Related Experiment Videos
Threatened limb from stingray injury
Timothy P Shiraev1, Damian Marucci2, Gabrielle McMullin1
11 Department of Vascular Surgery, St George Hospital, Australia.
Vascular
|September 23, 2016
Summary
A stingray injury caused critical limb ischemia, leading to gangrene. Prostaglandin E1 infusion and limb-sparing surgery successfully treated the condition, avoiding major amputation.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Trauma Medicine
- Podiatric Surgery
Background:
- Stingray envenomation can lead to severe vascular compromise.
- Critical limb ischemia necessitates prompt and effective intervention to prevent tissue loss.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old female presented with dry gangrene of the medial forefoot secondary to stingray injury occluding the dorsalis pedis artery.
- Initial recommendation was below-knee amputation due to extensive tissue damage.
Findings:
- Prostaglandin E1 infusion improved perfusion and alleviated pain, enabling limb salvage.
- Surgical intervention included toe amputation, metatarsal head preservation with a cross-over flap, and Achilles tendon lengthening.
Implications:
- This case underscores the effectiveness of prostaglandin E1 in managing critical limb ischemia from marine envenomation.
- A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for optimizing outcomes and avoiding major amputations in complex vascular injuries.