Infection epidemiology, preventive measures and principles of best practices involving the skin and dressing of patients with a ventricular assist device: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Specific knowledge of several domains for managing care in the driveline externalization area may be necessary for the broader application of left ventricular assist devices. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to map the recommendations for adult patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation. DESIGN: This scoping review, is being registered in the Open Science Framework under DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Q76B3 (https://osf.io/q76b3/). METHOD: Left ventricular assist device coordinators and nurse specialists in dermatology and stomatherapy conducted a scoping review limited to the period between 2015 and 2022. The results of this scoping review will be discussed and presented separately in 3 articles. This third article synthesizes research evidence on the epidemiology of device infections, infection preventive measures, local skin care and dressings in adult patients with left ventricular assist devices. RESULTS: The initial search resulted in 771 studies. Sixty nine met the eligibility criteria and were included in the scoping review. Eighteen articles addressing the epidemiology of device infections, infection preventive measures, and local skin and dressing care that answered the question of this article were included. The most common bacterial pathogens reported have been Gram-positive bacteria, typically Staphylococcus species. With respect to infection preventive measures, there are evidence gaps in local skin care and transmission system dressings. CONCLUSION: The driveline still remains the most common type of device infection. There exists imperfect knowledge on the standardization of care with the dressing and the area of skin for left ventricular assist device patients. Furthermore, there is a methodological fragility of the studies. These elements imply an opportunity for future research on these subjects. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: This review provides an overview of the principles of best practices involving the skin and dressing of patients with a ventricular assist device without local dermatological diseases or infectious diseases. The central figure of an experienced professional can make a difference.

Giant condyloma acuminatum: report of surgical treatment and evolution of healing / Condiloma acuminado gigante: relato de tratamento cirúrgico e evolução da cicatrização

O condiloma acuminado gigante, variante rara do condiloma acuminado anogenital, apresenta crescimento rápido associado a estados de imunodeficiência.Relatamos os resultados com os cuidados com a ferida operatória. Trata-se de homem de etnia negra, 55 anos, portador do vírus da imunodeficiência humana com condiloma acuminado acometendo desde as regiões inguinais até o sulco interglúteo, que foi ressecado permanecendo a ferida aberta para posterior enxertia. Os cuidados com essa ferida incluíram solução de polihexametileno biguanida/betaína, solução de ácidos graxos essenciais, hidrofibra/prata e película. Evoluiu com infecção secundária sendo a hidrofibra substituída por espuma de poliuretano/prata/ibuprofeno. Houve melhora da infecção e da dor, contração das bordas e presença de tecido de granulação em toda a lesão. Naquelas condições, o enxerto de pele foi realizado no 41º dia. A despeito dos possíveis vieses de confusão, pode-se inferir que esses cuidados prepararam o leito da ferida para receber o enxerto de pele.

Giant condyloma acuminatum, a rare variant of anogenital condyloma, shows rapid growth associated with immunodeficiency. Wound care after resection andoutcomes were reported. NGS, black, 55 years, HIV positive, with giant condyloma acuminatum affecting from the groin to the intergluteal groove, which wasresected, remaining the wound opened for later skin graft. Topical care included polihexametilene biguanide/betaine solution, essencial fatty acids solution,hydrofiber/silver, and poliuretane film. The wound developed secondary infection, so hidrofiber was replaced by polyurethane foam/silver/ibuprofen. Therewas improvement in infection and pain, contraction of the edges and the presence of granulation tissue across the lesion. In those conditions the skin graft was performed after 41 days. Despite possible confusion bias, it can be inferred that the care adopted prepared the wound bed to receive the skin graft.