Fat graft for reducing pain in chronic wounds.

BACKGROUND: Chronic wounds are one of the most important challenge for regenerative surgery. Plastic surgeon can use fat graft to increase wound healing because its growth factors can enhance tissue regeneration. In a recent study, the authors evaluated a reduction of pain in a cohort of patients submitted to breast reconstruction with breast implant and lipofilling, putting into evidence that growth factors in fat graft can reduce post-surgical pain. The aim of this work is to evaluate ultra-filtered fat graft potential in reducing pain in chronic wounds. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty new patients with chronic wounds of different etiology were recruited for this study and divided into two groups: A, treatment and B, control. Twenty-five patients per group. Negative pressure therapy dressing was applied after surgical debridement. Three days later patients in group A received ultrafiltered fat graft. Pain was evaluated with preoperative Visual Analogic Scale, repeated twice a day for 14 days and finally 21 days from procedures. RESULTS: In group A (treated patients), pain was lower. These data were confirmed even after 7 days. The overall statistical analysis of the average of all values (SD 1.72) confirmed that the differences were significant at the 95% with the Chi-square test and analysis of variance (P value < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The ultra-filtered fat graft placed on the wound bed and edges was effective in reducing pain in chronic wounds. The reduction of pain was statistically significant.

Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Cheek.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer with a neuroendocrine phenotype. Here, the authors reported a case of MCC, presented as a rapidly growing, asymptomatic, erythematous nodule measuring 3.8 cm × 2.8 cm in diameter on the right cheek of an 85-year-old Caucasian woman. After resection of the nodule, the defect was repaired with cutaneous graft taken from the supraclavicular area and healed uneventfully. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of MCC.

A case of necrotizing fasciitis from a pedicure: when beauty centers become life-threatening.

INTRODUCTION: in a historical moment where there is an increasing use of beauty center, we report a case of necrotizing fasciitis occurred after a pedicure, with the aim of clarifying the safety of these aesthetic treatments. CASE REPORT: we discuss a case of left foot necrotizing fasciitis as consequence of removing a plantar callus. The patient is a 49 years old man; he is hypertensive, and diabetic not controlled. We report our experience showing the clinical manifestation and the tricky profile of the patient; then we reflect on the safety profiles of these aesthetic treatments. DISCUSSION: some bacterial infections of soft tissue after pedicure and manicure are reported in Literature. Mycobacteria seems to play a prevalent role, mostly after a peculiar practice of "fish pedicure". Our experience shows how the combination between a patient with complicated profile and poor hygienic measures can have catastrophic consequences. CONCLUSION: the aim of this article is to raise awareness on the serious consequences that can arise from banal aesthetic procedures. Furthermore, we want to recommend more control over these treatments performed in Beauty Salon, considering the large turnout of people, even clinically sensitive.

Ultraportable Devices for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: First Comparative Analysis.

Background: The author proposes to compare ultraportable devices for Negative Pressure Wound Therapy. Main reviews in literature assert that there is a lack in data about this topic. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 3 phases. The first phase involved a deep study of all the characteristics and indications of the ultraportable devices for available NPWT, highlighting dimensions, type of canister, functioning, mmHg negative pressure, the modality of use. The second phase was clinical: we treated 125 patients and described our 2 years experience. We treated the first 25 patients with PICO; then, second 25 patients with Nanova, then Uno, VacVia, and Snap in order to obtain 5 group of 25 patients. The third phase of the study consisted in the collection of data of scientific literature on classic and ultraportable devices: other experiences, multicentric studies, case reports, new suggestions, and other data on the topic were analyzed providing a synthesis of all available information. We made a diagram in order to summarize our experience and to compare the devices. Results: We described the main characteristics, main advantages and disadvantages of all devices. The literature data allowed us to investigate better to these aspects and to confirm the lack in comparing ultraportable negative wound pressure devices. Conclusions: All ultraportable devices have singular characteristics. Physician who want to use them, must know them in order to made appropriate therapy.

Optimization of Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) were introduced in the early 2000s and more recently permitted new protocols for breast reconstruction allowing a short operative time with improved outcomes until the new muscle-sparing breast reconstruction proposed in 2014 using the Braxon® ADM. The aim of this research is to propose a technique to improve the aesthetic outcome using Braxon ADM with prepectoral implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The enrolled patients were submitted to a nipple skin-sparing mastectomy leaving 1 additional centimeter of subcutis on the proximal part of the upper pole of the breast (see Surgical Technique). Aesthetic outcomes were compared to those obtained with traditional breast reconstruction with prosthesis and the Braxon ADM placed in the prepectoral space. Mean values of aesthetic outcomes were analyzed using the Student t test, and the κ test was used to analyze interobserver variability. RESULTS: The overall aesthetic score was improved of 29.6% of the patients; in particular the most improved score was that for contour (+98.01%). Statistical significance was found for contour, upper pole definition, and total score average (p < 0.05). The κ test showed interobserver variability with a good level of agreement on contour (κ = 0.832). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed technique has allowed attainment of good results in terms of aesthetic outcomes. In a small sample we did not register any particular complications but we verified a better satisfaction on the evaluation of the aesthetic result (level of evidence: 3).

The role of carbon dioxide therapy in the treatment of chronic wounds.

A wound is defined as chronic when it does not heal according to the normal repair times and mechanisms. This particular condition may be principally due to local hypoxia. Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) therapy refers to the transcutaneous or subcutaneous administration of CO(2) for therapeutical effects on both microcirculation and tissue oxygenation. In this study, we report the clinical and instrumental results of the application of CO(2) in the therapy of chronic wounds. The study included 70 patients affected by chronic ulcers. The patients were selected by aetiology and wound extension and equally divided into two homogeneous groups. In group A, CO(2) therapy was used in addition to the routine methods of treatment for such lesions (surgical and/or chemical debridement, advanced dressings according to the features of each lesion). In group B, patients were treated using routine methods alone. Both groups underwent to instrumental (laser doppler flow, measurement of TcPO(2)), clinical and photographic evaluation. In the group that underwent subcutaneous treatment with CO(2) therapy, the results highlighted a significant increase in tissue oxygenation values, which was confirmed by greater progress of the lesions in terms of both healing and reduction of the injured area. Considering the safety, efficacy and reliability of this method, even if further studies are necessary, we believe that it is useful to include subcutaneous carbon dioxide therapy in the treatment of wounds involving hypoxia-related damage.

A giant keratoacanthoma of the cheek.

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a cutaneous tumor arising on sun-exposed skin and characterized by self-limiting growth and involution. We reported a case of a 92-year-old man presented a 4.5x3.5 cm nodular lesion with a central keratin-filled crater on his left cheek. We performed surgical excision and histopathological examination revealed a keratoacanthoma with perineural invasion. A close follow-up was carried out. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Tendon Transfer Surgery: Focus on .

Median and Ulnar nerve palsy is a devastating condition that compromise hand function. A procedure of tendon transfer may be helpful to restore the movements by linking palsy muscles to other muscles able to contract. Scientific discoveries and technological innovations have profoundly changed this kind of surgery; studies on sarcomeres, for example, changed the concept of tensioning. To date we know that muscle strength and its contraction capacity depends on many factors (not only tensioning) such as sarcomeres length, cellular cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix composition: all of these factors interact together and in a ways not still fully understood, determining the complex concept of "movement." Technology made possible the production of smaller and more complex prostheses so to open new frontiers for modulation of the tendon length during grasping. These devices, currently studied on computer models, on cadaver or on animals, behaved great impetus to research but are still not suitable for implantation in humans. Challenges are still numerous: for example obtain more biocompatible implantable device, find new surgical approach, new ways to obtain better results for this kind of patients.

Aspiration Pneumonia: a Shadow in Post-Bariatric Patient : Correlation between aspiration and minigrastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: The number of post-bariatric surgical procedures is increasing in time. Post-bariatric patients must be carefully evaluated preoperatively, and they must be considered a particular group of patients in plastic surgery. Aspiration is an occurrence in surgical patients that can cause transient pneumonitis but, in some cases, it can progress to severe clinical acute lung injury or in acute respiratory distress syndrome. The aim of this research is to underline a correlation between one anastomosis bypass-minigastric bypass (OAGB-MGB) and biliar or gastric aspiration. METHODS: We performed an analysis of literature and a systematic review of our post-bariatric patients who underwent body contouring procedures which required general anaesthesia from 2013 to 2018 and divided them in two groups: OAGB-MGB group and other bariatric procedures in order to compare the rate of aspiration/pneumonia occurred in time. RESULTS: We collected 423 patients for 536 procedures and 9 complications. In the OAGB-MGB group, there was the highest rate of reflux/aspiration during anaesthesia induction (3.5%, 8 patients) compared with the other group (0.51%). Risk ratio of OAGB-MGB group vs other procedures is 7.054. Literature confirmed high risk of biliar reflux after OAGB-MGB procedure. CONCLUSIONS: This study underlined a significant correlation between OAGB-MGB and reflux/starting general anaesthesia in post-bariatric patients. In our experience we believe that it can be useful enlarge the pre-operatory fasting period and positioning a nasogastric tube during anaesthesia induction that can be performed moreover, in anti-Trendelenburg position, in order to prevent pulmonary aspiration.

Marjolin's Ulcer Arising in a Burn Scar.

Marjolin's ulcer is an aggressive disease arising in chronic wounds and cutaneous scars. Corbo et al define Marjolin's ulcer an often overlooked or misdiagnosed tumor. We report a case of Marjolin's ulcer arose in a burn scar of a 51-year-old man who sustained a burn in childhood. A punch biopsy showed squamous cell carcinoma. The lesion was surgically removed with wide excision. The loss of substance was covered with a partial-thickness skin graft, harvested from the left thigh with dermatome. Histological examination confirmed a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Burn scars are the most commonly associated with these tumors, but other lesions may initiate this malignant transformation. The most common type of tumor reported in a Marjolin's ulcer is squamous cell carcinoma, but Pavlovic et al reported other malignancies.

Face Rejuvenation: a new combinated protocol for biorevitalization.

INTRODUCTION: The slowing of the aging process is subject of great research and attention in modern society, particularly aging of face. Processes involved are very complex. Mesotherapy. hyaluronic acid and carbon dioxide injection can be used for biorevitalization and skin rejuvenation. METHODS: Three groups were made and 62 patients were enrolled. Patients with superficial wrinkles of the face, neck and/or décolleté, without presence of nasolabial folds and marionette wrinkles were included in group 1. Patients with superficial/medium depth wrinkles of the face, neck and/or décolleté, with moderate nasolabial folds but no marionette wrinkles were included in group 2. Patients with deep wrinkles of the face, with deep nasolabial folds and marionette wrinkles were included in group 3. Patients were treated with three different protocols that included injections of amino acids, vitamins and hyaluronic acid in association with carbon dioxide injection. We submitted the PAIS and GAIS scales and we analyzed the scores obtained with Wilcoxon's and Kolmogorov-Smirnov's tests. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) softare was used. The p-value was considered acceptable if inferior to 0,05 (p>0,05). RESULTS: In according with these tests, the differences of values at one week and at the end of the study are significant (p<0,05) for both PAIS and GAIS. No side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Protocol treatment used in this study gave statistically valid results in the rejuvenation of face for mild, moderate and severe aging.

Complications associated with brachioplasty: a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Paralleling the growth of bariatric surgery, the demand for post-bariatric body-contouring surgery is increasing. Weight loss is the main cause, although not the only one, that drives patients to arm lift surgery. Several surgical techniques have been proposed over the years. Our aim was to consider the complications and outcomes according to the performed technique, through a wide review of the literature. METHODS: A search on PubMed/Medline was performed using "brachioplasty", "upper arm lifting", and "techniques" as key words. Embase, Medline (OvidSP), Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed publisher, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were searched as well. As inclusion criteria, we selected the clinical studies describing techniques of brachioplasty. We excluded the papers in which complications related to brachioplasty were not specified. We also excluded literature-review articles. RESULTS: We found 27 studies from 1995 to 2015. Overall, 1065 patients were treated. Different techniques were applied. Complications were observed in 308/1065 patients (28.9%). The most frequent complications were hypertrophic scarring, seroma and hematoma. Surgical revision rate ranged from 0 to 21 percent. Nerve damage occurred in a modest percentage of patients (16/1065, 1.5%). No major complications, such as thromboembolism and sepsis, were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Brachioplasty is a safe surgical procedure. All the brachioplasty techniques showed positive outcomes, in term of patients' satisfaction and clinical results. Nevertheless, minor complications occurred in a high percentage of patients, regardless the performed surgical procedure. Patients should be informed about the possible formation of hypertrophic scars and nerve injuries.

Cutaneous metastasis of the superior lip from adenocarcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction. A case report.

The Authors report a rare case of cutaneous upper lip metastasis from an adenocarcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction, in a 72-year-old white man, which was excised and the defect repaired with a transposition flap from the cheek. From a review of the literature, the skin is generally an uncommon site of metastasis particularly for this kind of cancer, with very few reports. The prognosis of such lesions is poor, and the incidence of other synchronous secondary localisations is high in these cases, but prompt treatment preserves the functionality and aesthetic appearance of the region, ensuring a good quality of life.

Use of ultraportable vacuum therapy systems in the treatment of venous leg ulcer.

BACKGROUND: The high incidence of venous leg ulcers and the difficult to give a complete healing involves in an increase of costs for National Health System. Main therapies to obtain a fast healing are compressive bandages, treatment of abnormal venous flow and in-situ-strategies of wound care. Negative pressure therapy does not conventionally used, because these systems not allow the use of compression bandages. Recently the development of ultraportable devices has improved the compliance and the results. METHODS: Ten patients with venous chronic ulcer on the lower extremities were recruited for this study: all patients had venous leg ulcers from at least one year. We treated the patients with autologous partial thickness skin graft and subsequently we applied NANOVA device included in compressive bandage. We used NANOVA for fourteen days and after we made traditional medications. We submitted a questionnaire to evaluate the impact of dressing and NANOVA device in the quality of life of patients. RESULTS: The device contributed to the formation of granulation tissue and increased the success rate of autologous skin graft without limiting mobility of patient. In addition to this, we have been able to perform compression bandages thanks to small size of this device. Eight ulcers healed within 90 days of medication. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that ultraportable negative pressure systems are useful devices for treatment of venous leg ulcers because them allows to realize a compressive bandage without mobility limitations.

Skin graft donor site: a procedure for a faster healing.

BACKGROUND: The authors want to evaluate the efficacy of fibrillary tabotamp dressing in skin graft-donor site. A comparison was made with Vaseline gauzes. Tabotamp is an absorbable haemostatic product of Ethicon (Johnson and Johnson) obtained by sterile and oxidized regenerated cellulose (Rayon). It is used for mild to moderate bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 276 patients were subject to skin graft and divided into two group: Group A and Group B. The donor site of patients in Group A was medicated with fibrillary tabotamp, while the patients of Group B were medicated only with Vaseline gauze. We recorded infection, timing of healing, number of dressing change, the pain felt during and after the dressing change with visual analog scale (VAS) and a questionnaire. RESULTS: Patients allocated in Group A healed faster than the Group B. Questionnaires and VAS analysis showed lower pain felt, lower intake of pain drugs and lower infection rate in the Group A than the Group B. Analysis of coast showed lower dressing change in Group A than the Group B. CONCLUSION: We believe that the use of tabotamp is a very viable alternative to improve healing.

A case of extramammary inguinal Paget disease in a male patient: surgical treatment with an abdominal advancement cutaneous flap.

Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare neoplasm. The clinical case of a 55-year-old man with a two-year history of a pruritic, painless erythematous skin rash on the inguinal region and scrotum is described. After a delay due to improper diagnosis and improper treatments, the patient came to the attention of the Division of plastic surgery. He underwent a punch biopsy and the pathology report came back as EMPD. Surgical excision was carried out, and an abdominal advancement cutaneous flap was performed for the defect repair. This is the first description of a reconstruction after surgical removal of inguinal EMPD with a flap of this type and we think that this type of treatment can be useful and reliable for disease localization in the groin area, especially for patients that present an excess of abdominal skin.

Superior Pedicle Mammaplasty without Parenchymal Incisions after Massive Weight Loss.

BACKGROUND: After considerable weight loss, the breast suffers significant deformation. The ptotic breast is characterized by a lack of superior pole, tissue excess in the inferior pole, down-migration of nipple-areola complex (NAC) with redundancy of skin tissue. The authors describe a mastopexy technique based on a modulated and progressive reshaping, back rotation, and suspension of mammary gland parenchyma without parenchymal incisions. METHODS: Forty-five patients with bilateral moderate or severe breast ptosis underwent mastopexy from January 2011 to January 2014 with complete detachment of breast from the pectoralis major muscle and the plication of parenchyma without any parenchymal incision. Patients were followed up for one year, reporting any complication, and measuring the jugulum-NAC distance. The outcomes were assessed by the patients as well as the surgical team. RESULTS: The aesthetic outcomes were good or excellent in all patients. The new mammary contour and the distance between the jugular fossa and the nipple were stable during this time with a good filling of upper pole. No major complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This technique gave good breast shape, long-term projection, and upper pole fullness, without parenchymal incisions. It restores breast shape and projection, especially in post-bariatric patients. A similar technique has not been described yet.