Disinfection capabilities of a 222 nm wavelength ultraviolet lighting device: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the efficacy of the SafeZone UVC (Ushio Inc., Japan) 222 nm ultraviolet C (UVC) light to reduce bacterial burden in pressure ulcers (PUs) in human patients. This research is the first human clinical trial using 222 nm UVC in eradicating bacteria in human wounds. METHOD: Patients with Stage 2 or 3 (as defined by the revised National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel Pressure Injury Staging System) sacral or gluteal pressure ulcers (PUs) were subjected to four sessions of 222 nm UVC light therapy over two weeks. Pre- and post-UVC therapy, wound cultures were taken and quantitative analysis of bacterial colony forming units (CFU) were performed. RESULTS: A total of 68 UV light sessions across 16 different patients were conducted. Of these sessions, 59 (87.0%) sessions showed a reduction in CFU counts, with 20 (29.4%) showing complete eradication of bacteria. Bacteria identified included meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella Pneumoniae. The overall median reduction in CFU of the 68 sessions was 78.9%. No adverse events were reported in any of the UV sessions. CONCLUSION: In this study, 222 nm UVC light was safe and effective in reducing bacterial CFU counts in sacral and gluteal PUs across numerous different species of bacteria.

An Algorithm for the Management of Concomitant Maxillofacial, Laryngeal, and Cervical Spine Trauma.

Concomitant maxillofacial, laryngeal and cervical spine injuries may occur after high-energy accidents. Although this presentation is uncommon, the multiple injuries may compromise airway, breathing, circulation, and neurologic function. We identified 8 adult trauma patients admitted to the National University Hospital with the concomitant injuries. We reviewed the patient data and existing literature to identify the important factors that must be considered for management. Seven resulted from high velocity accidents, whereas 1 was assaulted. An algorithm that prioritizes in-tandem diagnosis and acute management of the adult trauma patient with maxillofacial, laryngeal, and cervical spine trauma was developed. The first priority is to assess airway, breathing, and circulation with cervical spine immobilization. Early diagnosis of patients with severe laryngeal injury, confirmation by video endoscopy, and establishing a surgical airway prevents airway obstruction or even a laryngotracheal dissociation. Urgent computed tomography scans of the head and neck are essential for definitive diagnosis and surgical planning for the 3 injuries. Prudent sequencing of surgery is important to avoid complications and to achieve better functional outcomes.

Computer-assisted navigational surgery improves outcomes in orbital reconstructive surgery.

Orbital reconstruction is a difficult procedure, success of which is dependent on the surgeon's experience. The lack of objective methods requires a fair amount of estimation is its execution. This study evaluates the efficacy of Kolibri (BrainLab, Munich, Germany), an intraoperative navigation device, in improving outcomes. From 2004 to 2009, 58 patients with orbital trauma who underwent surgery at the National University Hospital, Singapore, were included in this prospective matched control trial. Twenty-nine consecutive patients underwent surgery with Kolibri. The control group underwent surgery without the device. Both groups were matched for age, sex, orbital wall fracture, preoperative ophthalmologic features, etiology and severity of trauma, surgical approach, and types of implant used. The postoperative follow-up was at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. For subjective assessment, the postoperative ophthalmologic features, including diplopia, infraorbital hypoesthesia, ophthalmoplegia, and enophthalmos, were compared. At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively, there were fewer patients with postoperative ophthalmologic complications in the study group (italicized; n = 29) compared with the control group (n = 29; P < 0.05): 12/29 (41%) versus 21/29 (72%), 8/29 (28%) versus 19/29 (66%), 5/29 (17%) versus 15/29 (52%), and 2/29 (7%) versus 12/29 (41%). For objective assessment, using the Kolibri workstation, operative plans were created and fused with postoperative computed tomographic scans. Vertical distances between the actual reconstructed and planned orbital floors were measured. On average, the vertical distance measured from the boundaries of floor defects for patients in the study group was 3.24 mm (95% confidence interval, 1.56-4.91) lower than the control group (P = 0.001). In conclusion, navigation minimizes postoperative complications, reduces the need for repeat procedures, and helps surgeons with planning, execution, and postoperative assessment.

Prophylactic Intraoperative Nasolacrimal Duct Intubation in Surgical Treatment of Facial Fractures-Is There a Role?

Nasolacrimal duct (NLD) damage is associated in the majority of type II and III naso-orbito-ethmoid (NOE) fractures. 1 Our study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic NLD intubation in the setting of facial fractures, by comparing incidence of postoperative epiphora and wound infection. A retrospective matched control study was conducted on all patients with surgically treated facial fractures from 2008 to 2013 ( n = 280) (IRB ref number: DSRB 2013/01198). Patients with the following fracture types were included: NOE ( n = 16), frontal sinus ( n = 2), Le Fort II/III ( n = 8), and > 1 type ( n = 48). All patients in this study were included with the intention to treat. The study group comprised patients who were intubated, while the control group patients were not intubated. Each group had 37 patients matched for age, gender, fracture type, and injury type. A single oculoplastic surgeon skilled in lacrimal surgery performed the procedure for all intubated patients. Patients with more severe and complex facial fractures were intubated with bicanalicular Crawford stents. Postoperative epiphora and infective complications (both facial wound and dacryocystitis) were assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. There was no significant difference in incidence of either postoperative epiphora ( p = 0.152) or wound infection ( p = 0.556) comparing both groups. Reduced incidence of postoperative epiphora in the study group is statistically not significant and does not support the need for prophylactic intubation. If radiographic evidence of NLD disruption or regurgitation seen on syringing on the NLD intraoperatively is present, intubation is safe and efficacious only if performed by an expert.

A Protocol to Reduce Interobserver Variability in the Computed Tomography Measurement of Orbital Floor Fractures.

Orbital fracture detection and size determination from computed tomography (CT) scans affect the decision to operate, the type of surgical implant used, and postoperative outcomes. However, the lack of standardization of radiological signs often leads to the false-positive detection of orbital fractures, while nonstandardized landmarks lead to inaccurate defect measurements. We aim to design a novel protocol for CT measurement of orbital floor fractures and evaluate the interobserver variability on CT scan images. Qualitative aspects of this protocol include identifying direct and indirect signs of orbital fractures on CT scan images. Quantitative aspects of this protocol include measuring the surface area of pure orbital floor fractures using computer software. In this study, 15 independent observers without clinical experience in orbital fracture detection and measurement measured the orbital floor fractures of three randomly selected patients following the protocol. The time required for each measurement was recorded. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the surface area measurements is 0.999 (0.997-1.000) with p-value < 0.001. This suggests that any observer measuring the surface area will obtain a similar estimation of the fractured surface area. The maximum error limit was 0.901 cm(2) which is less than the margin of error of 1 cm(2) in mesh trimming for orbital reconstruction. The average duration required for each measurement was 3 minutes 19 seconds (ranging from 1 minute 35 seconds to 5 minutes). Measurements performed with our novel protocol resulted in minimal interobserver variability. This protocol is effective and generated reproducible results, is easy to teach and utilize, and its findings can be interpreted easily.

Bio-conjugated polycaprolactone membranes: a novel wound dressing.

BACKGROUND: The combination of polycaprolactone and hyaluronic acid creates an ideal environment for wound healing. Hyaluronic acid maintains a moist wound environment and accelerates the in-growth of granulation tissue. Polycaprolactone has excellent mechanical strength, limits inflammation and is biocompatible. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of bio-conjugated polycaprolactone membranes (BPM) as a wound dressing. METHODS: 16 New Zealand white rabbits were sedated and local anaesthesia was administered. Two 3.0×3.0 cm full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsum of each rabbit, between the lowest rib and the pelvic bone. The wounds were dressed with either BPM (n=12) or Mepitel (n=12) (control), a polyamide-silicon wound dressing. These were evaluated macroscopically on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative days for granulation, re-epithelialization, infection, and wound size, and histologically for epidermal and dermal regeneration. RESULTS: Both groups showed a comparable extent of granulation and re-epithelialization. No signs of infection were observed. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in wound size between the two groups. BPM (n=6): 8.33 cm(2), 4.90 cm(2), 3.12 cm(2), 1.84 cm(2); Mepitel (n=6): 10.29 cm(2), 5.53 cm(2), 3.63 cm(2), 2.02 cm(2); at the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th postoperative days. The extents of epidermal and dermal regeneration were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: BPM is comparable to Mepitel as a safe and efficacious wound dressing.

Creation of consistent burn wounds: a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Burn infliction techniques are poorly described in rat models. An accurate study can only be achieved with wounds that are uniform in size and depth. We describe a simple reproducible method for creating consistent burn wounds in rats. METHODS: Ten male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and dorsum shaved. A 100 g cylindrical stainless-steel rod (1 cm diameter) was heated to 100℃ in boiling water. Temperature was monitored using a thermocouple. We performed two consecutive toe-pinch tests on different limbs to assess the depth of sedation. Burn infliction was limited to the loin. The skin was pulled upwards, away from the underlying viscera, creating a flat surface. The rod rested on its own weight for 5, 10, and 20 seconds at three different sites on each rat. Wounds were evaluated for size, morphology and depth. RESULTS: Average wound size was 0.9957 cm(2) (standard deviation [SD] 0.1845) (n=30). Wounds created with duration of 5 seconds were pale, with an indistinct margin of erythema. Wounds of 10 and 20 seconds were well-defined, uniformly brown with a rim of erythema. Average depths of tissue damage were 1.30 mm (SD 0.424), 2.35 mm (SD 0.071), and 2.60 mm (SD 0.283) for duration of 5, 10, 20 seconds respectively. Burn duration of 5 seconds resulted in full-thickness damage. Burn duration of 10 seconds and 20 seconds resulted in full-thickness damage, involving subjacent skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: This is a simple reproducible method for creating burn wounds consistent in size and depth in a rat burn model.