Application and effect evaluation of nursing quality target management in free flap transplantation for hand injury.

To explore application and effect of nursing quality target management in free flap transplantation for hand injury. 140 patients with free skin flap transplantation for hand injury admitted to the hand and foot surgery ward of the hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 were selected as the research objects. They were randomly divided into observation group and control group. There were 70 patients in each group, and both groups of patients received microscopic free flap transplantation. The observation group adopted traditional nursing mode and nursing quality target management mode to carry out nursing, while the control group adopted traditional nursing mode to carry out nursing. The treatment compliance, skin flap survival, occurrence of vascular crisis, occurrence of complications, VAS and Barthel comparison score of the two groups were compared. The treatment compliance of patients in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The survival rate of skin flap in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of vascular crisis in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The postoperative pain in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in Barthel score between the observation group and the control group at admission (P > 0.05), but the improvement range of Barthel score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group at discharge (P < 0.05), The satisfaction of patients in the observation group to nurses was higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The application of nursing quality target management can improve the treatment compliance of patients, improve the survival rate of free skin flap transplantation for hand injury, reduce the incidence of vascular crisis within 48 hours after operation, reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications, relieve the pain of patients, improve self-care ability and ensure the quality of life.

Nurses' experiences of leech therapy in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

The aim of this study was to explore nurses' experience of using leech therapy. Leech therapy is useful in promoting revascularisation of skin grafts. Nurse disquiet in their role as leech therapists has been noted. This study explored the experience of Irish nurses. A qualitative design with an interview schedule was used to learn about emotional and practical clinical experiences. Interviews were carried out with seven nurses working with leeches in reconstructive surgery in 2013. These interviews were coded and explored for themes. Results revealed that many nurses feel aversion to the use of leeches. This may be associated with the use of a parasitic organism as treatment in conflict with the nurse's role in cross infection. It was also found that management of a nurse's own and patient's emotional responses is required. In conclusion, preparation for the role of leech therapy beyond the purely practical is necessary, and should explore affective responses of the practitioner and patients.

Strategies to promote healing of split thickness skin grafts: an integrative review.

Skin grafts are commonly used to promote healing of shallow wounds and burns, and wound care nurses play an important role in management of wounds treated with grafting. The purpose of this article was to review recent findings regarding strategies to promote healing of split-thickness skin grafts including topical phenytoin or platelet-rich plasma prior to graft application, fibrin sealant, or negative pressure wound therapy to stabilize a graft and to promote close adherence of the graft to the underlying wound bed and adjunctive therapies such as laser.

[Negative pressure therapy in traumatology]. / La thérapie par pression négative en traumatologie.

The treatment of complex wounds in traumatology is a source of concern for nurses. Negative pressure therapy constitutes a solution for difficult-to-treat situations in the framework of open fractures and loss of limb tissue.

[Negative pressure therapy in the treatment of leg ulcers]. / La thérapie par pression négative dans la prise en charge des ulcères de jambe.

Leg ulcers are a common pathology. Negative pressure therapy is a second-line treatment which favours granulation and which must be followed by a graft.The main pitfall is the recurrence of ulcers.Whatever the cicatriasation technique, it is essential to consider the indications.

[Negative pressure therapy and acute wounds]. / La thérapie par pression negative et les plaies aiguës.

Negative pressure therapy medical techniques constitute a revolution in wound care, notably with acute wounds.The latter, often surgical, are treated as an emergency

[Burn scars]. / Les cicatrices de brûlures.

Burns often result in extensive scars which can change the body aesthetically and/ or functionally. Rapid scarring is a sign of a good prognosis. Preventative actions such as hydration, compression, massage, posture and splints help to prevent or contain the negative evolution of pathological scars.

[The surgical treatment of scars]. / La prise en charge chirurgicale des cicatrices.

Scars can be functionally or socially disabling. Many patients affected therefore request corrective surgery. The list of surgical techniques is long and the most frequently-used solutions are well-known.

[Healing "booster" dressings]. / Les pansements "boosters" de cicatrisation.

The relationship between the dressing and the wound is vital to clinical effectiveness. The more-or-less standard wound-surface coverings have been replaced with initial dressings, referred to as modern dressings, which contain an oily and sticky compound. They provide a moist medium by applying the basic mechanistic principles (liquid absorption and release). Other types of products and techniques modify the behaviour of wound cells by acting directly through irritation, biochemical stimulation or genetic modification of the cells, which accelerates the healing process.

Retrospective evaluation of clinical outcomes in subjects with split-thickness skin graft: comparing V.A.C.® therapy and conventional therapy in foot and ankle reconstructive surgeries.

This retrospective study compared the clinical outcomes of negative pressure wound therapy with reticulated open cell foam (NPWT/ROCF) as delivered by Vacuum-Assisted Therapy(®) (V.A.C.(®) Therapy, KCI Licensing Inc., San Antonio, TX) to non-NPWT/ROCF conventional therapy (CT) in split-thickness skin graft (STSG) survival in all patients to determine whether NPWT/ROCF affects the outcome of the graft survival, in terms of overall graft take, duration of graft take, repeated grafts and complications. The authors conducted a 10-year retrospective review of 142 patients admitted to a level I trauma centre and treated with an STSG in foot and ankle reconstructive surgeries. Demographic data, wound etiology, dressing type used, time to graft take, NPWT/ROCF duration, complications and outpatient treatments were analysed. There were significantly fewer repeated STSGs required in the NPWT/ROCF group compared to CT [n = 3 (3·5%) versus n = 9 (16%); P = 0·006]. In assessing safety, there were fewer complications in graft failure (seroma, hematoma and infection) in the NPWT/ROCF group as compared to the CT group at 8·9 months (range: 1-12 months). NPWT/ROCF is an excellent alternative for securing an STSG and is associated with improved graft survival as measured by a reduction in the number of repeated STSGs and graft failure complications.

Repair of a huge vesicocutaneous fistula with the rectus femoris musculocutaneous flap and VAC.

Adequate drainage is a prerequisite for closing a vesicocutaneous fistula, but the continued exposure to urine makes this impossible. Here, VAC was successfully used as a preoperative therapy before flap transplantation.

Wound management following orbital exenteration surgery.

Exenteration of the orbital contents is a rare but mutilating surgical procedure which can have a profound effect on a patient's life. As a specialist nurse working within the oculoplastics team at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, the author has taken a particular interest in the wound management of post-operative exenteration patients. Using evidence-based practice relating to cavity wound healing as a cornerstone, he has developed guidelines for the post-operative wound management of these patients both for nurses and other allied professionals. Several surgical approaches to the exenteration of the orbital contents are outlined. The implications for wound healing and other elements of the post operative care for these patients are also explored. Selected dressing products which may be used in patients having undergone orbital exenteration surgery ar reviewed, and practice recommendations and guidelines proposed.

Mepitel: a non-adherent wound dressing with Safetac technology.

OBJECTIVE: Wound pain and tissue trauma are two main considerations of wound management, and appropriate dressing selection plays an important role in both. Traditional dressings may adhere to wounds resulting in significant pain and trauma to new tissue upon removal. The development of primary wound contact materials has provided a unique approach to solving this problem. This article aims to aid clinicians in identifying wound types on which Mepitel, a primary wound contact dressing with Safetac soft silicone adhesive technology, can be used by summarizing the published clinical literature relating to its use. METHOD: Searches of bibliographic databases and internet sites were supplemented with manual searches of journals of relevance to wound management for clinical data relating to the use of Mepitel. RESULTS: The literature search identified a number of articles, presenting data generated from randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials and case study evaluations of Mepitel on a wide range of wound types and skin injuries. CONCLUSION: The results of the clinical evaluations demonstrate that Mepitel is associated with atraumatic and virtually pain-free dressing changes. The dressing with Safetac can be used cost-effectively in the treatment of a wide range of wound types and skin injuries.

Split-skin graft in the management of diabetic foot ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of split-thickness skin grafts versus a conservative wound dressing on the healing times of diabetic foot ulcers and the length of hospital stay. METHOD: In this prospective case-controlled study, 50 patients consented to skin grafting (graft group) and 50 preferred to be managed by conservative dressings (control group). Wound management in both groups was standardised with regard to the dressing materials (which comprised a multilayer dressing including paraffin gauze and diluted povidone-iodine soaked gauze), wound care and surgeon involvement. Graft take, ulcer recurrence rate and donor-site morbidity were assessed. Healing times and the length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A 100% skin graft take was recorded in 84% of the patients on the fifth postoperative day and in 62% on weeks 3 and 8. All patients in the graft group healed completely, but 8% had an ulcer recurrence and 4% a superficial infection within the following year. The mean healing time and mean length of hospital stay were significantly less in the graft group compared with the control group (p<0.001), reflecting results of similar studies. CONCLUSION: Split-skin grafting is an effective method of managing diabetic foot ulcers as, compared with the conservative dressings used in this study, it reduced healing times and the length of hospital stay, while donor-site morbidity was minimal.

Plastic surgery reconstruction of the diabetic foot.

Soft tissue reconstruction of the diabetic foot is a challenge for the perioperative team. Primary closure may not be an option and secondary healing may not be reliable. Therefore, surgery is vital and should be coordinated among a well-functioning multidisciplinary team that specializes in caring for patients with diabetes mellitus. Team members must have expertise in reconstructive surgery to ensure adequate wound healing. This article emphasizes the appropriate timing and staging of surgery, discusses the most common plastic surgery techniques, and underscores the importance of a team approach in the management of diabetic foot wounds.

A randomised controlled trial of a double layer of Allevyn compared to Jellonet and proflavin as a tie-over dressing for small skin grafts.

INTRODUCTION: The tie-over dressing is used to encourage skin graft take by minimising dead space, reducing seroma and haematoma formation and by graft immobilisation. Various materials have been proposed, however we have compared one of the most popular, Jellonet with a bolster of proflavin-soaked cotton wool, to a newer dressing, Allevyn foam. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients were recruited and randomised into either group. Any patient requiring surgery involving a split or full thickness graft due to be carried out in the outpatient department on any site was invited to participate. Outcome measures included percentage take, pain on dressing removal (visual analogue scale) and infection. Ethical approval was obtained from the North and Mid Essex Local Research Ethics Committee. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in graft take between the two groups at day 5 (P=0.963). The Allevyn dressing was statistically more comfortable (P=0.0182). DISCUSSION: We propose that Allevyn foam provides an effective and comfortable method for securing small split and full thickness skin grafts. While offering equal levels of graft take, improved levels of comfort may lend itself to use in sensitive areas such as the nose, ear and around the eye.