• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.217-222
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to establish guidelines for ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe-brachial index (TBI) and toe pressure with regard to healing of diabetic foot amputation wound. Material and Methods: We designed a retrospective study that included patients with diabetic foot ulcer. From 2008 to 2011, 46 patients who had suffered from amputation of a foot due to diabetic foot ulcer were included in this study. We divided them into amputation-success group and amputation-revision group, and compared their ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe-brachial index (TBI) and toe pressure between two groups. Amputation-revision group is that first forefoot amputation is failed to heal successfully and need to have another proximal amputation. Results: Toe pressure was 78 mmHg (54~107) in the amputation success group, 0 mmHg (0~43) in the amputation revision group (p=0.000). Ankle-brachial index was 1.1650(1.0475~1.1975) in the amputation success group, 0.92(0.5275~1.0750) in the amputation revision group (p=0.05), and toe-brachial index was 0.6100(0.4050~0.7575) in the amputation success group, 0.00(0.00~0.4150) in the amputation revision group (p=0.04), respectively. Conclusion: ABI, TBI, toe pressure of amputation success group were significantly higher than those of amputation revision group.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.777-785
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• 2007

In this paper, Finger-Toe Index (FTI) is proposed as an analytic parameter for the characterization of arterial vessel. Different from the currently being employed pulse wave velocity (PWV) information of the volume pulse wave measured from 4 arterial channels, the proposed FTI uses the ratio of the shorter of the two up-stroke time of PPG from fingers ($UT_{finger}$) and that of PPG (Photoplethysmography) from toes ($UT_{toe}$). To verify the usefulness of the proposed method, Finger-Toe Indexes were derived from the volume pulse waves acquired from 50 people under examination aged from 12 to 81 years old, and they were then compared with blood pressure ankle-brachial index (ABI). It was successfully demonstrated that the arterial stiffness can be estimated with respect to age and FTI is more strongly correlated with the pulse transit time than ABI. From the regression analysis, we also found that FTI has significant correlation PWV for a quantitative index of arterial stiffness and provides more accurate information than ABI for the characterization of arterial vessel.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.227-231
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• 2012

Background : The ankle brachial pressure index (ABI) is a simple, useful method for diagnosing peripheral artery disease (PAD). Although the ABI is an objective diagnostic method, it has limited reliability in certain scenarios. The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of the toe brachial index (TBI) as a diagnostic tool for detecting stenosis in PAD, associated with normal or low ABI values. Methods : ABI and TBI values were measured in 15 patients with diabetic gangrene who were suspected of having lower extremity arterial insufficiency. The ABI and TBI values were measured using a device that allowed the simultaneous measurement of systolic blood pressure in the upper and lower extremities. In addition, the ABI and TBI values were compared pre- and post-angiography. Results : Patients with an ABI of 0.9-1.3 showed almost no difference between the 2 measurements. The patients with TBI >0.6 had no arterial insufficiency. The patients with TBI <0.6 required vascular intervention with ballooning. After the angiography, the gangrenous wounds decreased in size more rapidly than they did prior to the intervention. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that TBI is the method of choice for evaluating lower limb perfusion disorders. This result requires further studies of TBI in a larger number of patients. Future long-term studies should therefore evaluate the utility of TBI as a means of screening for PAD and the present findings should be regarded as preliminary outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.232-239
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• 2011

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most important diabetic complications because it increases the risk of amputations. Moreover, it lowers the quality of patients' life and increases the social medical expenses. Authors analyzed risk factors of intractable diabetic foot ulcer using retrospective study. Materials and Methods: From January 2007 to December 2010, 40 patients who could not achieve complete healing despite more than 12 weeks of proper management among who had been diagnosed and treated as diabetic foot ulcer at our hospital were included and evaluated retrospectively. We compared the risk factors between two groups who were finally treated by amputation and non-amputation. Results: The sample was composed of 31 male patients (77.5%) and 9 female patients (22.5%). Comorbidity including hypertension and hyperlipidemia were 77.5% and 80% each. By Wagner classification, 30 patients (80%) had ulcerative lesion over the grade 3. From bacteriology results, 29 patients (72.5%) had polybacteria infection. 35 patients (87.5%) had neuropathy and 26 patients (65%) had vascular stenosis at least one level. The mean initial ankle-brachial index and toe-brachial index were 0.982 and 0.439. In comparison between amputation group and non-amputation group, ulcer severity, number of stenotic vessel and initial ankle-brachial index/toe-brachial index had statistical significance. Conclusion: The most commonly risk factor of intractable diabetic foot ulcer was peripheral neuropathy reaching 87.5% of cases. In comparison with non-amputation group, ulcer severity according to Wagner classification, number of stenotic vessel and initial ankle-brachial index/toe-brachial index were demonstrated as a risk factor of amputation in intractable diabetic foot ulcer.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.58-66
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• 2019

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic-loaded cement spacers (ALCSs) for the treatment of diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis as a salvage procedure and to analyze the risk factors of treatment failure. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed retrospectively 39 cases of diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis who underwent surgical treatment from 2009 to 2017. The mean age and follow-up period were $62{\pm}13years$ and $19.2{\pm}23.3months$, respectively. Wounds were graded using the Wagner and Strauss classification. X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (or bone scan) and deep tissue cultures were taken preoperatively to diagnose osteomyelitis. The ankle-brachial index, toe-brachial index (TBI), and current perception threshold were checked. Lower extremity angiography was performed and if necessary, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was conducted preoperatively. As a surgical treatment, meticulous debridement, bone curettage, and ALCS placement were employed in all cases. Between six and eight weeks after surgery, ALCS removal and autogenous iliac bone graft were performed. The treatment was considered successful if the wounds had healed completely within three months without signs of infection and no additional amputation within six months. Results: The treatment success rate was 82.1% (n=32); 12.8% (n=5) required additional amputation and 5.1% (n=2) showed delayed wound healing. Bacterial growth was confirmed in 82.1% (n=32) with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly identified strain (23.1%, n=9). The lesions were divided anatomically into four groups; the largest number was the toes: (1) toes (41.0%, n=16), (2) metatarsals (35.9%, n=14), (3) midfoot (5.1%, n=2), and (4) hindfoot (17.9%, n=7). A significant difference in the Strauss wound score and TBI was observed between the treatment success group and failure group. Conclusion: The insertion of ALCSs can be a useful treatment option in diabetic foot infections with osteomyelitis. Low scores in the Strauss classification and low TBI are risk factors of treatment failure.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.121-125
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigates the amputation rate within 1 year after the diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer and its associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 60 patients with diabetic foot ulcer. The mean and standard deviation age was $64.4{\pm}12.8years$ (range, 32~89 years); the mean and standard deviation prevalence period for diabetes mellitus was $21.0{\pm}7.5years$ (range, 0.5~36 years). The amputation rate was evaluated by dividing the subjects into two groups - the major and minor amputation groups - within 1 year following the initial diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for amputation. Results: The total amputation rate of 38.3% (n=23) was comprised of the amputation rate for the major amputation group (10.0%) and rate for the minor amputation group (23.8%). There was a high correlation between peripheral artery disease (toe brachial pressure index <0.7) and amputation (hazard ratio [HR] 5.81, confidence interval [CI] 2.09~16.1, p<0.01). Nephropathy was significantly correlated with the amputation rate (HR 3.53, CI 1.29~9.64, p=0.01). Conclusion: Clinicians who treat patients with diabetic foot complications must understand the fact that the amputation rate within 1 year is significant, and that the amputation rate of patients with peripheral artery disease or nephropathy is especially high.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.2 s.271
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• pp.136-139
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• 2007

Bilateral popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is a rare vascular disease, which leads to ischemic claudication as a result of disturbance to the blood flow from the abnormal relationship of the popliteal artery to the gastrocnemius muscle, a fibrous band or the popliteus muscle in the young male population. A 58-years-old male patient, complaining of ischemic claudication, coldness and 3rd toe gangrene of left leg of 1 month's duration was admitted to our institution. His left ankle-brachial index was decreased; therefore, a femoral artery angiography was peformed, which revealed a total occlusion below the distal superficial femoral artery of the left leg. An EKG revealed atrial fibrillation, suggestive of a thromboembolism of the popliteal artery due to atrial fibrillation; therefore, Urokinase thrombolysis was attempted. After the Urokinase thrombolysis, popliteal artery entrapment syndrome was diagnosed, with MRI then performed for an anatomical diagnosis. The popliteal artery entrapment was type 1, where the popliteal artery was displaced medial to the Gastrocnemius head. After complete removal of the popliteal artery aneurysm, interposition was performed with a contra lateral greater saphenous vein graft. A mild right popliteal artery aneurysm still remained, but surgery was not performed. Currently, the patent is surviving, without complications. Herein, the good results obtained for the surgical treatment of a severely affected leg, and the conservative treatment of a mildly affected leg, are reported.