A Randomized Controlled Trial of Three Noninvasive Analgesic Techniques for the Prevention of Pain During Facial Injections.

BACKGROUND: Injections are associated with a certain amount of pain, the tolerance of which can vary between individuals. With regard to noninvasive pain control techniques in subcutaneous injections, few studies with adequate levels of evidence and design quality exist to support any specific analgesic method. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of 3 noninvasive analgesic techniques (cold, anesthetic cream, and vibration) during subcutaneous forehead injections in 100 healthy volunteers. METHODS: This randomized, single-blind, controlled trial comprised 100 healthy volunteers. Every patient received 4 forehead injections of 0.1 mL physiological saline through 29G needles after 1 of 3 noninvasive analgesic techniques (cold, vibration, or anesthetic cream) or control treatment was applied to each injection site. The results were evaluated through a survey that included a visual analog scale for pain measurements. RESULTS: All analgesic methods demonstrated better pain control than the no-treatment arm (P < 0.001), of which vibration performed better than the other analgesic techniques (P < 0.015 vs cold and P < 0.015 vs anesthetic cream). No differences were observed between cold and anesthetic cream. The average amount of pain per injection in males was higher than in females (P < 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Vibration analgesia effected significantly better pain control than cold and anesthetic cream. Nevertheless, the choice of anesthetic method should be adapted to the preferences and experiences of each patient to optimize pain control in procedures that involve subcutaneous injections.

Reconstruction of Middle-Third Helical Traumatic Defects With a Two-Stage Approach: Retroauricular Flap and Costal Graft.

In this article, we describe the case of a patient suffering from middle-third helical rim avulsion after a bicycle accident, which was reconstructed with a two-stage procedure: (1) performing a postauricular pedicled flap and (2) reconstruction using a costal graft. The article also includes a brief summary of recommendations in the scientific literature about the reconstruction of middle-third auricular defects.

Management of Hand Burn With Pedicled Converted Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap.

The upper limb is involved in burns in a high percentage of cases and its reconstruction is extremely important, given the functional impact of this anatomical region. Among the reconstruction choices for severe and large structural defects, the pedicled anterolateral thigh flap is an available option. This case study discusses the utilization of the pedicled anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of a complex full-thickness hand burn, when adequate arterial perforators were not available. Complex hand burns can often present challenges for reconstructive coverage, because of the complex anatomy of the upper extremity and the need to preserve as much function as possible. The use the anterolateral thigh free flap is one option that can be utilized for coverage of these large hand defects, in the face of poor local tissue advancement options. The finding of inadequate or lack of perforator vessels necessitates intraoperative changes in the surgical approach. In these cases, different alternatives exist depending on the dimensions and characteristics of the required coverage, the dissection of a pedicled flap being one of them. The pedicled anterolateral thigh flap represents an alternative for the coverage of large hand defects in the absence of valid perforators during free-flap dissection.

Masseter-to-Facial Nerve Transfer for Reanimation of a Patient With Long-Term Facial Paralysis.

Facial paralysis is a condition caused by a wide variety of etiologies, including neurologic, congenital, infectious, neoplastic, systemic, and iatrogenic causes. A patient suffering from long-term facial paralysis, with minimal innervation detected through electroneurography, who was successfully reanimated by performing a masseter-to-facial nerve transfer, was presented in this study. Facial paralysis had been caused after resection of an acquired middle ear cholesteatoma more than 5 years before.

Forequarter Amputation, Thoracic Resection, and Reconstruction on Giant Ulcer Due to Locally Advanced Oncological Disease.

We present the case of a 67-year-old man suffering from a squamous cell carcinoma with extensive thoracic locoregional affection measuring 28 cm. After being considered inoperable at another center, he underwent an aggressive tumor resection and coverage with a free latissimus dorsi flap as a palliative reconstructive procedure that allowed for a considerable improvement of his quality of life.

Absorption Capacity of Wound Dressings: A Comparative Experimental Study.

In this study, absorption capacity of the most commonly used types of wound dressings was measured with an objective, quantifiable, and easily reproducible method. The use of objective measurements allowed us to perform an objective comparison of the capacity of the different types of dressings. An experimental study was performed, in which the absorptive capacity of polyurethane foams, alginate, hidrofiber, and hydrocolloid dressings was measured by using a methodology designed by the researchers. Polyurethane foams showed a higher absorption capacity than hidrofibers, alginates, and hydrocolloids when using a similar surface of dressing. A modification of dressing size after saturation was also observed, increasing its size in the case of foams and decreasing or maintaining it in the case of hidrofibers, alginates, and hydrocolloids. The results of this study show a better wound exudate management for polyurethane foams. However, when deciding which dressing to use for a specific wound, absorption capacity is not the only quality that should be taken into account, as other properties should also be considered.

Therapeutic and Reconstructive Approach of Lower Lip Amputation After Human Bite: Case Report.

In this article, we describe the case of a patient suffering from labial avulsion after a human bite, initially treated with direct closure and reconstructed surgically later on. Also, a brief summary of existent recommendations in scientific literature about the management of bite wounds is provided.

Desbridamiento enzimático con Nexobrid® en el paciente quemado: exposición de manejo terapéutico a propósito de un caso / Desbridamento enzimático com Nexobrid® no paciente queimado: exposição do manejo terapêutico e relato de caso / Enzymatic debridement in the burn patient with Nexobrid®: exposition of therapeutic management and case report

Objetivo: Exponer el manejo terapéutico del desbridante enzimático Nexobrid® a través de un caso representativo. Reporte del caso: Se expone el caso de un paciente varón de 43 años que sufre quemaduras circulares de segundo grado profundo en ambas manos por flash eléctrico y llama, que fue tratado mediante desbridamiento enzimático con Nexobrid®, sin llegar a precisar de la realización de injertos cutáneos. Se alcanzó la epitelización completa de las lesiones 28 días tras la quemadura, sin realizarse injertos cutáneos, y logrando una buena calidad cicatricial, sin aparición de limitaciones funcionales. Consideraciones finales: El desbridamiento enzimático con Nexobrid® es un nuevo recurso terapéutico que permite realizar un desbridamiento completo y específico del tejido quemado, sin precisar de la logística de un quirófano. Pese a los buenos resultados reportados en la literatura reciente, los beneficios del uso del desbridante enzimático Nexobrid®, todavía han de ser respaldados por mayor cantidad de estudios con un adecuado nivel de evidencia.

Objetivo: Expor o manejo terapêutico do agente de debridamento enzimático Nexobrid® em um caso representativo. Relato de caso: Relatamos o caso de um homem de 43 anos com queimaduras profundas de segundo grau em ambas as mãos causadas por flash elétrico e chama, que foi tratada por desbridamento enzimático com Nexobrid®, sem a necessidade de enxerto de pele. Epitelização completa foi obtida 28 dias após a queimadura, sem a necessidade de realizar enxertos na pele, conseguindo uma boa qualidade da cicatriz, sem qualquer limitação funcional após 102 dias de seguimento. Considerações finais: O desbridamento enzimático com Nexobrid® é um novo recurso terapêutico que permite um desbridamento completo e específico de tecidos queimados, sem requerer a logística de uma cirurgia. Apesar dos bons resultados relatados na literatura recente, os benefícios deste tratamento devem ser respaldados por uma ampla gama de estudos com níveis adequados de evidência.

Objective: To expose the therapeutic management of the enzymatic debriding agent Nexobrid® through a representative case. Case report: We expose the case of a 43 year-old male suffering from circular deep second degree burns in both hands caused by electric flash and flame, who was treated through enzymatical debridement with Nexobrid®, without the need of skin grafting. Complete epithelialization was achieved 28 days after the burn, without the need to perform skin grafting, achieving good scar quality, without any functional limitation after 102 days follow-up. Final considerations: Enzymatical debridement with Nexobrid® is a new therapeutic resource which allows for a complete and specific debridement of burned tissues, without requiring the logistics of a surgery. Despite the good results reported in recent literature, the benefits of this treatment must be supported by a wider range of studies with adequate levels of evidence.

Recomendaciones de rehabilitación en el paciente quemado: revisión de literatura / Recomendações de reabilitação para paciente queimado: revisão da literatura / Rehabilitation recommendations in the burn patient: literature review

OBJETIVO: Realizar una revisión bibliográfica acerca de la rehabilitación en el paciente quemado, sintetizando las recomendaciones expuestas por los documentos de consenso internacionales y la bibliografía reciente. Además, exponemos la manera en que estas recomendaciones se han aplicado en la Unidad de Grandes Quemados del Hospital La Fe, en forma de un protocolo multidisciplinar de rehabilitación intensiva. MÉTODO: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica de la literatura existente y los consensos internacionales centrados en el ámbito de la rehabilitación en el paciente quemado. Seguidamente, se relata la forma en que estas recomendaciones fueron implementadas en la Unidad de Grandes Quemados del Hospital La Fe de Valencia; en forma de un protocolo de rehabilitación intensivo y multidisciplinar. RESULTADOS: La bibliografía revisada refuerza los argumentos en favor del desarrollo y aplicación de protocolos de rehabilitación intensiva en las unidades de quemados para la mejora de los resultados funcionales de los pacientes. La experiencia en nuestra unidad en la cual se aplica un protocolo de este tipo coincide con los buenos resultados reportados. CONCLUSIONES: La aplicación precoz de una terapia rehabilitadora intensiva resulta clave a la hora de prevenir y tratar las posibles complicaciones funcionales y secuelas producidas por las quemaduras. Este tratamiento rehabilitador interdisciplinar se ha de centrar en la prevención de problemas a largo plazo, como las contracturas, la cicatrización anómala, deformidades, atrofia muscular, limitación de movilidad y otros problemas que merman la función física. Su utilización en cualquier unidad de quemados, permitirá optimizar los resultados funcionales de nuestros pacientes.(AU)

Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão da literatura científica sobre a reabilitação do paciente queimado, resumindo as recomendações estabelecidas por documentos de consenso internacional e na literatura recente. Além disso, apresentamos como essas recomendações foram implementadas na Unidade de Grandes Queimados do Hospital La Fe, na forma de um protocolo de reabilitação intensivo multidisciplinar. Método: Pesquisa bibliográfica da literatura e do consenso internacional existente centrado no campo da reabilitação no paciente queimado. Foi relatado como as recomendações internacionais foram implementadas para a prática dentro da unidade para atendimento ao grande queimado, no Hospital La Fe, no formato de um protocolo de reabilitação intensivo multidisciplinar. Resultados: A literatura existente reforça o desenvolvimento e implementação de protocolos de reabilitação intensiva em unidades de queimados para melhorar os resultados funcionais dos pacientes. A experiência em nossa unidade, em que esse tipo de protocolo é aplicado, corresponde aos bons resultados descritos na literatura. Conclusões: A aplicação antecipada de terapia de reabilitação intensiva é fundamental para a prevenção e tratamento de complicações e possíveis consequências funcionais causadas por queimaduras. Este tratamento interdisciplinar de reabilitação tem de se concentrar na prevenção de problemas de longo prazo, tais como contraturas, cicatrizes anormais, deformidades, atrofia muscular, dificuldade de locomoção e outros problemas que prejudicam a função física. Seu uso em qualquer unidade de queimados irá otimizar os resultados funcionais dos nossos pacientes.(AU)

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To perform a bibliographic review about rehabilitation of the burn patient, summarizing recommendations provided by international consensus documents and the most recent evidence. Moreover, we present the method in which this recommendations have been applied to the Great Burns Unit of the Hospital La Fe, in the format of a interdisciplinary intensive rehabilitation protocol. METHOD: A bibliographic search was performed among existent literature and international consensus documents focused on the field of burn patient rehabilitation. Following, the way in which this recommendations were applied at the Great Burns Unit of the Hospital La Fe of Valencia are presented in the shape of an intensive and multidisciplinar rehabilitation protocol. RESULTS: Reviewed bibliography supports the development and application of intensive rehabilitation protocols in burn units for the improvement of the functional results of their patients. The experience in our unit in which this sort of protocol is applied, matches the good results described in literature. CONCLUSIONS: Early intensive rehabilitation therapy is a key stone when it comes to prevention and treatment of functional complications. This interdisciplinary approach must focus in prevention of long term complications, such as contractures, abnormal scarring, deformities, muscular atrophy, mobility limitations and other issues which can decrease physical function. Its utilization in a Burn Unit, will help optimize functional results of their patients.(AU)