Congratulations to our 2026 abstract authors! The abstracts that were accepted for oral or poster presentation during DLS 2026 were published in the International Wound Journal.
TOP 10 ABSTRACTS RECOGNIZED IN HONOR OF GREGORY SCHULTZ, PHD
- Correlation Between Positive MRI Findings and Bone Biopsy Results: A Retrospective Review
Romeo Vences-Leonard, DPM; Jacqueline Donovan, DPM; Danielle Butto, DPM; Diaeddine Madi, DPM; Jacob Wielgomas, MA - Primary Targeted Muscle Reinnervation Confers Equivalent Gait Mechanics Compared With Below-Knee Amputation Alone
Luke Llaurado, MD; Jei Shih, MD; Kishan Shah, MD; Pilar Wisor, MD; Maryam Ganderi, MD - Activating progenitor cells and dermal AVN microcirculation through a Gargorized wound environment reverses ischemia and necrosis, enabling amputation prevention and functional limb restoration.
Bhuvneshwar Garg, MD, PhD, MS - Effectiveness of human cellular Umbilical Tissue Compared to Xenografts in Managing Diabetic Lower Extremity Ulcers in Hospitalized Patients
Chien Chang Chen, PhD; Jaideep Banerjee, PhD; Sarah Richards, DPM; Tim Styche - Gait Asymmetry as an Independent Predictor of Ulceration in Patients with Below-Knee Amputations
Stella Kim, BS; Jie Jung Shih, MS; Maryam Ghaderi, MS; Hannah Soltani, BA; Karen Kim Evans, MD; Richard Youn, MD; John Steinberg, DPM; Jayson Atves, DPM; Christopher Attinger, MD - HbA1c Does Not Predict Lower Extremity Amputation Risk in Patients with End Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis
Nichole Andrade; Hannah Soltani, BA; Kenneth Fan, MD; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Predictors Of Ambulatory Recovery Following Nontraumatic Lower Extremity Reconstruction: The Role Of Comorbidity, Reconstruction, And Discharge Planning
Hannah Soltani, BA; Christopher Ply, BS; Rachel Rohrich, BS; Richard Youn, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD - Co-surgeon Approach Allows for Expanded Indications for Lower Extremity Free Tissue Transfer
Hannah Soltani, BA; Christopher M. Ply, BS; Rachel N. Rohrich, BS; Jessica R. Ong, MD PhD; Leila I. Jones, BA; Richard C. Youn, MD; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Karen K.Evans, MD - Continuous Tissue Oximetry Is Associated with Improved Free Flap Salvage Rates After Operative Re-Exploration in Chronic Lower Extremity Reconstruction
Christopher Ply, BS; Sasha Lasky, MD; Hannah Soltani, BA; Rachel Rohrich, BS; Meghan Currin, BA; Cameron Akbari, MD; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Feed the Flap, Save the Limb, Save the Life: The Impact of Preoperative Malnutrition on Lower Extremity Free Tissue Transfer for Atraumatic Limb Salvage
Finn Tobias, BA; Hannah Soltani BS; Rachel N. Rohrich, BS; Christopher M. Ply, BS; Sami Ferdousian, MS; Ryan P. Lin, MD; Meghan E. Currin, BA; Cameron M. Akbari, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Christopher E Attinger, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD
ABSTRACT POSTERS
Poster numbers are identified in the order they were submitted
- Prevalence and Screening Gaps for Vitamin D Deficiency in the Limb Salvage Population
Hannah Soltani, BA; Cameron Darnell, BS; Ryan Bender, MD; Christopher Ply, BS; Jayson Atves, DPM; John S. Steinberg, MD; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD - How we are distributed as a profession: Analysis of the National Downloadable File and US census data
Jessica Carrillo, DPM; Daniel Ruggiero, DPM; Daria Zucchi, DPM; Andrew Meyr, DPM - Access to podiatric care in Pennsylvania
Sahil Kapadia; Posi Asasolu; Daniel Ruggiero, DPM; Andrew Meyr, DPM - A Dual-Modality Approach for DFU Repair: NPWT Plus Fespixon Cream Improves Healing Dynamics DFU
Tianbo Li, MD; Lei Gao, MD - A Systematic Review of Systemic Treatment Options for Necrobiosis Lipoidica
Sonam Mistry; Michael Payette - Evaluating Endovascular Approach vs. Open Revascularization Approach for Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia needing Diabetic Limb Salvage
Apurwa Shah; Sahil Kapadia; Celine Mbah; Taylor Champ; Mahekkumar Bhut - Home-based exercise to improve functional outcomes in Veterans with a recently healed diabetic foot ulcer
Mary-Claire Roghmann, MD; Odessa Addison, DPT; Steve Prior, PhD; Kiana Trent, DPM; Brock Beamer, MD; Elizabeth Dennis, PhD, RD; Olivia Porcello; Bailey Rammling, MS; Gwen Robinson, MPH; Alison Lydecker, MPH; John Sorkin, MD, PhD; Gloria Izore, DNP - Cost Effectiveness Analysis Comparing Collagen Based Dressings and Skin Substitute Grafts in Treatment of Non-Pressure Ulcerations
Helena Romeo; James McGuire, DPM - Comparison of Healing and Adverse Events Following Dermal Regeneration Template Reconstruction in Acute and Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds
Stephanie Mueller; LaYow Yu; Katherine Goundry; Devin Clegg; Dennis Orgill - Optimizing Antibiotic Therapy Following Toe and Transmetatarsal Amputation in Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis
Netanya Flores, DPM, MS - An Initial Study: Among patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization for PAD/CLTI, do outcomes differ based on how soon a podiatric team becomes involved after the index vascular intervention?
Sahil Kapadia; Posi Asaolu; Chinkal Patel; Amarriah Valentine, MS; Janeen Elagha, DPM - Post-Angioplasty Diabetic Foot Attack: Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor(rhEGF) Versus Conventional Therapy in a Pilot Comparative Case Series
Rafael Cendejas, MD; Erika Celestino, RN, BSN; Diana Camarillo, RN - Performance of Fetal Bovine Dermis in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Insights from Real-World Clinical Use
Yifei Dai, MS; Jessica Evans, MD; Maria Leonard RN, BSN; Yi Arnold, PhD; Paula Searcy - Real-World Use of Fetal Bovine Dermis in Challenging Wound Presentations
Yefie Dai, PhD; Maria Leonard, RN, BSN; Jessica Evans, MD; Yi Arnold, PhD; Paula Searcy - Bilayer Biodegradable Synthetic Matrix for Limb Preservation of Severe Foot Infections Post Surgical Debridement
Nicholas Salerno, DPM; Marvin Mendez, RN, BSN; Anna Warner, RN - Flowable Porcine Urinary Bladder Matrix Complex Wounds: A Multicenter Prospective Study
Malachy Asuku, MD, MBA; Jessica Evans; Michael Cripps, MD; Jeffrey Shupp, MD, FACS; Alysha Oropallo, MD, FACS - The Charcot–Gout–Infection Triad: An Under-recognized Pathway to Limb Loss
Courteney Asase, DPM; Alyson Boudreau, DPM; Caitlin Zarick, DPM - Use of Topical Oxygen Therapy for Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds
Hannah Soltani, BA; Ryan Houlihan; Abigail Anderson, DPM; Alyson Boudreau, DPM; John Steinberg, DPM; Christopher Attinger, MD - Female Sex as a Predictor of Early Mortality After Free Tissue Transfer for Limb Salvage: A Single Institution’s Experience
Hannah Soltani, BA; Christopher Ply, BS; Rachel Rohrich, BS; Cameron Akbari, MD; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Karen Evans, MD - A 14.5-year Experience Of Free Tissue Transfer For Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds: A Focus On Vasculoplastic Approaches Improving Limb Salvage And Patient-reported Outcomes From 417 Flaps At A Tertiary Wound Care Center
Hannah Soltani, BA, Christopher M. Ply, BS, Leila I. Jones, BS, Christopher E. Attinger, MD, Richard C. Youn, MD, Cameron Akbari, MD, Karen K. Evans, MD - “If You’re Not Walking, You’re Dying”: Survival And Ambulation After Functional Lower Extremity Reconstruction
Hannah Soltani, BA; Christopher Ply; Rachel Rohrich, BS; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - When Limb Salvage Fails: Identifying Predictors Of Early Amputation After Microsurgically Successful Free Flap Reconstruction
Hannah Soltani, BA; Christopher Ply, BS; Leila Jones, BS; Rachel Rohrich, BS; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Cameron Akbari, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - AI-Based Assessment of Tissue Characteristics in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Integrating Objective Wound Metrics for Reconstructive Planning
Nichole Andrade; Hannah Soltani, BA; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Kenneth Fan, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Predictors of Split Thickness Skin Graft Failure in Chronic LE Wounds: Our 10-Year Experience
Celina Zhao; Hannah Soltani, BA; Ryan Houlihan, BS; Jayson Atves, DPM; John Steinberg, DPM; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Machine Learning–Based Prediction of Lower Extremity Amputation in Patients with End Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis
Nichole Andrade; Hannah Soltani, BA; Cameron Akbari, MD; Kenneth Fan, MD; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Free Flap Limb Salvage For Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds: Does Gender Influence Outcomes?
Hannah Soltani, BA; Christopher M. Ply, BS; Alexandra Junn, MD; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Cameron Akbari, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD - Computer Vision for Wound Care: A Multitask Deep Learning System for Dressing Recommendation
Nichole Andrade; Hannah Soltani, BA; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Kenneth Fan, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Anemia Screening in a Surgical Wound Clinic Using Transcutaneous Hemoglobin Monitoring
Cameron Darnell, BA; Hannah Soltani, BA; Christopher Ply, BS; Ryan Houlihan, BS; John Steinberg, DPM; Jayson Atves, DPM; Russell Wall, MD; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Transmetatarsal Amputation vs. First Ray Amputation: Comparative Outcomes in Diabetic Limb Salvage
Robert Chubb, DPM; Timmer Hoffmeister, DPM; Christopher Ply; Christopher Attinger, MD; John Steinberg, DPM - Preliminary Outcomes of a Patient Navigator Initiative in a Multidisciplinary Wound Clinic
Cameron Darnell, BA; Hannah Soltani, BA; Christopher Ply, BS; John Steinberg, DPM; Jayson Atves, DPM; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Four Revascularization Attempts of Small Vessel Disease Across Three Institutions: Advocating for Patient Preference in Limb Salvage
Sana Siddiqui, DPM, MS; Jaclyn Wessinger - Percutaneous Endovascular Intervention and Free Tissue Transfer Provides Durable and Functional Limb Salvage in High-Risk Patients: Updated Outcomes of 413 Lower Extremity Reconstructions Over 14 Years
Hannah Soltani, BA; Rachel Rohrich, BS; Christopher Ply, BS; Karen R. Li, MD; Elonay Yehualashet, BS; Christopher Attinger, MD; Richard Youn, MD; Cameron M. Akbari, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Factors Contributing to Prolonged Hospital Stay in Lower Extremity Free Flap Patients: A Retrospective Data Analysis
Christopher Ply; Alexandra Junn, MD; Hannah Soltani, BA; Sarah Kanner, BS; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Cameron Akbari, MD; Stephen Baker, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Predicting the Need for Vascular Surveillance After Lower Extremity Free Tissue Transfer for Limb Salvage: An Updated Analysis
Hannah Soltani, BA; Rachel N. Rohrich, BS; Christopher Ply, BS; Karen R. Li, MD; Sabrina Deleonibus, BS; Jie Jung Shih, BS; Kishan Shah, BS; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Cameron M. Akbari, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD - Optimizing the Use of a Chimeric Anterolateral Thigh Adipofascial Free Flap for Coverage of Recipient Site Anastomosis
Karen R. Li, MD, Hannah Soltani, BA; Rachel N. Rohrich, BS; Anusha Singh, MD, Ryan P. Lin, MD; Sami Ferdousian, MS; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD - Patient-Reported Outcomes and Functional Consequences of Ray Amputations: An Evidence- Based and PROM-Driven Approach for Functional Limb Salvage within the Forefoot
Nori Pham, MD, PhD, MS - Targeted Nerve Interventions in Highly Comorbid Through-Knee Amputees: Advancing Palliative Care for Neuropathic Pain
Christopher Ply, BS; Hannah Soltani, BA; Sami Ferdousian, MS; Danny Chamaa, MS; Ryan Bender, MD; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Grant Kleiber, MD - Function-Driven Algorithmic Approach to the Management of Heel Ulceration in the Chronic Wound Population: A Reconstructive Roadmap for Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Surgeons
Christopher Ply, BS; Kishan Shah, BS; Luke Llaurado, BS; Hannah Soltani, BA; Rachel Rohrich, BS; Jayson Atves, DPM; John Steinberg, DPM; Cameron Akbari, MD; Richard Youn, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD - Biodegradable Bilayer Synthetic Matrix may be appropriate to use on wounds in patients who have undergone deep vein arterialization
Tara Robertson, BSN; Paul Kim, DPM, MS - Efficacy of Intravenous versus Oral Discharge Antibiotics in Reducing Osteomyelitis Recurrence After Lower Extremity Free Tissue Transfer
Rachel Rohrich; Christopher Ply; Hannah Soltani, BA; Esther Kang; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Masked by Minimal Pain: Trauma-Associated Group A Streptococcal Necrotizing Fasciitis in a Low-Risk Patient Successfully Managed Through Aggressive Limb Salvage and Staged Reconstruction
Bianca Boafo, DPM; Alex Fiola, DPM; Samantha Trepal, DPM; Russell Caprioli, DPM - Optimizing uncontrolled versus controlled diabetes mellitus in the perioperative setting for non- traumatic lower extremity free tissue transfer
Finn Tobias, BS; Karen Li, MD; Hannah Soltani, BA; Rachel Rohrich, BS; Ryan Lin, MD; Christopher M. Ply, BS; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Dynamic Offloading Device: A Patient-Centered Solution to Reduce Skin Breakdown
Cameron Darnell, BA; Christopher Ply, BS; Hannah Soltani, BA; Paul Chao, PhD; John Steinberg, DPM; Jayson Atves, DPM; Richard Youn, MD; Christopher Attinger, MD; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Outcomes of Flap Reconstruction for Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Our 14 Year Experience
Hannah Soltani, BA; Priya Meesa, BA; Chrisopher Ply, BS; Leila I. Jones, BS; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD - Following Rehabilitation Recommendations May Improve Outcomes in Highly Comorbid Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Free Flap
Parker Buck, MS; Christopher Ply; Hannah Soltani, BA; Nori Pham; Karen Kim Evans, MD - Use of Muscle Versus Fasciocutaneous Free Flaps in Limb Salvage for Patients with Venous Reflux
Samuel Huffman, MD; Karen Li, MD; Hannah Soltani, BA; Rachel Rohrich, BS; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD - The Use of the Omental Flap for Debilitating Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds
Winnie Li, BS; Hannah Soltani, BA; Rachel N Rohrich, BS; Christopher Ply, BS; Jessica R. Ong, MD PhD; Karen Li, MD; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD - Free Tissue Transfer is Associated with Long-Term Survival Advantage over Below Knee Amputation or Local Flap Reconstruction in the Setting of High Medial Arterial Calcification Burden
Winnie Li, BS; Hannah Soltani, BA; Rachel N Rohrich, BS; Christopher Ply, BS; Ryan Lin, MD; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD - Iterative “Vasculo-Plastic” Protocol Refinement Enables Limb Salvage in a Growing Vasculopat
Rachel Rohrich BS, Hannah Soltani BA, Karen Li, MD, Leila I. Jones, BS; Meghan Currin, BS; Christopher E. Attinger, MD; Richard C. Youn, MD; Cameron Akbari, MD; Karen K. Evans, MD - Characteristics of a Hospital System’s Limb Loss and Preservation Data
Robert Skerker, MD
