Accuracy of Thermographic Imaging in the Early Detection of Pressure Injury: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the accuracy of thermographic images in the early detection of pressure injury (PI) in adult patients. DATA SOURCES: Between March 2021 and May 2022, researchers searched 18 databases for relevant articles using nine keywords. In total, 755 studies were evaluated. STUDY SELECTION: Eight studies were included in the review. Studies were included if they evaluated individuals older than 18 years who were admitted to any healthcare setting; were published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese; examined the accuracy of thermal imaging in the early detection of PI, including suspected stage 1 PI or deep tissue injury; and they compared the region of interest to another area or control group, or to the Braden Scale or Norton Scale. Animal studies and reviews, studies with contact infrared thermography, and those including stages 2, 3, 4, and unstageable PIs were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Researchers examined sample characteristics and assessment measures related to image capture, including environmental, individual, and technical factors. DATA SYNTHESIS: Across the included studies, sample sizes ranged from 67 to 349 participants, and patients were followed up for periods ranging from a single assessment up to 14 days, or until the appearance of a PI, discharge, or death. Evaluation with the infrared thermography identified temperature differentials between regions of interest and/or in comparison with risk assessment scales. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence on the accuracy of thermographic imaging in the early detection of PI is limited.

Efficacy and safety of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in the prevention of pressure injuries in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pressure injuries (PIs), especially in the sacral region are frequent, costly, and increase morbidity and mortality of patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). These injuries can occur as a result of prolonged pressure and/or shear forces. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can increase muscle mass and improve local circulation, potentially reducing the incidence of PI. METHODS: We performed a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of NMES in preventing PI in critically ill patients. We included patients with a period of less than 48 h in the ICU, aged ≥ 18 years. Participants were randomly selected (1:1 ratio) to receive NMES and usual care (NMES group) or only usual care (control group-CG) until discharge, death, or onset of a PI. To assess the effectiveness of NMES, we calculated the relative risk (RR) and number needed to treat (NNT). We assessed the muscle thickness of the gluteus maximus by ultrasonography. To assess safety, we analyzed the effects of NMES on vital signs and checked for the presence of skin burns in the stimulated areas. Clinical outcomes were assessed by time on mechanical ventilation, ICU mortality rate, and length of stay in the ICU. RESULTS: We enrolled 149 participants, 76 in the NMES group. PIs were present in 26 (35.6%) patients in the CG and 4 (5.3%) in the NMES group (p ˂ 0.001). The NMES group had an RR = 0.15 (95% CI 0.05-0.40) to develop a PI, NNT = 3.3 (95% CI 2.3-5.9). Moreover, the NMES group presented a shorter length of stay in the ICU: Δ = - 1.8 ± 1.2 days, p = 0.04. There was no significant difference in gluteus maximus thickness between groups (CG: Δ = - 0.37 ± 1.2 cm vs. NMES group: Δ = 0 ± 0.98 cm, p = 0.33). NMES did not promote deleterious changes in vital signs and we did not detect skin burns. CONCLUSIONS: NMES is an effective and safe therapy for the prevention of PI in critically ill patients and may reduce length of stay in the ICU. Trial registration RBR-8nt9m4. Registered prospectively on July 20th, 2018, https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-8nt9m4.

Técnica termoguiada de lipólise e retração da pele com laser diodo 980nm / Thermoguided technique of lipolysis and skin retraction with 980nm diode laser

Introdução: A lipoaspiração é um procedimento consagrado para melhora do contorno corporal, sendo que existem diferentes tipos de laser que podem ser aplicados com o objetivo de provocar lipólise e retração da pele. Os parâmetros existentes atualmente (potência e energia) nos aparelhos permitem apenas uma inferência indireta da mudança de temperatura da pele. Métodos: Oitenta e três pacientes, entre 17 e 75 anos, foram submetidos à laserlipólise com diodo 980nm, utilizando uma termocâmera Flir® T540 para monitorização da temperatura. A lipólise foi obtida pela aplicação do laser na camada subcutânea profunda e a retração da pele na derme profunda, com velocidade de 5 centímetros por segundo. Para determinar a temperatura que provoca queimadura na pele, o laser foi aplicado na derme profunda dos retalhos abdominais das pacientes submetidas à dermolipectomia, totalizando 27 casos. Resultados: Na face medial do braço e da coxa foi utilizada uma potência de 15W e foram aplicados em média 4000J de energia por região. Na região dorsal e abdome foi adotada potência de 20W e foram aplicados 6000J em cada quadrante. No submento foram utilizados 10W e aplicados 1500J. Em média, a temperatura inicial do tecido estudado foi de 31°C, e ao final da aplicação do laser foi de 37°C. A temperatura que provocou queimadura foi 45°C. Conclusão: A utilização da termocâmera permitiu uma distribuição mais homogênea do laser e propiciou ao cirurgião uma monitorização eficaz, para que seja aplicada no subcutâneo e na derme profunda uma dose adequada de energia, obtendo-se o efeito desejado.

Introduction: Liposuction is a consecrated procedure to improve body contouring, and various types of laser can be applied to cause lipolysis and skin retraction. The current parameters (power and energy) in the devices allow only an indirect inference of skin temperature change. Methods: Eighty-three patients, between 17 and 75 years old, were submitted to laser lipolysis with 980nm diode, using a Flir® T540 thermocamera for temperature monitoring. Lipolysis was obtained by applying the laser to the deep subcutaneous layer and skin retraction in the deep dermis, with a velocity of 5 centimeters per second. The laser was used in the deep dermis of the abdominal flaps of patients undergoing dermolipectomy to determine the temperature that causes skin burns, totaling 27 cases. Results: A power of 15W was used on the medial side of the arm and thigh, and 4000J average energy was applied per region. In the dorsal area and abdomen, 20W was adopted, and 6000J were applied in each quadrant. On average, the studied tissue's initial temperature was 31°C, and at the end of the laser application was 37°C. The temperature that caused the burn was 45°C. Conclusion: The use of the thermocamera allowed a more homogeneous distribution of the laser and provided the surgeon with effective monitoring so that an adequate dose of energy is applied to the subcutaneous and deep dermis, obtaining the desired effect.