Diabetic patients and those with peripheral vascular disease are more prone to developing wounds of the extremities, especially the lower extremity. This is due to reduced blood supply, along with loss of sensation to the toes, feet, and ankles. Left untreated, these wounds often get infected or turn gangrenous. Adequate early management along with diabetic control is key to prevention of complications. Established wounds can also be treated with a combination of debridement, special dressings, and potential reconstruction. This is a carefully mapped-out process which can involve multiple specialties including plastic surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, vascular surgeons, and podiatrists. As the wound expert, the plastic surgeon is well placed to manage these wounds.
Return to function for extremity wounds is variable and depends on the extent and tissues involved. In a pure soft tissue wound, return to full weight bearing for the lower extremity can occur in about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. If there is bony fracture fixation or reconstruction required, full weight bearing may take up to 2 to 3 months to occur, to allow for full healing of the bone.
Midface Lift – Restoring Youth In The Lower Eyelids And Midface
A 65-year-old gentleman with no significant past medical history presented to Dr Adrian complaining of prominent eyebags as well as looking extremely haggard and tired. On examination, he was found to have very prominent lower eyebags, a prominent lid-cheek junction... Read More
Functional Muscle Reconstruction Of The Thigh
A 60-year-old Malay gentleman with no significant past medical history presented to the orthopedic surgeon with left thigh swelling and increasing pain. On examination, he had an indurated, large left thigh lump. An MRI was done which showed an Ill-defined mass involving almost all the muscles of his anterior left thigh... Read More
Mandibular And Tongue Reconstruction Using Double Free Flaps
A 60-year-old gentleman presented to the head and neck surgeon with a mass at the floor of his mouth. A biopsy was done which showed a malignant squamous cell carcinoma. He declined follow up and initially sought traditional treatments... Read More
Bilateral Breast Reconstruction Using Abdominal Free Flaps
A 45-year-old mother of 2 children was diagnosed with left breast cancer, for which a skin-sparing mastectomy (total removal of breast tissue leaving behind the skin envelope) was recommended. Genetic investigations revealed that she had a high genetic risk for development of breast cancer... Read More
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