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Lower limb arteriopathy is a frequent and potentially serious complication of diabetes. In fact, it largely explains the high incidence of lower limb amputations in diabetic patients as well as a significant impairment of quality of life in the case of intermittent claudication or decubitus pain. The severity of the disease is also based on the associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis is primarily made by the clinical examination, completed by functional hemodynamic tests (ankle/brachial index, transcutaneous oxygen pressure and toe pressure) and possibly imaging tests (arterial Doppler and arteriography of the lower limbs). The treatment of lower limbs arterial disease will depend on the vascular symptomatology, the severity of the vascular lesions evaluated by the hemodynamic tests and by the anatomical characteristics of the vascular lesions., Competing Interests: O. Bourron déclare faire ou avoir fait des interventions ponctuelles et avoir été pris en charge, à l'occasion de déplacements pour congrès, par Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, et Lilly.

Arterial thrombosis of the newborn is rare and associated with poor prognosis, often attributed to umbilical arterial catheterization. The aortic and spontaneous forms are exceptional. Its severity requires fast and effective treatment. Although therapeutic means are numerous, no consensus has been established to date although thrombolysis and heparin therapy appear to give good results depending on the site and extent of thrombosis. We report a case of extensive thrombosis of the abdominal aorta in a 5-day-old newborn, revealed by acute hypernatremic dehydration. Thrombosis was not related to umbilical catheterization. The diagnosis was confirmed by Doppler ultrasound with discovery during the etiologic assessment of an authentic protein S deficiency. This observation was the occasion for a review of the literature concerning the evolutionary and therapeutic clinical aspects of neonatal arterial thrombosis., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

One third of patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) has below the knee lesions and requires a restoration of direct blood flow into the foot. However, many of these patients are ineligible for open surgery. The primary goals thus become pain relief and limb salvage over patency. The angiosome concept helps determine the target artery to treat in priority. The endovascular approach has decreased morbidity and mortality rates compared to distal bypass surgery; while subintimal retrograde, trans-collateral and loop techniques push the limits of open surgery by reopening the plantar arch, thereby improving run-off. Early restenosis phenomena after angioplasty have been improved by the use of - limus drug eluting balloons and balloon expandable stents in case of flow limiting dissection or recoil with increased limb salvage rates. Moreover, drug-eluting stents have been proposed, and allow a reduction in reintervention and in-stent restenosis rates in short lesions; however, results on amputation rates or survival are limited. Vessel preparation is a key to overcoming some current limitations, including atherectomy, which increases technical success rates and reduces restenosis rates, especially in calcified lesions, chronic total occlusions and restenosis. These advanced techniques in distal endovascular revascularization have revolutionized limb salvage and support the interest of an endovascular first approach in CLI treatment., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The treatment of complex wounds in traumatology is a source of concern for nurses. Negative pressure therapy constitutes a solution for difficult-to-treat situations in the framework of open fractures and loss of limb tissue.

Introduction: Heel coverage requires the surgeon to considerate of multiple parameters: the type of defect, the exposed tissues, the weight-bearing requirements, the donor site morbidity, and the shape of the reconstructed heel allowing at best normal footwear. Although many methods of coverage exist, they are often chosen at the cost of a compromise between all the parameters described. In recent years, perforator freestyle free flaps offer plastic surgeons an unparalleled freedom that can adapt the constraints of the reconstruction while minimizing the functional and scar donor site morbidity., Patients and Methods: We present four cases of heel defect of different origins treated by three types of tailored perforator freestyle free flaps (ALT, TAP and SCIP Flaps). End-to-side anastomosis to the posterior tibial vessels was used in three flaps while one flap was anastomosed to the internal plantar artery in an end-to-end fashion., Results: No postoperative complication occurred. This approach allowed, in all patients, a reconstruction of excellent quality with minimal cicatricial morbidity. All patients were walking effectively at 21 days postoperatively., Conclusion: Perforator freestyle free flaps offer a solution of first choice for heel reconstruction. At the price of a linear hidden scar, they offer a functional, aesthetic and durable coverage., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Aim of the Study: The treatment of chronic osteomyelitis with large skin defects at the foot or the ankle is uneasy. In such cases, free muscular flaps are currently advised but they are less reliable in patients with medical diseases. In such difficult cases we have used the distally based soleus island flap, vascularized with retrograde flow on the posterior tibial artery. The technique and the indications of this flap are discussed., Patients and Method: This flap has been used for seven patients with bone infection and skin defects measuring an average of 10 x 7 cm. The preoperative arteriography had to find the whole three arteries at the leg, with a good distal anastomotic arcade. The soleus muscle was raised with the posterior tibial artery, after it was ligated proximally and dissected up to the tarsal tunnel., Results: All of the seven flaps totally survived, except one that a marginal necrosis treated by excision and iterative dissection of the pedicle for a more distal repositioning. No clinical vascular deficiency was found on the legs. At the last review, all the osteomyelitis were cured., Discussion: The soleus island flap, distally vascularized on the posterior tibial artery, is a reliable flap, useful for the coverage of the distal leg, from the ankle to the very distal foot. Harvesting a major artery at the leg should be weighed against the failure of a free flap in high risk patients.

Embryonic development of arteries of the lower limb results from the union of dorsal and ventral systems, explaining many variations at different levels. Some of these are important to recognize during the radiological exam because they can affect therapeutic management. These variations are most often bilateral and symmetrical predominating at the popliteal and subpopliteal levels. Lippert classified them into three types: normal level of popliteal arterial branching, high division of popliteal artery, hypoplastic or aplastic branching with altered distal supply. The length of the tibioperoneal trunk may also vary, rarely measuring more than 5 cm. We report a case combining three variations, two of them previously described in the literature and the third one not yet reported: our patient presented four arteries due to early bifurcation of the peroneal artery.

Closed ankle injury without fracture is a common finding in the emergency room. Outcome is generally spontaneously favorable, the injury having no long-term clinical impact. Exceptionally, these injuries can be associated with arterial damage. We report a case of an apparently benign closed ankle injury which was found to be associated with serious arterial damage. Forced dorsal flexion of the ankle joint during a traffic accident caused an arterial lesion without any apparent damage to the bone and joints. The posterior tibial artery was interrupted leading to subacute ischemia of the foot. The diagnosis was established 17 days after trauma. Revascularization could not be achieved and leg amputation was necessary. This case illustrates the difficulties encountered in this type of vascular injury. Most cases in the literature have also involved late diagnosis with often serious clinical impact. Clinicians should be aware of this rare complication of apparently benign ankle injury because of the risk of major loss of function.

On sonographic images, the peripheral nerves have a fibrillary structure, ribboned on longitudinal images and ovoid on cross-section images. The nerves travel between the muscle groups, often with blood vessels, or in canals. Recently improved ultrasound devices are able to investigate the peripheral nerves along their entire length, as far as the sonographer has thorough anatomical knowledge, rigorous technique, and, when searching for pathology, good clinical notions. As in Part I on sonography of the peripheral nerves of the upper limbs, published in this journal, the objective of this general review is to present normal and pathological echoanatomy of the peripheral nerves of the lower limbs in an educational way.

Introduction: Livedoid vasculopathy is characterized by early, focal painful purpuric lesions of the lower skin extremities without histologic finding of small vessel vasculitis., Exegesis: A 38-year-old man was seen in our unit for painful purpuric lesions of both feet localized on toes and external sides. Skin biopsy showed dermic vessel thrombosis and endothelial cell proliferation. Lupus anticogulant antibody was positive in association with a heterozygous factor V (Leiden) gene mutation (G1691A). Anticoagulation failed to relieve pain and cutaneous lesions. Intravenous iloprost, a prostacylcin analogous (Ilomedine) was dramatically and rapidly effective in our patient., Conclusion: Livedoid vasculopathy is a cutaneous affection related to vascular thrombotic events in which thrombophilia plays a central role. Iloprost might be an interesting alternative treatment of painful purpuric lesions when anticoagulant treatments are ineffective.

Study Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to report the long term results with arterialisation of the veins of the foot as the final attempt to save an ischaemic limb when classical techniques have proved ineffective or impossible., Patients and Method: From January 1974 to July 2000, 60 arterialisations of the distal veins of the foot were performed in 59 patients with arteritis, associated in 25 of them with diabetes mellitus. There were 41 men and 18 women, their mean age was 72 years (range from 49 to 95 years). There were 50 stage IV patients and 9 stage III patients. The arterialisation was performed by a reversed venous bypass between the femoral or popliteal artery and an internal vein of the foot, after destruction of the valvulas of the forefoot veins. The distal anastomosis was made termino lateral in order to provide tissular nutrition and to avoid blood congestion., Results: The result was considered good when a major amputation was avoided during one year at least, with a bypass permeability longer than one month. Among the 60 arterialisations, 36 were successful (60%), 7 in the short term (between one month and one year), 15 in the medium term (between one and five years), 14 in the long term (more than 5 years). Among the 15 medium-term good results, the mean time of bypass permeability was one year; three patients died, six were lost of follow-up, and six were still alive, four of them with a permeable bypass, at the time of the study. Among the 14 long term results, spontaneous bypass occlusion occurred after a 26-month mean time; despite this occlusion, the favourable result persisted till the death of the patient after a mean delay of 9 years (range from 5 to 15 years). The 24 other patients had a poor result followed by a major amputation. There were no deaths in relation with the reversed circulation., Conclusion: These results suggest that the arterialisation of the distal veins of the foot may be considered a useful revascularization technique for limb salvage when all the classical methods have failed or are impossible.

Diabetes mellitus is the chief medical cause of amputation. The risk of amputation is 15-fold higher in diabetic subjects and 5 out of 6 amputees are diabetic. Among the three risk factors for amputation in diabetic patients-neuropathy, ischemia, and infection-ischemia is the most difficult to quantify. Thus, functional and/or distal foot arteriopathy may be present without any clinical symptoms long before trophic changes occur. Therefore additional vascular explorations, including measurement of systolic toe pressure, must be performed. Physical examination is sufficient to diagnose lower limb arterial disease when ankle pulses are missing, but severe foot ischemia may be present despite minimal clinical signs and normal ankle pulses. Mediacalcinosis alters ankle pressure. Toe pressure is the most reliable test for quantifying ischemia of the diabetic foot. Other investigations such as TcPO(2) measurement, laser-Doppler and capillaroscopy are useful for revealing early functional diabetic microangiopathy, but they can only be done and interpreted in specialized centers.

We report the case of a patient with isolated plantar thrombophlebitis as a post operative complication of saphenectomy. Risk factors such as prolonged bed rest, perioperative inflammation and surgery of the greater saphenous vein itself should be considered. Moreover multiple episodes of superficial venous thrombosis had already occurred as complication of the superficial venous insufficiency. Literature on this unusual outcome is lacking. Ultrasound imaging revealed this superficial thrombosis. Usual echographic signs (non compressible vein, hypoechogenicity of the vessel lumen) can be found. The main problem is to differentiate veins from adjacent tendinous structures. Slow mobilisation of the toes and comparative analysis on contralateral foot are helpful. Thrombosis of the plantar veins must be considered as a possible diagnosis of unexplained plantar unilateral pains. Development of ultrasonic investigations and knowledge of its occurrence could further improve its diagnosis.

Vascularization of the foot was studied using 50 intraoperative arteriograms on single legs and 50 cadaver injections. Arterial vascularization was shown to depend on supramalleolar anastomoses, the primary plantar arch and secondary arches. Anastomotic routes are essential for the permeability of femorotibial bypasses and cicatrization of distal trophic lesions when only one tibial artery remains permeable and must be revascularized.

The purpose of this study was to determine the respective contributions of microcirculatory dysfunction and mechanical stresses to the pathogenesis of neurogenic trophic lesions. All patients with polyneuropathy complicated by cutaneous or osteoarticular trophic lesions (perforating forefoot ulcers, neurogenic osteoarthropathy) were eligible for the study. Patients with vascular, articular or neurological disorders other than the polyneuropathy were excluded. Digital photoplethysmography was used to evaluate microcirculatory reactivity. Electronic podometry was performed for static and dynamic foot pressure studies. A technetium-99m bone scan was done to look for evidence of neurogenic osteoarthropathy. The study included 35 patients (16 with alcohol abuse, 7 with diabetes mellitus, 10 with both disorders, one with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and one with neuropathy of unknown etiology). Cutaneous or osteoarticular trophic lesions were correlated with the presence of static podoscopic abnormalities (dynamic abnormalities apparently had no influence per se). Digital vasoplegia was found in 8 of 35 patients (23%) and was closely correlated (p < 0.0001) with severity of the osteoarthropathy. These data suggest that mechanical factors play the central role in the production of neurogenic trophic lesions and that microcirculatory dysfunction may be a marker for severe neurogenic osteoarthropathy rather than a causative factor.

When arterial bypass cannot be used in cases of diabetic arteriopathy of the lower limbs, we have, since 1974, relied on the former method using the veins. Arterial blood is brought to the zone of ischaemia via an internal saphenous vein graft anastomosed distally to a vein in the foot, thus creating an arteriovenous fistula. Improvements in the technique include removing the valves in the dorsal venous arcade. Fourteen bypasses were performed in 13 diabetic patients with foot necrosis, including 12 with non-insulin dependent diabetes. There were 7 men and 6 women with a mean age of 83 years. The bypass was patent with a mean follow-up 15 months. At mean follow-up of 4 years (range 4 months-12 years), there were 9 successful operations and 5 failures. Two-thirds of the feet were saved more than 2 years including one more than 5 years and two more than 10 years. One patient died 4 days after the operation due to myocardial infarction. Heart failure was not observed in any of the patients. This technique can help preserve lower limbs otherwise compromised by insufficient arterial blood supply.

Perforating ulcers of the foot occurring in leprosy are frequent, chronic, often giving mutilations. They usually affect the adult. Plantar ulcer occurred in a 15 year-old young patient affected by tuberculoid leprosy has incited us to report it.

Looking at the bibliography of the venous sole of the foot (Lejars), the authors point out the opposite convictions concerning this structure. For some ones, it doesn't exist, but fort the others, it is a very important network of tiny veins, such as it was described by Lejars himself. However, all this studies, are made upon cadavers, injected or not, and must be compared with results from living people by the mean of angiography, non invasive Vascular Assessment, or RMN, which take in account vasomotricity.

By their tensing and relaxation, the muscles of the leg are thought to be responsible for compressing and relaxing the vascular walls and the lumen of vessels. In order to study the way the muscle structure of the lower limb (in particular the leg and the foot) functions, it is necessary to understand the step and break down its components. The weight of the body is transmitted to the ground by the astralagus which distributes the different forces throughout the fives systems of ossei trabeculae of the astralagus and the heel. The valgus heel determines a continuous traction on the tendon and the hind leg muscle which determines with time a dragging of the foot. When the body goes forward, the weight levels the transverse fore arch. The flexor muscles of the toes bend the phalanxes, gripping them to the ground, they avoid the falling forward of the body with the proximal insertion on the tibia. The sesamoids increase the muscles power as well as that of the kneecap on the quadriceps. The internal curvature of the foot on the ground is furthered by the decreasing length of the metatarsal bones. This is counterbalanced by the long fibular muscle which lowers the medial axis and raises the external axis. The supination of the forefoot depends only in part on the varus valgus of the rear of the foot. The plantar aponeurosis and the flexor tendons have an impact on the metatarsi because they increase the power and bring the insert closer. The complex articular system of the feet depends on the extrinsic and intrinsic muscle structure which, at the same time as a position variation can also play an important part in the venous alteration.

Between February 1974 and December 1991, a total of 28 arterializations of the venous network of foot were performed in patients with stage IIIB or IV arteriopathies presenting disseminated femoropopliteal and more distal lesions excluding revascularization by conventional arterial shunt operations. Two groups of patients could be distinguished. The first group, of 8 patients, underwent arterialization by shunt operation with end to end fistula at the distal part of leg and return blood emptying at the dorsal surface of foot (3 cases). The procedure was successful in 50% of cases after a mean follow up of 76 months. The intervention in the second group, of 20 patients, was by end to side fistula of foot after preoperative countercurrent phlebography and the use of a material better adapted for the destruction of the valves. Results were evaluated as successful in 70% of cases at 31 month follow up. After spontaneous closure of the fistula, the collateral circulation provoked by it was sufficient to conserve the acquired benefit. No deaths or cases of cardiac overload were reported as a result of the intervention. Comparative analysis of results showed that the use of the second procedure allowed amputation to be avoided in more than 2/3rds of cases, provided relief from pain, provoked healing of necrosed areas and permitted renewal of walking. The results of this study have demonstrated that venous arterialization of the foot by this method represents an interesting alternative in the saving of a limb destined for amputation.

The authors consider the Extent of the several anatomical structures which constitute the deep venous network, and the part they can take in the case of deep venous insufficiency. Congenital Vascular diseases are called back in mind when considering Embryology, and point out the extent of the deep venous state; such veins can gather in periarterial plexus, at the muscular Level, and in going past all along main arterial axes. Among all the critical points of these axes, we must keep the popliteal veins, the femoral crossing, and the iliocaval one and elsewhere, the important question of venous valves and communicating and perforating veins. The part of the lymphatic network must be pointed out, because of its extent in the stasis phenomenons.

The author suggests an original and novel method for the surgical treatment of post-thrombotic hypodermatitis, which involves, in association with the elimination of all long reflux vessels, the incision of the skin along the healthy edge of hypodermatitis. This is followed, after the elimination of short reflux vessels from the sub-fascial compartment, by the taking of pieces of sub-fascial aponeurosis which ensure drainage of the hypodermis. After one year, 7 of 12 patients were apparently totally cured. After 2 years, only 2 patients still had slight signs of hypodermatitis. At the present time, patients are followed up with elastic compression of moderate intensity.

The progress made by noninvasive explorations for the assessment of vascular malformations now enables us to better specify the therapeutic strategies. While a watch-and-wait policy and conservative methods remain the most frequent choice, some venous or arteriovenous malformations must lead to contemplating a palliative or curative therapy. Two therapeutic solutions may thus be used, either embolization through an arterial route or, most often, through direct puncture of the malformation, or exeresis surgery, which is sometimes associated aimed at surgery for tissue reconstruction. These techniques may be used alone, but they most often are associated within the scope of a multidisciplinary management of this condition.

The socio-economic, medical and psycho-social consequences of lower-limb injuries in diabetic patients are enormous. The risk of lower extremity amputation is 15 times greater in diabetic patients than in the age-matched non-diabetic population. About 1000 diabetic patients undergo a disabling amputation annually in Switzerland. Implementation of appropriate educational and foot-care programmes by motivated pluridisciplinary teams may reduce major amputations by as much as 50%. Regular examination of the feet of diabetic patients, therefore, deserves the same priority in diabetes care as control of the optic fundus and of kidney function, but unfortunately this is seldom the case. These guidelines summarize the physiopathology, the diagnosis and the treatment of diabetic foot problems. Emphasis is placed on simple preventive measures which should help protect the majority of high-risk patients.

A peroneal fasciocutaneous flap supplied by the peroneal septocutaneous vessels and raised from the lateral side of the lower leg was reported by Yoshimura in 1983. This flap which can be used as a proximally or distally pedicled or free flap is very useful for leg skin coverage. This flap has a great potential for skin cover and composite reconstruction of the lower limb due to its multiple structural facets (cutaneo-aponevrotic or composite flap), its possible extensions to other vascular territories and the variable geometry of its mode of transfer. 8 reconstructions have been performed. Their indications are described: 4 proximally pedicled flaps (3 with the fibula), 4 reverse-flow island flaps (1 with Soleus and Peroneus longus muscles). The authors stress the importance of preoperative assessment of the feasibility of a given flap which may be limited by post-traumatic, surgical or anatomic modifications. In particular, the uppermost septocutaneous artery which corresponds inconstantly to the "circumflex peroneal artery" can only be visualized by preoperative arteriography. This artery supplies a proximal peroneal flap which can be used as an island or a free flap. We have used this new variety as a free flap in 2 cases and were satisfied with the results. These various clinical applications without any significant complication or flap failure confirm the biological performance and the safe procedure of peroneal flaps.

From overall data on 54 diabetic patients, who, over a period of 7 years, underwent operations to save their feet from ischaemia (whether linked or not to infection), the authors study 31 cases of revascularization through arterial bridging in the diabetic's lower limbs. The lesions were identified by doppler examination followed by arteriography. Various types of bridging were undertaken: 24 femoro-popliteal bridges, including 16 super-articular and 8 sub-articular ones; and 7 femoro-distal bridges on the leg artery trunks. For the post operational period, only one amputation, resulting from precocious thrombosis in the graft, had been noted. All the patients had been followed up, and the authors remarked that, after an average lapse of 43 months, actuarial survival without amputation of the lower limb amounted to 94.97% after 7 years, and the level of actuarial permeability of the bridges amounted to 72.61% after the same period. The authors stress that revascularization indications should be the same for atheromatous diabetics as for non diabetics.

Defects of the skin of the heel need to be repaired by skin which is both thick and sensitive. A technique of isolation of an island flap from the non-weight-bearing part of the medial side of the sole is described. It is vascularised by the medial plantar artery and innervated by the medial plantar nerve. Lesions of the heel, the medial malleolus and the lower part of the tendo Achilles can be covered by a one-stage surgical procedure without microsurgical suture.

The author presents the 50 first cases of his serie of by-passes on legs and feet arteries. The various stages of the angiography, anesthesia and operation technique are discussed. The results are divided into three groups; the by-passes always permeable, the patients deceased from another disease still with a permeable by-pass, and the precocious or late failures. The latter are studied more in detail in order to bring out, the reasons of failures and the factors which could improve the present results. The analysis of the results, compared to those of the published cases, shows a satisfying percentage of good results, seen the symptoms and lesions.

The prognosis and treatment of a diabetic foot depend on the extent of the lesions. If infected, these lesions are always mixed, secondary to aerobic and anaerobic bacteroides. The antibiotic treatment must be well adjusted and applied for a long enough time. It is absolutely necessary, for the treatment to be effective, to know the level of the ischemia in order to decide whether a lesion or an amputation scar will heal without revascularization. The author discusses various non-invasive examinations. Today, distal revascularization if possible due to new surgical techniques. But, one must emphasize that the patency of an adequate by-pass is definitely longer than the survival of a diabetic patient, in general. A accurate diagnosis and a multiudiscipline treatment will therefore improve the quality of the survival of the patient.