Comparison of Two Techniques for Proximal Margin Analysis of Toe Amputations: a Retrospective Review

Toe amputations are a common podiatric procedure for treatment of osteomyelitis. Whether or not the surgeon obtains a surgical cure, thus resolving the infection, can be difficult to assess. Obtaining a proximal bone margin can assist the treatment team in deciding the duration of postoperative antibiotics, need for re-operation, and postoperative care. The two senior surgeons use different methods to analyze proximal bone margins. The first surgeon obtains a microbiologic culture from the remaining bone, either at the proximal phalanx or metatarsal head, following the removal of the toe to be reviewed for osteomyelitis.
Source: Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Tags: Original Research Source Type: research