An improved bone transport surgical method for treating chronic ischemic ulcers (thromboangiitis obliterans)

INTRODUCTION: The chronic ischemic injury of the upper/lower limbs caused by thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO, Buerger's disease) is difficult to heal, leading to high morbidity and amputation risk, seriously lowering the quality of life of patients. So far, the pathogenesis of this disease is still not clear, and there are still no effective therapeutic approaches. Here, we first use an improved bone transport technique to treat TAO-related foot ulcers and achieve good therapeutic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this report, 22 patients met the inclusion criteria, and we provide an improved bone transport technique to repair TAO-related chronic lower limb wounds, which have a minimally surgical incision and a satisfying surgical field. RESULTS: The improved bone transport technique resulted in TAO-related chronic lower extremity wound healing in most patients (18, M:F 16:2) within the first treatment cycle. All wounds healed completely after two treatment cycles. After these cycles, the cold sensation in the patients’ feet was significantly relieved, and the rest pain in the lower extremities was significantly relieved (Visual Analog Scale, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the Laser Doppler flowmeter showed that the blood perfusion and percutaneous oxygen pressure of the affected foot were higher than in preoperation (P < 0.0001). To conclude, bone transport technology is available for the refractory wounds of the extremity, which may promote healing by increasing blood circulation and tissue oxygen supply. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the improved surgical method of the bone transport technique is worth considering in the treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans–related foot ulcers.