Compartment Syndrome Secondary to Group A Streptococcus Infection in the Presence of a Congenital Hemangioma.

OBJECTIVES: Nontraumatic compartment syndrome is frequently difficult to diagnose but this is especially troublesome in infants. Pain is the most sensitive sign and is characteristically severe and refractory to routine analgesia. Failure to diagnose and treat can lead to disability, multiorgan failure, and death. Surgical intervention is crucial and includes emergent fasciotomy, debridement, nerve decompression, and later skin grafting. Streptococcal myositis causing compartment syndrome is more likely in the immunocompromised patient.Congenital hemangiomas are rare, benign vascular tumors that present fully grown at birth. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: This case report details a healthy child, with a resolving congenital hemangioma of the forearm, presenting with toxic shock syndrome and a streptococcal myositis creating a compartment syndrome in the same forearm after an upper respiratory tract infection. The child underwent an emergent fasciotomy and debridement of the arm. Profound systemic effects necessitated transfer to intensive care unit and continuing postoperative mechanical ventilation, inotropic support, intravenous antibiotics, and immunoglobulin administration. Postoperatively, blood cultures and wound biopsies were all positive for Beta Hemolytic Group A Streptococci. Several days later, after a course of antibiotics, the volar forearm was closed with meshed split thickness skin grafts with good graft take. In our patient, we concluded that the hemangioma may have acted as a locus to attract the hematogenous spread of the streptococcal infection from the throat and caused a soft tissue infection that led to massive edema of the limb and consequently to compartment syndrome.

Surgical site infection in reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery: A single center retrospective analysis of the association between healthcare workers and infections.

BACKGROUND: Reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgeries are frequently performed procedures, and the consequences of a postoperative infection are devastating both for the patient and the healthcare (HC) system. Over the years, there has been heightened interest in the physical and mental well-being of physicians and HC workers. Little is known about the relationship between HC workers and surgical site infections (SSI), and whether HC workers are at an increased risk for SSI. The aim of this study was to investigate whether women working in the HC system have an increased risk for SSI following reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery at our institution between the years 2013-2020. Women who were recognized as HC workers were analyzed in a separate group and compared to those who were not. RESULTS: Records of 378 patients were reviewed, of whom 53 (14%) were identified as HC workers. The overall infection rate was 17.4%. HC workers manifested a higher infection rate than the other group (32% vs. 15.1%, p<0.05) and a significantly higher relative risk for SSI (RR 2.12, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Women working in the HC system may have an increased risk of developing postoperative infectious complications following aesthetic and reconstructive breast-related surgery. Further research is needed to corroborate these findings and elucidate the causes.

Radiographic Characteristics of the Hand in Apert Syndrome.

Background: In a small series, it has been postulated that delayed release of complex syndactyly of the 3rd web in Apert syndrome patients causes compression on epiphyses, with early epiphyseal closure, leading to symphalangism and reduced capitate ossification. We wished to see whether this remains true in a larger series. Methods: We reviewed radiographs of 48 patients (86 hands) with Apert syndrome seen in the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, between the years 2001-2012. Patients underwent surgical release of syndactyly in a staged fashion with the 3rd web release left until last. We measured the size of the capitate ossification center relative to that of the hamate and determined the relative position of the middle finger metacarpal relative to the ring finger metacarpal. Results: We found agreement with many findings, however we weren't able to demonstrate the catch-up growth of the capitate after release of the third web. The failure of normal distal migration of the 3rd metacarpal appeared to occur until the 3rd web release is performed. Conclusions: Consistent findings of delayed ossification of the capitate and failure of normal distal migration of the third metacarpal add support to the initial hypothesis, however, we cannot fully conclude that an earlier release of the third web is recommended, further research is still needed.

Unusual intercoronary communication of possible traumatic origin: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The normal coronary circulation is physiologically interconnected by intercoronary and intracoronary anastomoses that are functionally insignificant and cannot be visualized by conventional coronary angiography due to their small size. The development of significant coronary stenosis increases the flow through these anastomoses and hence their size, making them readily visible. Large intercoronary communications in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease constitute a very rare coronary artery anomaly, which is thought to be congenital in origin and located in specific anatomic locations. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old man was admitted to our department due to typical anginotic pain. Coronary angiography revealed a subtotal occlusion of the proximal circumflex and a very unusual tortuous intercoronary communication between the left main coronary artery and the left anterior descending artery. A drug eluting stent was successfully deployed at the circumflex and the patient's symptoms resolved. Medical history was retaken revealing that he suffered a strong blunt trauma of the chest as an adolescent, which we believe could be a possible alternative explanation for the formation of the intercoronary communication. Comparison to a previous angiogram performed 4 years earlier showed that the intercoronary communication was already present and remained unchanged over the years. DISCUSSION: It is suggested that intercoronary communication arising from unusual locations and developing in disorganized fashion can be suspected as being of traumatic origin. We believe that there is no need for intervention to treat this type of anomaly.