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. 2014:2014:672897.
doi: 10.1155/2014/672897. Epub 2014 Feb 2.

Wound morphology and topography in the diabetic foot: hurdles in implementing angiosome-guided revascularization

Dimitri Aerden  1 , Nathalie Denecker  2 , Sarah Gallala  3 , Erik Debing  3 , Pierre Van den Brande  3
Affiliations

Wound morphology and topography in the diabetic foot: hurdles in implementing angiosome-guided revascularization

Dimitri Aerden et al. Int J Vasc Med. 2014.

Abstract

Purpose. Angiosome-guided revascularization is an approach that improves wound healing but requires a surgeon to determine which angiosomes are ischemic. This process can be more difficult than anticipated because diabetic foot (DF) wounds vary greatly in quantity, morphology, and topography. This paper explores to what extent the heterogeneous presentation of DF wounds impedes development of a proper revascularization strategy. Methods. Data was retrieved from a registry of patients scheduled for below-the-knee (BTK) revascularization. Photographs of the foot and historic benchmark diagrams were used to assign wounds to their respective angiosomes. Results. In 185 limbs we detected 345 wounds. Toe wounds (53.9%) could not be designated to a specific angiosome due to dual blood supply. Ambiguity in wound stratification into angiosomes was highest at the heel, achilles tendon, and lateral/medial side of the foot and lowest for malleolar wounds. In 18.4% of the DF, at least some wounds could not confidently be categorized. Proximal wounds (coinciding with toe wounds) further steered revascularization strategy in 63.6%. Multiple wounds required multiple BTK revascularization in 8.6%. Conclusion. The heterogeneous presentation in diabetic foot wounds hampers unambiguous identification of ischemic angiosomes, and as such diminishes the capacity of the angiosome model to optimize revascularization strategy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Composite image of all wounds showing predisposing areas. Likelihood to contain wounds varies from red (most likely) to blue (least likely).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of atherosclerotic lesions on angiography (n = 185).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Examples of wounds with ambiguous angiosome categorization. (a), (b), (c), (e) Circumferential necrosis, wounds located at the tip or interdigital webspace, and nonhealing amputation sites do not allow differentiation between angiosomes derived from the anterior and posterior tibial artery. (d) Territories such as the achilles tendon are not equivocally associated with a particular angiosome. (f), (g) Wounds that extend into an adjacent angiosome, or lie on the verge of two angiosomes. (h), (i) Two pictures of the same foot showing multiple wounds (dorsal, medial malleolar, and heel) residing in different angiosomes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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