ObjectiveThere are no specific criteria that define the level of amputation in diabetic patients. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of clinical and laboratory parameters in determining the level of amputation and the wound healing time.MethodsOne hundred and thirty-nine diabetic patients were retrospectively assessed. They underwent surgical procedures due to infection and/or ischemic necrosis. Type of surgery, antibiotic use, laboratory parameters and length of hospital stay were evaluated in this study.ResultsThe most common amputation level was transmetatarsal, occurring in 26 patients (28.9%). The wound healing time increased with statistical significance in individuals undergoing debridement, who did not receive preoperative antibiotics and did not undergo vascular intervention. Higher levels of amputation were statistically related to limb ischemia, previous amputation and non-use of preoperative antibiotics.ConclusionPatients with minor amputations undergo stump revision surgery more often, but the act of always targeting the most distal stump possible decreases energy expenditure while walking, allowing patients to achieve better quality of life. Risk factors for major amputations were ischemia and previous amputations. A protective factor was preoperative antibiotic therapy. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Study.

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Objective This study aimed at evaluating the effect of thrombophilia on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing any type of orthopedic surgery. Background Patients undergoing orthopedic surgery are at high risk for VTE. Although patients with thrombophilia have an increased risk of VTE, it is currently unclear whether there is a synergetic effect in patients with thrombophilia who undergo orthopedic surgery. Methods Data from a large population‐based case–control study (the Multiple Environmental and Genetic Assessment [MEGA] of risk factors for venous thrombosis study) were used. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) (ORadj) were calculated for patients undergoing any orthopedic intervention. Results Of 4721 cases and 5638 controls, 263 cases and 94 controls underwent orthopedic surgery. Patients who had any orthopedic intervention in the year before the index date were at higher risk of VTE (ORadj 3.7; 95% CI, 2.9‐4.8) than those who did not undergo any orthopedic surgery. There was an additionally increased risk in patients with factor V Leiden (OR 17.5, 95% CI, 4.1‐73.6), non‐O blood group (OR 11.2; 95% CI, 3.4‐34.0), or elevated plasma levels of factor VIII (OR 18.6; 95% CI, 7.4‐46.9) all relative to patients without these defects, not undergoing orthopedic surgery. Conclusions Patients with factor V Leiden, high levels of factor VIII, or blood group non‐O were found to have a high risk of VTE after orthopedic surgery. Identification of these patients may enable individualized thromboprophylactic treatment to efficiently reduce VTE risk.

Category: Bunion Introduction/Purpose: The minimally invasive Chevron Akin (MICA) osteotomy have been widely used treating hallux valgus (HV). The purpose of this study was to present a case series of patients with severe HV undergoing surgical treatment using the MICA procedure, and to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes Methods: Sixty consecutive feet (52 patients) undergoing MICA for severe HV were included. Patients were assessed pre and postoperatively. Clinically evaluation was realized by visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Score (AOFAS). Radiographic assessments included measurement of hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), metatarsal (MT) length and plantar offset of MT head. Results: The mean age was 59.9 years and follow-up were 18.5 months. The average AOFAS increased from 41.2 to 90.9 points and the VAS decreased from 8.1 to 1.3 at the last follow up. Average HVA decreased from 41.2° to 11.6° and IMA reduced from 17.1° to 6.8°. Average shortening of the first metatarsal and the plantar offset of MT head was 3.9 mm and 2.8 mm respectively. There was significant improvement (p<0.001) in all clinical and radiographic parameters (p<0.001). The most observed complication was hardware discomfort, observed in four feet (6.6%). Conclusion: The MICA technique is a safe and reproducible method to treat severe HV.