Complete free flap loss due to extensive hemodilution.

BACKGROUND: Free tissue transfer in reconstruction of lower extremity wounds is well established. Controversy surrounds type and regimen of intravenous fluid application during microsurgery. Hemodilution is supposed to influence haemostatic process. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an analysis of 48 patients treated with a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap to the lower leg for posttraumatic soft-tissue coverage. Postoperative latissimus dorsi muscle flap perfusion was controlled by clinical monitoring. Intraoperative infusion management was evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: In 4 of 48 included patients, a complete loss of free latissimus dorsi muscle flap was registered. Concomitant increased saline infusion was detected (4,534 ml versus. 6,125 ml; P = 0.048). Similar findings for relation of total infusion volume to body weight were seen (44 ml/kg versus 69 ml/kg; P = 0.01). No significant colloid infusion was detected. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the clinical relevance of extensive intraoperative hyperhydration, which can provoke a complete free flap loss.

Latissimus dorsi muscle flap for lower extremity reconstruction in children.

UNLABELLED: Complete loss of free latissimus dorsi muscle flaps to the leg is frequently reported. The purpose of this study is to analyze the outcome of latissimus dorsi muscle flaps to the lower extremity in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis includes 11 children treated with a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap after severe trauma to the lower leg and foot. RESULTS: Fourteen free latissimus dorsi muscle flaps were performed in 11 children with a mean age of 13 ± 4 years. The injuries were caused by traffic accidents, lawnmower accidents, and a crush trauma. Thirteen (92.8%) flaps needed surgical revision. Three complete flap losses and 1 partial flap loss were registered. CONCLUSIONS: Free latissimus dorsi muscle flaps seem to be a useful technique for lower extremity salvage after severe injury, but there is a relevant flap failure risk in children.

Intrahepatic cholestasis without jaundice.

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma (CC), the most common biliary tract malignancy, is frequently seen in advanced unresectable stages and is typically localized extrahepatically. Early diagnosis is unusual because of nonspecific symptoms. Painless jaundice is usually the first sign of tumor. METHOD: We present a patient with a CC (Klatskin tumor) with a complete biliary drainage by an aberrant bile duct without jaundice. RESULTS: A 67-year-old woman presented with persisting elevation of liver parameters. Diagnostic tests showed a Klatskin tumor type II. A curative right hepatic trisegmentectomy was performed after liver volume augmentation by preoperative vein embolization. CONCLUSIONS: A direct drainage of the right posterior bile duct into the common bile duct as an aberrant hepatic duct is a rare variation and is present in less than 5% of the population. In case of persistently perturbed liver function tests, an aberrant bile duct can cover up severe intrahepatic cholestasis and even obscure the diagnosis of a Klatskin tumor. Up to now it has not been described in the literature.

Complications and treatment of migrated biliary endoprostheses: a review of the literature.

Endoscopic biliary stent insertion is a well-established procedure. It is especially successful in treating postoperative biliary leaks, and may prevent surgical intervention. A routine change of endoprostheses after 3 mo is a common practice but this can be prolonged to 6 mo. We reported a colonic perforation due to biliary stent dislocation and migration to the rectosigmoid colon, and reviewed the literature.

Are Multimorbidities Underestimated in Scoring Systems of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Like in SCORTEN?

OBJECTIVE: Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have related high morbidity and mortality. We predict that preexisting multimorbidity is a major prognostic factor of both these diseases. METHODS: A retrospective analysis in toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome patients over the past 10 years. Three severity categories (minor, moderate, and severe multimorbidity) were defined according to a point-rating system. RESULTS: Twenty-seven inpatients, with a median age of 63 years, diagnosed with toxic epidermal necrolysis (n = 13) or Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (n = 14) were assessed in this study. Of these, 14 patients died during the course of the study. Nonsurvivors showed significantly higher multimorbidity (P = .038), with higher scoring on the points system for disease severity (P = .003), than survivors and CART (Classification and Regression Trees) cross-validation (P < .05). LIMITATIONS: Restricted number of patients due to low prevalence rate. CONCLUSION: The complexity of associated multimorbidity appears to have a large influence on toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome prognosis, which has not been considered in any of the established scoring systems.

Complete circumferential congenital constriction of the trunk - operation procedures and results.

Constriction ring syndrome is an uncommon deformity with unknown etiology and multiple manifestations. The most common change occurs at the lower extremities. A complete circular amniotic band syndrome of the trunk is an extremely rare condition. There are less than ten other reported cases in the literature. We present a new case of this congenital abnormality, the operation procedure and the results.

Impact of hypernatremia on burn wound healing: results of an exploratory, retrospective study.

Severely burned patients need extensive initial fluid resuscitation. Formulas to calculate fluid needs during burn shock are well established. However, protocols for normalizing circulating fluid volume after cellular integrity has recovered do not exist. Resultant electrolyte shifts can cause hypernatremia, a possible sign of hypovolemia, which may in turn result in decreased tissue perfusion, subsequently affecting burn wound healing. The purpose of this retrospective chart review was to explore the hypothesis that hypernatremia in burn patients is a possible sign of systemic dehydration and that dehydration may affect burn wound skin graft take. Medical chart data from otherwise healthy burn victims with deep partial-thickness burns (total burn surface area [TBSA] >10%) who underwent skin grafting 7 days post injury were reviewed. Thirty (11 female; 19 male) patients with an average TBSA of 30% (± 11%) and an Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) score of 7.9 (± 1.8) were included. Of those, 17 had normal average serum levels between day 2 and 6 following injury and 13 developed hypernatremia (serum sodium ≥146 mmol/L) an average of 5.5 days (± 1.5) after injury. Patients in this group underwent an average of 1.3 (± 0.8) re-grafting procedures compared to 0.35 (± 0.5) for patients without hypernatremia (P = 0.001). There was good correlation (r = 0.525) between daily infusion-diuresis ratios (IDR) and serum sodium levels, as well as between serum sodium levels and re-skin grafting occurrences (r = 0.62). The results indicate that research to confirm that hypernatremia is an indicator of dehydration and affects skin graft take is warranted and that protocols to optimize fluid volume following burn shock treatment are needed.

Rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure in severely burned patients.

Rhabdomyolysis (RML) is a precarious complication in severely burned patients and the principal treatment goal is prevention of acute renal failure (ARF). This 10-year retrospective study analyses the causes for RML in severely burned patients and evaluates treatment algorithms. Eight of 714 patients (1%) were diagnosed with RML. Percentage TBSA burn was 25 ± 13%. The mean abbreviated burn severity index score (ABSI) was 9 ± 2. ARF was found in 75% (6/8) of the patients. Serum myoglobin (MB) was reduced by 41 ± 16% after 24-h treatment by solitary volume repletion (VR) and by 44 ± 20% through VR+continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). Mortality was 50% (4/8). Peak mean CPK-levels were more than two and MB-levels more than four times higher in non-survivors than in survivors. Burns associated with RML result in poor survival. VR and CVVHDF are effective measures in treating RML. CVVHDF is effective in removing MB when using high flux filter membranes. Early CVVHDF (within 24h of diagnosis) with high-cut off membranes could reduce the risk of ARF and mortality.

A rare desmoid tumor of the shoulder--excision, implantation of brachytherapy applicators and wound closure by pedicle musculus latissimus dorsi flap.

Desmoid tumors are non-metastatic mesenchymal tumors with an aggressive local growth. Depending on the anatomic location, morbidity varies. We report of a patient with a desmoid tumor of the right shoulder which was treated in our department by surgical excision, plastic-surgical wound closure and postoperative adjuvant radiation.

Progressive fluid removal can avoid electrolyte disorders in severely burned patients.

INTRODUCTION: Extensive burn injury has systemic consequences due to capillary leak. After restoration of cellular integrity, infused fluid volume has to be removed partially. This can provoke electrolyte disorders. PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of progressive fluid removal on serum sodium level. METHOD: Retrospective study. Patients admitted to a burn unit were analyzed and separated in two groups without (Group A) or with (Group B) prolonged hypernatremia. Daily infusion-diuresis-ratio (IDR) was analyzed. RESULTS: Fourty (12 female; 28 male) patients with a mean age of 47±19 years, a total burn surface area (TBSA) of 26±12%, and a mean abbreviated burned severity index (ABSI) score of 7.3±2 were included. In Group A 25 patients with a mean age of 47±18 years, a mean TBSA of 23±11%, and a mean ABSI score of 6.9±2.1 were summarized. In Group B 15 patients with a mean age of 47±22 years, a mean TBSA of 30±13%, and a mean ABSI score of 8.1±1.7 were included. Hypernatremia occurred on day 5±1.4. There was no significant difference between both groups for fluid resuscitation amount within the first 24 hours. Statistical analysis of the first 7 days after burn injury showed a significantly higher percentage of removed fluid in Group B for day 3, day 4, day 5, day 6 and day 7. CONCLUSIONS: Amount and velocity of fluid removal regimen after burn injury can provoke electrolyte disorders. Serum sodium concentration can be used to calculate need of fluid resuscitation for fluid maintenance. There is a need of an established fluid removal strategy.

Epithelioid finger-sarcoma in an 11 year old girl--a case report.

Malignant tumors of pediatric hand are very rare. This case report describes an epithelioid sarcoma at the finger of an 11 year old girl and discusses general treatment options in this rare patient population.

Transdermal fluid loss in severely burned patients.

INTRODUCTION: The skin protects against fluid and electrolyte loss. Burn injury does affect skin integrity and protection against fluid loss is lost. Thus, a systemic dehydration can be provoked by underestimation of fluid loss through burn wounds. PURPOSE: We wanted to quantify transdermal fluid loss in burn wounds. METHOD: Retrospective study. 40 patients admitted to a specialized burn unit were analyzed and separated in two groups without (Group A) or with (Group B) hypernatremia. Means of daily infusion-diuresis-ratio (IDR) and the relationship to totally burned surface area (TBSA) were analyzed. RESULTS: In Group A 25 patients with a mean age of 47 ± 18 years, a mean TBSA of 23 ± 11%, and a mean abbreviated burned severity index (ABSI) score of 6.9 ± 2.1 were summarized. In Group B 15 patients with a mean age of 47 ± 22 years, a mean TBSA of 30 ± 13%, and a mean ABSI score of 8.1 ± 1.7 were included. Statistical analysis of the period from day 3 to day 6 showed a significant higher daily IDR-amount in Group A (Group A vs. Group B: 786 ± 1029 ml vs. -181 ± 1021 ml; p<0.001) and for daily IDR-TBSA-ratio (Group A vs. Group B: 40 ± 41 ml/% vs. -4 ± 36 ml/%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a systemic relevant transdermal fluid loss in burn wounds after severe burn injury. Serum sodium concentration can be used to calculate need of fluid resuscitation for fluid maintenance. There is a need of an established fluid removal strategy to avoid water and electrolyte imbalances.

Does hypernatremia impact mortality in Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis?

INTRODUCTION: In-hospital hypernatremia is associated with increased mortality rates. We want to elucidate the impact of in-hospital acquired hypernatremia in mortality of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). PURPOSE: Is there an association between hypernatremia and mortality in patients with TEN? METHOD: Retrospective study of 25 patients with TEN. Laboratory electrolyte results, diuresis and survival were analyzed. Patients were separated in two groups without (Group A) or with (Group B) hypernatremia. RESULTS: In Group A 10 patients with a TBSA of 74 ± 25% (mean ± standard deviation), and a SCORTEN-Score of 2.7 ± 0.9 were summarized. Diuresis within the first 10 days after admission was 1 ± 0.3 ml/kg/hour. In Group B 15 patients with a TBSA of 76 ± 19%, and a SCORTEN-Score of 3.5 ± 1 were included. Diuresis within the first 10 days after admission was 1.4 ± 0.4 ml/kg/hour. Hypernatremia occurred on day 3.3 ± 2.4 after admission and persisted for 5.3 ± 2.9 days. Statistical analysis showed a significantly higher diuresis (p=0.007) and SCORTEN-Score (p=0.04) in the hypernatremic patients. One normonatremic and 8 hypernatremic patients died during ICU-stay (overall mortality rate 36%). A significantly higher mortality rate was found in Group B (odds ratio: 13,5; 95% confidence interval: 1.34-135.98; p=0.01) during ICU-stay. CONCLUSION: TEN patients with an in-hospital acquired hypernatremia have an increased mortality risk. Close electrolyte monitoring is advisable in these patients.