Bilateral Ankle Fusion in Leak Syndrome Induced Deformity

Bilateral Ankle Fusion in Leak Syndrome Induced Deformity ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare condition of unknown etiology defined by sudden episode of hypotension, high hematocrit and low serum protein concentration due to capillary hyperpermeability. Several treatments have been published for this pathology and eventual compartment syndrome but not for the disabling consequences. This clinical case highlights the negative orthopaedic consequences of a severe systemic attack and reports a subsequent deformity treatment option that resulted in patient quality of life improvement. To our knowledge, orthopaedic surgery for systemic capillary leak syndrome induced foot and ankle deformity is presented for the first time. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old caucasian female patient was referred to our institution for bilateral foot and ankle deformity after compartment syndrome during systemic capillary leak syndrome attack. She presented a bilateral rigid equino-cavo-varus-adductus deformity causing walk impairment. Bilateral ankle fusion by retrograde nailing was performed in a two-staged procedure. Rigid claw toes were also surgically addressed in an additional procedure. Radiologically, apparent ankle fusion occurred at 3 months post-op in both sides. Deformity correction allowed the patient to regain walking capacity. A right ankle tibiotalar failed arthrodesis was noticed at 24 months post-op. Prophylactic human immunoglobulin therapy was initiated after the last surgery with no recurrent attack registered during the 38 months follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Bilateral ankle fusion improved this patient quality of life by restituting walking capacity and lowering the probability of lower limb deformity related ulcers and infections. Major and minor complications are also discussed. This report contributes to the global knowledge about this syndrome and elicits the importance of the induced deformities surgical correction. Keywords: systemic capillary leak syndrome, (SCLS), compartment syndrome, equino-varus, ankle fusion, ankle retrograde nailing, human immunoglobulin. INTRODUCTION Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS), describedby Clarkson et al. in 1960 [1], is a rare condition defined by sudden episodes of hypovolemic shock, elevated hematocrit and hypoalbuminemia without albuminuria [2, 3]. The etiology is still unknown, although several possible triggers have been reported as upper respiratory tract infections, sustained physical effort and menstruation [1, 4]. It results in generalized or segmental edema and, in severe cases,compartment syndrome requiring emergent fasciotomy [2-5]. The sudden intracompartimental high pressure often originates vascular and neurological damage and consequent lower limb deformity [3, 6]. Prolonged hospital stay may also aggravate this condition with osteoporosis following a long-term immobilization or limb disuse. Deformity frequently leads to walk impairment and decreased quality of life [7]. A few retrospective studies report ankle fusion for correction of compartment syndrome induced deformity. None of them included SCLS etiology for compartment syndrome [6,7]. Several treatments have been published for SCLS and compartment syndrome [1-5] but not for the disabling consequences. To our knowledge, orthopaedic surgery for SCLS induced foot and ankle deformity is presented for the first time. CASE PRESENTATION A 40-year-old caucasian female patient was referred to our institution due to bilateral foot and ankle deformity. She had been previously diagnosed with systemic capillary leak syndrome after sudden episode of hypotension, high hematocrit and low serum protein concentration. This acute phase was managed by fluid resuscitation.The consequent generalized compartment syndrome was treated with extensive fasciotomies of both arms, forearms, hands, thighs and legs. She stayed three weeks in the intensive care unit and eight months hospitalized. Although an intense physical therapy program was applied, she was unable to walk and autonomy was limited to a wheelchair. On examination she presented a bilateral severe stiff equino-cavo-varus-adductus deformity with retraction due to subcutaneous and muscle scarring and neurological deficit. Claw hallux and lesser toes were also present bilaterally. Plantigrade weight bearing was not possible (Fig. 1). American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 20 points. Plain radiographs showed bilateral equinovarus ankle deformity with supinated feet (Fig. 2). Achilles, posterior tibial and flexor digitorum longus tendons lengthening was performed by medial approach associated to right tibio-talocalcaneal arthrodesis with a retrograde locked intramedullary nail (PANTA ® IntegraTM) by lateral approach. Distal fibula bone was used as an autograft. At 8 weeks of follow-up, plastic surgery applied a free skin graft over a persistent post-operative medial blister (Fig. 3). Apparent fusion was obtained at three months post-operatively (Fig. 4). Six months after the initial surgery, fusion of the left ankle was performed in exactly the same fashion. Surgical wound dehiscence was the short-term complication and was resolved with dressing changes. Fusion was obtained at three months post-operatively. (Fig. 4). Fourteen months after the first surgery, we documented recurrent dorsal proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints inflammation with shoe wear. Right foot Moberg osteotomy, resection arthroplasty of PIP joints and flexor tendon tenotomy of all the lesser toes were performed. Left foot Moberg osteotomy, PIP joints fusion of the 2nd and 3rd toes with intramedullary guide implant (Ipp-On ® IntegraTM), PIP joints resection arthroplasty of the 4th toe and flexor tendon tenotomy of all the lesser toes were performed. Failure of the left hallux Moberg osteotomy staple caused hardware removal at 6 weeks post-op (Fig. 5). The rehabilitation protocol included immediate weight-bearing with walking boots and lower limb drainage. Prophylactic human immunoglobulin therapy was initiated after the last surgery. She regained walking capacity with balanced shoes and returned to work four months after left foot surgery. AOFAS score was 61 points. No toes related complaints, pressure ulcers or terminal necrosis of the toes were found. Twenty-four months after initial surgery she complained of right ankle pain de novo with weight bear and local swelling. Radiologically, failed arthrodesis with tibiotalar and subtalar bone reabsorption, peri-implant proximal radiolucency and distal calcaneus screw fracture were shown (Fig. 6). No local drainage or blood test infection parameters were found. Only symptomatic treatment and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed. At 38 months of follow-up the patient refers no significant right ankle pain and no SCLS attacks recurrence were registered. DISCUSSION This high-risk patients and the unpredictable course of the disease required a multidisciplinary treatment options discussion. The patient never accepted irreversible autonomy loss and was aware of all the possible negative surgery consequences when she signed the surgery consent. There are few treatment options for long-term sequelae of compartment syndrome that include arthroscopic assisted arthrodesis, fusion with external fixator or internal devices such as plates or intramedullary nails. Arthroscopic arthrodesis is an excellent option when sparing the soft tissues is needed, however, this correction is limited to mild deformities. External fixation represents a serious risk of pin tract infection with no consensus about prevention treatment [8] and therefore we advocate as a potential risk for SCLS relapse. Fusion with plate and screws implies a considerable aggression to the already damaged soft tissues, although it represents a high stiffness construct. The authors managed this clinical case as an equino-varus-cavo-adductus deformity after lower extremity compartment syndrome. Retrograde nailing avoided extensive striping and Berend et al. has demonstrated better biomechanics stiffness compared to crossed screws [9]. Wang et al. [6] described excellent satisfaction rate after retrograde nailing for lower extremity compartment sequelae. No tendinous transfers were considered due to neurological deficit, scarred muscles and stiff joints. Claw toes deformity has a high risk of pressure ulcers by shoe wear conflict. Local infection in SCLS patients may represent a potential trigger for relapse and therefore must be corrected. Considering the stiff interphalangeal joints, hallux claw deformity was managed by bilateral Moberg osteotomy. Lesser toes were addressed by resection arthroplasty of PIP joints with the exception of the stiffer left second and third toes that were fixated with an intramedullary guide implant [10]. Fusion rate of only 50% (1/2 ankles) was low compared to another published study that show rates around 91% of primary bony union after bilateral ankle arthrodesis. However, none of these patients had post-compartment syndrome ankle deformity and related sequelae [11]. With no signs of infection, late failed arthrodesis may be related to compartment syndrome, local vascular and neurological damage, technical error or even SCLS per se. Three minor complications were registered. One large posteromedial blister required skin grafting six weeks after right ankle procedure. A left ankle lateral surgical wound dehiscence healed by secondary intention only with dressing changes. Failure of left hallux Moberg osteotomy staple was managed by hardware removal. These complications are relatively common and have been previously described in foot and ankle deformity correcting arthrodesis [6, 12]. They are usually due to poor skin and vascular conditions. No delayed weight bearing was noticed in rehabilitation program due to prompt and successful treatment. Concerning deformity correction, the results were very satisfactory. The AOFAS score increased from 20 to a total of 61 points even after tibio-talocalcaneal arthrodesisthat does not allow any hind foot movement. Moreover, the painless plantar support permitted walking without crutches after 24 months confined to wheelchair. Returning to work was also an important milestone for this patient. At 38 months of follow-up the patient is now asymptomatic with minor local right ankle edema and no walking limitation. Radiologically the bone reabsorption appears to have stabilized. Anecdotal evidence has shown good results in ankle arthrodesis revision after compartment syndrome [6]. However, one must consider unpredictable consequences of fusion revision in a SCLS patient, including a severe attack during the anaesthesia or post-op infection with potential lethal consequences. This patient has been diagnosed with idiopathic form of SCLS. Although no direct cause was identified she had been taking azithromycin for a respiratory tract infection which may represent a potential trigger [4,13]. Monoclonal gammopathy was also present at follow-up lab blood tests as seen in more than 90% of cases [2, 4]. There are several possible prophylactic treatments, which include B2-agonists, thalidomide, calcium channel blockers and chemotherapy with limited evidence considering the rarity of the disease. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered in the last 12 months of follow-up with no relapses adding to the hypothesis that this may represent an effective prophylaxis [4,14]. CONCLUSION Bilateral ankle fusion improved this SCLS patient functional outcome by restituting the walking capacity. One late failed arthrodesis was the major complication and may require a secondary procedure although the patient is currently asymptomatic. Four surgeries were performed with no SCLS attacks recurrence registered at 38 months follow-up period. 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