The role of negative pressure wound therapy in salvaging a six-year-old child's crushed foot — A case report. Issue 1 (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Begkas, Dimitrios; Michelarakis, John; Mirtsios, Hristos; Deimedes, Panagiotis; Bougiouklis, Dimitrios
• Is Part Of: Foot and ankle surgery. Volume 24:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: e1
• Page End: e6
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Children trauma -- Foot -- Limb salvage -- Mangled extremity -- Negative pressure wound therapy; Foot -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Ankle -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Ankle -- surgery -- Periodicals; Foot -- surgery -- Periodicals; Ankle -- Surgery; Foot -- Surgery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.58
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2017.10.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1268-7731

Abstract

Highlights: Mangled extremity scoring systems are not always predictive of limb amputation. In children mangled extremity scoring systems need more comprehensive analysis. NPWT offers a good option for the management of crushed extremity injuries. Abstract: Crushed extremity is an infrequent injury in children and represents a major challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Sometimes the decision making process, whether to amputate or save a limb, is very difficult. Several scoring systems have been developed in order to determine the fate of crushed extremities, but they are not always predictive when patients are children. In the past few years, advances in bone and soft tissue reconstruction techniques have improved outcomes, even in the most extreme cases. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy has become an accepted option in the treatment of crushed limbs. We report a 6-year-old child with a crushed left foot from the running chain of his father's motorcycle. Early revascularization and stabilization along with multiple debridement and the application of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy leaded to salvage of the child's limb. At the end of one year follow up, he presented a very good functional and aesthetic result. Level of clinical evidence: "4".