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Review Question - QID 331

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QID 331 (Type "331" in App Search)
A 70-year-old female with a history of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus presents with purulent ulcers along the plantar aspect of her right forefoot and exposed metatarsal bone. She elects to undergo an amputation. She is insensate to the midfoot bilaterally. Her ankle-brachial index (ABI) for her right posterior tibial artery is 0.4. Further preoperative evaluation demonstrates a transcutaneous oxygen pressure of 45 and an albumin of 3.4. Which of the following would be a contraindication to performing a Syme amputation (ankle disarticulation) in this patient?

Albumin of 3.4

3%

56/1607

Active osteomyelitis

7%

105/1607

ABI of 0.4 for the posterior tibial artery

77%

1242/1607

Transcutaneous oxygen pressure of 45

6%

93/1607

Peripheral neuropathy

7%

106/1607

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A Syme amputation (ankle disarticulation) is a function-preserving amputation option that allows for terminal weight bearing, however strict criteria must be met for a patient to undergo successful Syme amputation. An ankle-brachial index (ABI) less than 0.5 for the posterior tibial artery in a patient with diabetes would be a contraindication for this procedure as success is dependent on the vascular supply of posterior tibial artery to the plantar flap and heel pad.

Pinzur et al retrospectively reviewed their results when performing a single-stage Syme ankle disarticulation in patients with diabetes either for peripheral neuropathy or infection. Patients with ABIs less than 0.5 for the posterior tibial artery had significantly decreased healing rates and smokers had a three-fold increased risk of postoperative infection.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer 1: Albumin of 3.4 indicates adequate preoperative nutrition. Albumin of 2.0 or less would be concerning for increased wound healing risk.
Answer 2: Osteomyelitis was the indication for amputation in a number of diabetic patients in the referenced study, and should not preclude Syme amputation unless the hindfoot and/or distal tibia is involved
Answer 4: Transcutaneous 02 pressure of 45 signifies adequate oxygenation and vascularity. Less than 30 is generally considered a cutoff for adequate vascularity.
Answer 5: Peripheral neuropathy with recurrent ulceration was an indication for amputation in the referenced study.

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