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An extraordinary conference session

February 29, 2024

I have attended innumerable sessions at countless conferences over my career but a late afternoon session on Wednesday 22 November 2023 at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland at the Convention Centre in Dublin will live long in the memory. It ran from 17:00–18:30 hours in a packed…

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Surgical Site Infections in Major Lower Limb Amputation: An International Multicentre Audit (SIMBA): Study Protocol

February 29, 2024

Introduction Background and rationale Surgical site infection (SSI) is a significant potential complication of any surgical procedure, acknowledged by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a leading cause of in-hospital morbidity and mortality.1 In vascular surgery, patients undergoing major lower limb amputation (MLLA) may be at an increased risk of developing…

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A feasibility survey to inform trial design investigating surgical site infection prevention in vascular surgery

February 29, 2024

Introduction Surgical site infection (SSI) is common following vascular surgery, complicating up to 40% of groin incisions and major lower limb amputations (MLLA).1–3 SSI significantly impairs quality of life due to associated pain, reduced mobility, depression and anxiety.4 SSI results in a fourfold increase in the risk of readmission and substantially increases healthcare costs, estimated…

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Pseudoaneurysm of the anterior tibial artery following arthrodesis on a background of ankle joint tuberculosis

February 29, 2024

Abstract A 65-year-old man presented with a 6-week history of worsening right anterior ankle swelling following an ankle arthrodesis. Examination revealed a warm pulsatile 8 cm swelling on the dorsum of the foot. Ultrasound doppler and computed tomography angiography revealed an  8 cm pseudoaneurysm arising from the anterior tibial artery. Fluoroscopic-guided embolisation successfully treated the…

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The FraiLTI (Frailty in chronic Limb-Threatening Ischaemia) Protocol

February 28, 2024

Introduction Frailty, a concept gaining significant attention in recent years, is defined as a clinically recognisable state of increased vulnerability resulting from ageing-associated decline in reserve and function across multiple physiologic systems such that the ability to cope with everyday or acute stressors is compromised.1 Frailty leaves patients vulnerable to stressors such as illness, trauma…

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