Correlation between Bacterial Wound Colonization and Skin-Graft Loss in Burn Patients.

Loss of skin grafts can be a dangerous complication during the early postoperative course of patients with extensive burns. A major risk factor for impaired healing of grafts is local wound infection due to bacterial colonization. Burn wounds are particularly prone to bacterial colonization. In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed correlations between bacteria isolates from burn wounds and loss of skin grafts after surgical treatment. A cohort of patients with burn wounds who received split-skin grafts for wound coverage was divided into groups with and without loss of skin grafts. Demographics, comorbidities, trauma characteristics and bacterial isolates from wound cultures were reviewed and compared. Bacterial colonization isolated from burn wounds upon hospital admission was found to be a significant predictor of skin-graft loss. Additionally, an Abbreviated Burn Severity Index greater 6 predicted graft loss. When comparing bacterial swab results from admission with isolates from revision surgery after graft loss, causative pathogens were found to have changed.

[Infections of the hand and forearm]. / Infektionen der Hand und des Unterarms.

Infections of the hand and forearm are a frequently seen surgical emergency of the hand. Patients of all age groups are affected and underlying systemic diseases are risk factors. Posttraumatic causes are the leading cause of infections. This includes cuts and stab wounds, animal and human bites but often also minor injuries. Due to the anatomical peculiarities of the hand, rapid progression of initially inconspicuous infections can occur resulting in functional limitations. If an infection is suspected, a symptom-oriented evaluation by a hand surgeon should be performed. This includes a detailed patient history, clinical examination, laboratory analyses and imaging. This is followed by the development of an individualized and interdisciplinary treatment concept with the aim of achieving the shortest possible rehabilitation period. The treatment includes surgical cleansing of the infection, accompanied by antibiotic treatment taking the expected possible spectrum of pathogens into account. Cephalosporins and aminopenicillins in combination with beta-lactamase inhibitors are the antibiotics of first choice. Follow-up treatment includes early functional exercise under the guidance of a hand therapist to minimize postinfectious restrictions in the range of motion and to enable occupational rehabilitation. In rare cases, fulminant necrotizing infections with resulting skin and soft tissue defects can occur. In these cases, secondary plastic reconstruction is usually required after cleansing of the infection.

[Fluorescence lymphangiography in the diagnosis and navigated microsurgical treatment of iatrogenic lymph vessel lesion]. / Fluoreszenzlymphangiographie in Diagnostik und navigierter mikrochirurgischer Therapie iatrogener Lymphgefäßläsionen.

Injuries of lymph vessels can occur due to trauma or surgery and may result in significant difficulties for patients. Wound healing is often severely impaired and patients may need extensive surgical treatment. A case of iatrogenic lymph vessel injury after excision of a skin tumor in the axillary region is reported, as is the reconstructive procedure by lymphaticovenous anastomosis.

Renin inhibition improves the survival of mesenchymal stromal cells in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was to determine if renin inhibition is able to improve the survival of transplanted stem cells in a mouse model of myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction was induced in FVB/NJ inbred mice (n = 23). Bone marrow-derived mouse mesenchymal stromal cells (mMSCs, 3 × 10(5)) expressing the reporter gene firefly luciferase were delivered intramyocardially (n = 12) and monitored non-invasively by bioluminescence imaging. A group of these mice (n = 6) received aliskiren (15 mg/kg/day) via an osmotic pump implanted subcutaneously. The survival of mMSCs was significantly increased in those animals that received aliskiren leading to a significant improvement in systolic function after myocardial infarction. Histological analysis revealed a significant reduction in inflammation and collagen deposition in those mice that received aliskiren compared to controls. Renin inhibition of the ischemic myocardium is able to modulate the microenvironment improving the survival and efficacy of transplanted mMSCs in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.