limb. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2018 09;142(3):709-716

Boston, Mass. From the Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

Background: The authors studied the rate of secondary surgery following replantation/revascularization or completion amputation in patients with traumatic upper extremity injuries. The authors hypothesized that there are no factors associated with secondary surgery after initial treatment and that travel distance to the authors' hospital does not influence the number of secondary operations.

Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective study was performed including patients presenting from 2006 to 2014. Read More

Rev Bras Ortop 2018 Mar-Apr;53(2):200-207. Epub 2018 Feb 27.

Hospital do Servidor Público Municipal (HSPM), Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Centro de Cirurgia e Microcirurgia da Mão, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Objective: To assess the homodigital flap surgical procedure, as well as the function of the finger, pain, sensation, esthetics, and patient satisfaction.

Method: Retrospective analysis of records and questionnaires of patients who underwent this surgical technique between the months of May 2013 and October 2016. Eight were included in the study, with an average follow-up period of 23 months. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2018 Jun 13. Epub 2018 Jun 13.

OrthoCarolina Reconstructive Center for Lost Limbs, Atrium Healthcare, Charlotte, NC; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Atrium Healthcare, Charlotte, NC.

Control of independent digital flexion and extension has remained an elusive goal in myoelectric prosthetics for upper extremity amputees. We first performed a cadaver study to determine the feasibility of transferring the interossei muscles for each digit to the dorsum of the hand without damaging the neurovascular pedicles. Once this capability was ensured, a clinical case was performed transferring the interossei of the middle and ring fingers to the dorsum of the hand where they could serve as a myoelectric signal for a partial hand amputee to allow individual digital control with a myoelectric prosthesis. Read More

PLoS One 2018 13;13(6):e0198808. Epub 2018 Jun 13.

The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

To assess the effects of a topical anaesthetic (TA) and buccal meloxicam (BM) on behaviour, maximum wound temperature and wound morphology following amputation dehorning of beef calves, 50 unweaned Hereford calves were randomly allocated to: (1) sham dehorning / control (CON, n = 14); (2) amputation dehorning (D, n = 12); (3) amputation dehorning with pre-operative buccal meloxicam (DBM, n = 12); and (4) amputation dehorning with post-operative topical anaesthetic (DTA, n = 12). Videos of the calves were captured for 3 h following treatment. Each calf was later observed for 5 min every hour and the frequency and duration of specific behaviours displayed during these focal periods was recorded. Read More

Cutis 2018 May;101(5):346-352

Private practice, Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Department of Dermatology, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.

Treatment of digital skin cancers is challenging due to various functional and cosmetic implications. Traditionally, routine treatment includes radical amputation, but digital skin cancers are increasingly being treated with more conservative, tissue-sparing methods such as Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), which provides excellent tissue conservation and margin control when used to treat melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). In this study, we conducted a retrospective chart review to evaluate clinical outcomes following MMS for treatment of digital melanoma and NMSCs. Read More

J Orthop 2018 Jun 12;15(2):701-706. Epub 2018 May 12.

Hand & Upper Limb Unit, SOS Main/Hôpital Européen G. Pompidou, 20 rue Leblanc, 75015, Paris, France.

Introduction: Since Kanavel in 1905, knowledge of phlegmon of flexor tendon sheaths of the fingers have evolved over the twentieth century. This serious infection is 20% of infections of the hand and may have adverse consequences for the function of the finger and even beyond, of the hand. Amputation is always a risk. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2018 Apr 4;6(4):e1657. Epub 2018 Apr 4.

Background: Amniotic Band Syndrome is a clinical constellation of congenital anomalies characterized by constricting rings, tissue synechiae and amputation of body parts distal to the constriction bands. Involvement of the hand with loss of multiple digits not only leads to devastating deformities but also loss of functionality.

Methods: In this series, utilizing microvascular transfer of the second toe from both feet, along with local tissue reconfiguration, a tetra-digital hand with simile of normal cascade was reconstructed. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Jun;97(22):e10951

Introduction: Thrombosis is the most common complication of thrombocytosis, which can be particularly damaging to reattached digits. We present a guideline about digital replantation when thrombocytosis is expected.

Case Presentation: We report a case of an 18-year-old man who sustained a traumatic amputation of two fingers and splenic rupture in a traffic accident. Read More

Hand Surg Rehabil 2018 May 25. Epub 2018 May 25.

Centre de la main, hôpital privé Océane, parc du Ténénio, 56000 Vannes, France. Electronic address:

Replanting complete ring avulsion injuries remains a challenge for hand surgeons. The prognosis depends on achieving satisfactory function. We present the results of our 16 years' experience with managing this type of injury. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2017 Aug;31(8):992-995

Department of Hand Surgery, Renqiu City People's Hospital, Renqiu Hebei, 062550, P.R.China.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of transferring the ulnaris proper digital nerve of index finger and its dorsal branch to repair the thumb nerve avulsion.

Methods: Between January 2007 and May 2015, 23 patients with thumb nerve avulsion were treated by transferring the ulnaris proper digital nerve of index finger and its dorsal branch. There were 17 males and 6 females with an average age of 32 years (range, 16-63 years). Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg 2018 06;141(6):857e-867e

Chicago, Ill.; and New York, N.Y. From the Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Chicago Medical Center; and the Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center.

Background: Significantly fewer replantations have been performed at the authors' institution in recent years, with similar trends observed across the United States. A study of three national databases was performed to evaluate this trend, its possible cause, and national health care implications.

Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and National Inpatient Sample databases were queried for cases with a diagnosis of finger amputation over available years from 2000 to 2011. Read More

J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino) 2018 Oct 22;59(5):665-669. Epub 2018 May 22.

Department of Interventional Radiology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.

Background: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the presentation of end stage peripheral arterial disease and typically presents with rest pain, ulceration and gangrene. The outcome of conservative treatment is poor and often leads to amputations. Arterial revascularization plays an important role in amputation prevention. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2018 Jul 8;43(7):625-630. Epub 2018 May 8.

Private Practice at Hospital IMED Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

Purpose: Ischemia time has been traditionally considered a critical factor in replantation survival rate. The objective of this study was to compare the survival rate between immediate and overnight-delayed digital replantation.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all digital replantations performed at our clinic between 2005 and 2016. Read More

Hand (N Y) 2018 Jul 27;13(4):NP14-NP16. Epub 2018 Apr 27.

2 University of Rochester Medical Center, NY, USA.

Background: Pediatric digital necrosis resulting in revision amputation is a devastating outcome following digital dressing application.

Methods: We report a series of 4 pediatric patients (age: 21 months-11 years) who presented for surgical consultation related to digital ischemia and irreversible necrosis following the application of Coban digital dressings. A review of the literature demonstrated that such injuries had not previously been described. Read More

Rev Port Cir Cardiotorac Vasc 2017 Jul-Dec;24(3-4):174

Departamento de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Portugal.

Introduction: For several years, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was considered the gold standard method for the evaluation of PAD patients. This is an invasive technique and allows a good evaluation of collaterals and the vessel lumen, even in cases with associated calcification. Nevertheless, recent technical development of computed tomography angiography (CTA) has improved its specificity and sensibility, besides the fact that CTA is a fast and non-invasive procedure. Read More

Khirurgiia (Mosk) 2018(4):57-62

Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Care, Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow, Russia.

Aim: To improve diagnosis and surgical outcomes in patients with ruptured popliteal artery aneurysm.

Material And Methods: Eight patients with ruptured popliteal artery aneurysm have undergone surgery for the period from 1999 to 2015 at the Vascular Surgery Department of Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Care. Incidence of rupture was 2. Read More

J Biomech 2018 Jun 13;74:213-219. Epub 2018 Apr 13.

Michigan State University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, United States. Electronic address:

Many amputees who wear a leg prosthesis develop significant skin wounds on their residual limb. The exact cause of these wounds is unclear as little work has studied the interface between the prosthetic device and user. Our research objective was to develop a quantitative method for assessing displacement patterns of the gel liner during walking for patients with transtibial amputation. Read More

Adv Skin Wound Care 2018 Aug;31(8):365-369

Eran Tamir, MD, is Senior Foot & Ankle Surgeon, Department of Orthopedics, Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. Aharon S. Finestone, MD, is Orthopedic Surgeon, Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. Itay Wiser, MD, is Lecturer, Department of Epidemiology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. Yoram Anekstein, MD, is Head of the Spine Unit, Orthopedic Surgery Department, Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. Gabriel Agar, MD, is Head of the Orthopedic Department, Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.

Objective: To present results and complications in a case series of outpatients with diabetic and neuropathic foot ulcers with exposed bone following surgical debridement treated with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT).

Methods: Retrospective data were obtained from digital medical records from the Maccabi Health Services High Risk Foot Clinic in Tel Aviv, Israel, between 2009 and 2014. Medical records examined were those of clinic outpatients with exposed bone following partial foot amputation or selective bone debridement (University of Texas grade III-A) treated with NPWT. Read More

Acta Derm Venereol 2018 Jul;98(7):677-682

Department of Dermatology, Tenon Hospital, Public Assistance - Paris Hospitals (AP-HP), Paris, France.

Lower-limb ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients are rarely reported. The aim of this study was to describe the main causes and outcomes of lower-limb ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients and to assess factors associated with ischaemic causes (arterial disease and/or microvascular impairment). A retrospective, multicentre, case-control study was conducted in 2013 and 2014, including 45 systemic sclerosis patients presenting lower-limb ulcers between 2008 and 2013. Read More

Ethiop J Health Sci 2018 Jan;28(1):31-36

Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University.

Background: Amputation is a surgical procedure for the removal of a limb which is indicated when limb recovery is impossible. There are different types of amputation, and their causes can vary from one area to the other. Therefor, the aim of this study is to find out the patterns and causes of amputations in patients presented to Ayder Referral Hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia. Read More