A novel approach to rapid rewarming of a frostbitten extremity: The sous vide method.

BACKGROUND: Rapid rewarming of an acutely frostbitten extremity has been the standard treatment for nearly 60 years, however, there are no existing practical recommendations to create a warm water bath. Our study describes a novel approach to rapid rewarming using a sous vide cooking device to create and maintain a circulating warm water bath at a desired set temperature. METHODS: A series of in vitro experiments were performed to assess the efficacy of different methods of maintaining constant water temperature while rapidly rewarming a simulated frostbitten extremity (frozen pig's foot). An Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker® was attached to a 5 gallon bucket and used to circulate and maintain the water at 104 °F while rewarming a frozen pig's foot. This method was compared to manual exchange of water to maintain the temperature at 104 °F and to a control with no water exchanged. During each experiment, the temperature of the water was recorded every 2 min and the pliability of the pig's foot was assessed after 30 min. RESULTS: The sous vide method maintained circulating water at a constant temperature of 104 °F for 30 min. At 30 min the frozen pig's foot was warm, soft, and pliable. The manual method resulted in temperature fluctuations requiring frequent large volume water exchanges. When no water was exchanged, the water cooled quickly and the pig's foot remained partially frozen. CONCLUSION: Sous vide rewarming is a novel method that easily creates and maintains a warm water bath ideal for rapid rewarming of a frostbitten extremity.

Selective debridement of burn wounds using hydrosurgery system.

In recent years, hydrosurgery is a technology that has been applied more and more in debridement procedures. However, the selectivity of hydrosurgery to cutaneous necrotic tissues has not been proved. This study was designed to investigate the possible tissue selectivity of hydrosurgery in the debridement in burn wounds. Deep partial-thickness burns were produced on the back of porcine, and 48 hours later, both burn wounds and normal skin were debrided using the hydrosurgery system. Then tissue samples were taken, and histological staining was performed and observed under microscope. Burn wound resection rates and the normal skin damaged rates were measured. Our result indicated that the burn wounds were significantly more sensitive than the normal skin when the water pressure produced by the hydrosurgery system was set between 3000 and 5000 psi (pounds per square inch), that is, the necrotic tissue portions were debrided more easily than the normal skin tissue. Based on these data, we suggest that 3000 to 5000 psi of water pressure in the hydrosurgery system has a skin tissue selectivity in burn wounds.

[Extensive fibromata pendulantia. Hydrosurgery as a therapy option using the Versajet technique]. / Flächenhafte Fibromata pendulantia. Hydrochirurgie als Therapieoption mittels Versajet-Technik.

Fibromata pendulantia often appear as small filiform skin tags with a narrow pedicle in the neck, axilla and groin areas. Hitherto, extensive fibromata pendulantia were resected either surgically (curette, scissors, scalpel) or by laser. The present case study of an adipose patient with disseminated fibromata pendulantia in the axillary region in the setting of pseudoacanthosis nigricans introduces the Versajet hydrosurgery technique as an alternative method. It is able to remove tissue and rinse the wound simultaneously by means of a high-pressure water jet.

Surgical debridement with VERSAJET: an analysis of bacteria load of the wound bed pre- and post-treatment and skin graft taken. A preliminary pilot study.

Surgical debridement, which is used for the removal of necrotic tissue from a wound, is becoming more and more important in the treatment of skin injuries. VERSAJET (VERSAJET™, Versajet Hydrosurgery System, Smith and Nephew, Hull, UK) is one of the techniques used for wound debridement. Medical literature does not present either analytical or comparative data correlating the bacterial load with the VERSAJET treatment. For this reason, we have decided to carry out a study to evaluate the level of bacterial contamination before and after the surgical debridement treatment with VERSAJET and, in connection with this, the correlation between the bacterial load and the successful healing of the skin graft. We took a total of 100 bacteriological swabs, 50 before and 50 from 27 selected patients after the treatment with VERSAJET, with which the wound bed was prepared to receive the skin graft or Integra graft in order to acquire data about the level of bacterial contamination. After analysing all those data we can assume that reducing the bacterial load is not the only variable which the successful healing of the skin graft depends on. In conclusion, there is still many data to analyse and study in order to better understand the qualitative and quantitative presence of bacteria and the success of this future surgical procedure. We remind that the performance of this study was not sponsored by any company.

[Death in a relaxation tank]. / Tod im Entspannungstank.

Complete relaxation can be achieved by floating in a darkened, sound-proof relaxation tank filled with salinated water kept at body temperature. Under these conditions, meditation exercises up to self-hypnosis may lead to deep relaxation with physical and mental revitalization. A user manipulated his tank, presumably to completely cut off all optical and acoustic stimuli and accidentally also covered the ventilation hole. The man was found dead in his relaxation tank. The findings suggested lack of oxygen as the cause of death.

[The role of Versajet in the surgical treatment of rhinophyma. Case report]. / Intérêt du Versajet dans le traitement chirurgical du rhinophyma. A propos d'un cas.

Rhinophyma is an hypertrophy of the nose occurring primarily in men, from the age of 40, secondary to hyperplasia and fibrosis of sebaceous glands. This pathology is particularly unsightly and sometimes responsible of nasal obstruction. The treatment of this pathology is primarily surgical and the purpose of all techniques is to carry out a decortication. The authors describe one case of surgical treatment of rhinophyma by hydro-dissection using Versajet. After having presented the other possibilities of surgical technics for the treatment of this pathology, the authors compare the advantages and drawbacks of this new technique compared to those described in the international literature.

A prospective randomised controlled clinical trial comparing hydrosurgery debridement with conventional surgical debridement in lower extremity ulcers.

Debridement of devitalised tissue is an essential component of the effective treatment of chronic wounds. The Versajet Hydrosurgery System is a new technology that simultaneously cuts and aspirates soft tissue. In this study we compared Versajet with conventional surgical techniques in the debridement of lower extremity ulcers to assess impact on time and resources for debridement. Forty-one patients with a mean age of 68 years (range 33 to 95 years) underwent surgical debridement of a lower extremity ulcer. Operating room (OR) sessions were randomised to Versajet (n= 22) or conventional debridement (n= 19) with scalpel plus pulsed lavage. Procedure time and utilisation of consumables were recorded. Wound areas were monitored for 12 weeks. There was significant evidence (P < 0.008) of a shorter debridement time (10.8 min) using Versajet over conventional debridement (17.7 min); a mean saving of 6.9 minutes (39%). In addition, a significant reduction in use of pulsed lavage and saline (P < 0.001) was observed with Versajet. Overall, clinical efficacy of the shorter debridement procedure was similar: median time to wound closure 71 days (Versajet) vs. 74 days (conventional) (P= 0.733). We found Versajet to be quicker than conventional debridement in the debridement of lower extremity ulcers without compromising wound healing. Potential cost savings were identified from the use of VERSAJET through the shorter debridement time allowing more patients to be treated in the same operating schedule.

Cooling and hemodynamic management in heatstroke: practical recommendations.

INTRODUCTION: Although rapid cooling and management of circulatory failure are crucial to the prevention of irreversible tissue damage and death in heatstroke, the evidence supporting the optimal cooling method and hemodynamic management has yet to be established. METHODS: A systematic review of all clinical studies published in Medline (1966 to 2006), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature) (1982 to 2006), and Cochrane Database was performed using the OVID interface without language restriction. Search terms included heatstroke, sunstroke, and heat stress disorders. RESULTS: Fourteen articles reported populations subjected to cooling treatment for classic or exertional heatstroke and included data on cooling time, neurologic morbidity, or mortality. Five additional articles described invasive monitoring with central venous or pulmonary artery catheters. The four clinical trials and 15 observational studies covered a total of 556 patients. A careful analysis of the results obtained indicated that the cooling method based on conduction, namely immersion in iced water, was effective among young people, military personnel, and athletes with exertional heatstroke. There was no evidence to support the superiority of any one cooling technique in classic heatstroke. The effects of non-invasive, evaporative, or conductive-based cooling techniques, singly or combined, appeared to be comparable. No evidence of a specific endpoint temperature for safe cessation of cooling was found. The circulatory alterations in heatstroke were due mostly to a form of distributive shock associated with relative or absolute hypovolemia. Myocardial failure was found to be rare. CONCLUSION: A systematic review of the literature failed to identify reliable clinical data on the optimum treatment of heatstroke. Nonetheless, the findings of this study could serve as a framework for preliminary recommendations in cooling and hemodynamic management of heatstroke until more evidence-based data are generated.

New circulating-water devices warm more quickly than forced-air in volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Newer circulating-water systems supply more heat than forced-air, mainly because the heat capacity of water is much greater than for that of dry warm air and, in part, because they provide posterior as well as anterior heating. Several heating systems are available, but three major ones have yet to be compared directly. We therefore compared two circulating-water systems with a forced-air system during simulation of upper abdominal or chest surgery in volunteers. METHODS: Seven healthy volunteers participated on three separate study days. Each day, they were anesthetized and cooled to a core temperature near 34 degrees C, which was maintained for 45-60 min. They were then rewarmed with one of three warming systems until distal esophageal core temperature reached 36 degrees C or anesthesia had lasted 8 h. The warming systems were 1) energy transfer pads (two split torso pads and two universal pads; Kimberly Clark, Roswell, GA); 2) circulating-water garment (Allon MTRE 3365 for cardiac surgery, Akiva, Israel); and 3) lower body forced-air warming (Bair Hugger #525, #750 blower, Eden Prairie, MN). Data are presented as mean +/- sd; P < 0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: The rate of increase of core temperature from 34 degrees C to 36 degrees C was 1.2 degrees C +/- 0.2 degrees C/h with the Kimberly Clark system, 0.9 degrees C +/- 0.2 degrees C/h with the Allon system, and 0.6 degrees C +/- 0.1 degrees C/h with the Bair Hugger (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The warming rate with the Kimberly Clark system was 25% faster than with the Allon system and twice as fast as with the Bair Hugger. Both circulating-water systems thus warmed hypothermic volunteers in significantly less time than the forced-air system.

[Clinical experiences using the Versajet system in burns: indications and applications]. / Klinische Erfahrungen mit dem Versajet-System in der Verbrennungsbehandlung - Indikationen und Anwendungen.

Early debridement and early skin grafting are the "Gold standard" in the surgical treatment of burns. There are different debridement methods available. Concerning the treatment of burns, surgical-sharp debridement, laser ablation and hydrosurgery system are used. While in full thickness burns the sharp debridement is advisable, the Versajet shows its benefits in the treatment of partial thickness burns. Especially for debridement of difficult to treat areas - face, neck, lips, fingers, interdigital spaces, convex and concave areas the Versajet System shows its benefits. With the Versajet System, tissue excision is precise; moreover it helps to avoid the damage of viable tissue and its vascular supply.

Skin grafting of a chronic leg ulcer with combined Versajet-V.A.C. therapy.

A new method for surgical wound debridement is the Versajet hydrosurgery technique. This technique uses a high velocity jet of sterile saline with a speed up to 1,078 km/h (670 miles/h). By using the Venturi effect (fluid speeds up in a restriction, reducing its pressure and producing a partial vacuum), a simultaneous vacuum is created across the operating window of the handpiece. The application of this high velocity fluid jet to a chronic wound enables precise debridement without collateral tissue damage. The vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.) therapy is used for chronic wounds to induce faster wound healing. This system creates a vacuum-induced negative pressure to a specific wound area resulting in an accelerated formation of granulation tissue in the wound bed. We present a patient who experienced rapid wound healing when both of these techniques were combined to clean the wound. After split-thickness skin grafting, V.A.C. therapy was continued. The result was excellent graft acceptance with complete wound healing. This case is unique in that a combination of both therapies resulted in complete wound healing.

Versajet hydroscalpel: treatment of diabetic foot ulceration.

Treatment of diabetic foot ulceration continues to be a challenge to healthcare professionals. Wound healing can be affected in a number of ways, and it is of paramount importance that wound healing is achieved as quickly as possible to minimize the risk of amputation. One key aspect of management is wound debridement. A number of techniques can be employed, including, in severe cases, surgical debridement. These case histories illustrate where the novel Versajet hydroscalpel (Smith & Nephew) would be a useful tool for debriding a foot ulcer effectively without the patient undergoing orthopaedic surgery. The Versajet debrides quickly and efficiently, and a pink and granulating wound base was achieved in all cases. It should be considered for use in specialist centres where complex diabetic foot ulcers are treated and the expertise is available to use it.

Aspectos relacionados à segurança em um serviço de hidroterapia / Aspects relating to safety in a hydrotherapy service

Objetivo: Observar e relatar aspectos relacionados à segurança em um serviço de hidroterapia do município de Goiânia, Goiás. Casuística e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional realizado entre agosto e dezembro de 2017, no período matutino, em um serviço de Fisioterapia de Goiânia, Goiás. Primeiramente, realizou-se uma revisão da literatura buscando artigos científicos no Google Acadêmico, Scielo, PubMed, Medline e literatura especializada (normas técnicas, portarias e resoluções). O levantamento abrangeu a literatura nacional e internacional, artigos originais gratuitos e disponíveis na íntegra, sendo utilizados como descritores: acessibilidade, padrões da hidroterapia, risco, contraindicações, perigo e precauções. Em seguida, tomando como referência as normas e recomendações para serviços de hidroterapia encontradas na literatura, foi construída uma tabela constando os aspectos de segurança observados. Resultados: De 31 itens elencados e observados neste estudo, quatro (12,9%) não puderam ser avaliados, 14 (45,2%) atenderam aos padrões e recomendações e 13 (41,9%) apresentaram necessidade de reflexão e melhoria, uma vez que não atenderam às exigências apresentadas nas normas vigentes. Conclusão: O serviço de hidroterapia observado requer a adoção de algumas medidas de segurança, recomendando-se um olhar mais cuidadoso frente ao assunto e um esforço coletivo no sentido de ampliar a discussão sobre segurança nesta área, a fim de tornar os profissionais conscientes de seus atos e do pleno atendimento às normas técnicas vigentes

Objective: Observe and report safety-related aspects in a hydrotherapy service in the city of Goiânia, Goiás. Casuistry and Methods: This is an observational study carried out between August and December of 2017, in the morning period, in a Physiotherapy service in the city of Goiânia, Goiás. Initially, a literature review was carried out searching for scientific articles on Google Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, Medline and specialized literature (technical standards, ordinances and resolutions). The survey covered national and international literature, original articles were free and available in full, being used as descriptors: accessibility, hydrotherapy standards, risk, contraindications, danger and precautions. Then, with the rules/recommendations for a hydrotherapy service taken from the literature review, a table was built and during the internship, the safety aspects contained in the table were observed by that service. Results: Of 31 items listed and observed in this study, four (12.9%) could not be evaluated, 14 (45.2%) met the standards and recommendations and 13 (41.9%) generated energy for reflection and improvement, since they did not meet the requirements of current regulations. Conclusion: The observed hydrotherapy service requires the adoption of some safety measures, recommending a more careful look at the subject and a collective effort to expand the discussion on safety in this area, in order to make professionals aware of their acts and full compliance with current technical standards.

Developing Deep Water Excercise Equipment for Low Back Pain (LBP) Patients: medical validation experiences.

Authors describe a joint work of practicing physicians and rehabilitation specialist engineers. In our work we wanted to prove the efficacy of deep-water physiotherapy among the hydrotherapy treatments in patients with degenerative chronic low back pain, by monitoring both objective and subjective parameters. On the other hand, we are also seeking the possibilities of developing a water exercise tool which can spare the shoulders, can be used in deep water and is suitable for helping the three-dimensional movements of the spine without burdening the upper limbs and shoulders.

Staphylococcus aureus and community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in and around therapeutic whirlpools in college athletic training rooms.

CONTEXT: Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has become a leading cause of skin and soft tissue infection in the nonhospitalized community. Care of the athletes in athletic training rooms is specifically designed with equipment tailored to the health care needs of the athletes, yet recent studies indicate that CA-MRSA is still prevalent in athletic facilities and that cleaning methods may not be optimal. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and CA-MRSA in and around whirlpools in the athletic training room. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I university. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Student-athletes (n = 109) consisting of 46 men (42%) and 63 women (58%) representing 6 sports. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Presence of MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus in and around the whirlpool structures relative to sport and number of athletes using the whirlpools. RESULTS: We identified Staphylococcus aureus in 22% (n = 52/240) of the samples and MRSA in 0.8% (n = 2/240). A statistically significant difference existed between the number of athletes using the whirlpool and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in and around the whirlpools (F(2,238) = 2.445, P = .007). However, Staphylococcus aureus was identified regardless of whether multiple athletes used a whirlpool or no athletes used a whirlpool. We did not identify a relationship between the number of athletes who used a whirlpool and Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA density (P = .134). CONCLUSIONS: Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA were identified in and around the whirlpools. Transmission of the bacteria can be reduced by following the cleaning and disinfecting protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Athletic trainers should use disinfectants registered by the Environmental Protection Agency to sanitize all whirlpools between uses.

Kids Intervention Therapy - Aquatic Environment (KITE) for babies 4 to 18 months old, by following the International Classification of Functioning (ICF): clinical trial protocol

Abstract Introduction: the biopsychosocial (BPS) model from the perspective of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) agrees with the current theories regarding child development. They state the interdependence between the individual's relations, environment and received stimuli. The early interventions, particularly in the aquatic environment (AE), present gaps concerning their systematization, above all in their being in accordance with the ICF. Objectives: to describe an ICF-based aquatic early intervention program, named KITE, for the neuropsychomotor development (NPMD) of typical, at-risk and/or delayed babies 4 to 18 months old. Methods: the KITE is a program systematized on the AE, centered on the family and the daycare environment; it takes place twice a week, lasting for 4 weeks, in 45- to 60-minute sessions. The assessments and interventions are systematized by following the ICF. For the main outcome on the NPMD, the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II) are used, and as the secondary outcome on the stimulation received, quality of life and aquatic skills, the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development - Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS), the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) and the Aquatic Functional Assessment Scale - Baby (AFAS Baby) are used, respectively. Conclusion: This study has presented tools for the application of a clinical trial through the KITE for the NPMD of babies, systematized and based on the BPS perspective of the ICF, and discussed according to the neuroplastic evidence of the child development.

Low airloss hydrotherapy versus standard care for incontinent hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether low airloss hydrotherapy reduces the incidence of new skin lesions associated with incontinence in hospitalized patients and results in more rapid healing of existing pressure sores compared with standard care. To assess subjectively patient and nursing satisfaction related to using low airloss hydrotherapy beds. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, unblinded study. SETTING: Acute and chronic hospital wards. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 116 newly admitted, incontinent, hospitalized patients with and without existing pressure sores. INTERVENTION: Low airloss hydrotherapy compared with treatment on hospital beds and mattresses ordered by the patient's attending physician. MEASUREMENTS: Incidence rates of new skin lesion development, e.g., pressure sores, candidiasis, and chemical irritation; improvement in existing pressure sore size, volume, and status; subjective assessment of patient and nursing satisfaction. RESULTS: Possible hypothermia was identified in two patients during the first week of the study, and patient and nursing dissatisfaction with low airloss hydrotherapy remained high throughout the first months of the study. Therefore, two major modifications in the initial protocol were made: (1) increased patient temperature monitoring for hypothermia was initiated in Week 2 of the study and (2) increased staff resources for in-service training on bed use began in Week 18 of the study. After the latter change, 58 subjects were randomized to low airloss hydrotherapy and 58 to standard care. Subjects were old (median age > or = 80 years), and almost all were bedbound or nonambulatory. The median (range) length of follow-up for subjects in the treatment group was significantly shorter than for those in the control group (4 (1-60) days versus 6 (1-62) days, respectively, P = .017) because there were more dropouts from the treatment group (24 (36%) of 58 versus 2 (3%) of 58, P = .0001). The major reasons dropout occurred were patient or family dissatisfaction (12 (21%)), new or worsened skin lesions thought to be related to bed use (4 (7%)), and hypothermia < 97 degrees F (4 (7%)). The total cumulative incidence of new truncal skin lesions within 9 days of enrollment was greater in the treatment than in the control group (48% versus 14%, respectively, P < 0.01). Too few patients with existing pressure sores were treated for too short a period of time to assess the effect of low airloss hydrotherapy on pressure sore healing. Because only 10 patients treated on low airloss hydrotherapy beds were able to complete satisfaction surveys meaningfully, interpretation of these data is difficult. Only nine (21%) of 44 nurses subjectively reported overall satisfaction using the low airloss hydrotherapy bed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the value of a rigorously designed clinically based evaluation of a new product developed for older patients. The results of the study led to re-engineering of the prototype low airloss hydrotherapy bed as well as a change in marketing strategy. Studies of products targeted to the prevention and treatment of pressure sores in older patients should be undertaken before generalized marketing begins.

Two sources of contamination of a hydrotherapy pool by environmental organisms.

As a result of occasional water discolouration, the hydrotherapy pool of a large teaching hospital was monitored for free and combined chlorine, alkalinity, calcium hardness, total dissolved solids and cyanuric acid levels together with bacteriological analysis. The hose pipe supplying the pool and the dual water pumps were also examined as potential sources of bacterial contamination. The pool water yielded high counts of Pseudomonas vesicularis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and CDC Group IV C2, even in the presence of adequate levels of free chlorine. This was found to be due to high concentrations of cyanuric acid which resulted in a 'chlorine lock'. The source of the P. vesicularis and CDC Group IV C2 was found to be the pool hose and this problem was alleviated by flushing it with water each day before use. The source of the P. aeruginosa was the pool pumps, and was eradicated by regularly shock dosing them with 6-8 ppm of free chlorine.

Heat stroke : a review of cooling methods.

The prognosis of heat stroke in patients is directly related to the degree of hyperthermia and its duration. Therefore, the most important feature in the treatment of heat stroke is rapid cooling. Several cooling methods have been presented in the literature including immersion in water at different temperatures, evaporative cooling, ice pack application, pharmacological treatment and invasive techniques. This article describes the various cooling techniques in terms of efficacy, availability, adverse effects and mortality rate. Data suggest that cooling should be initiated immediately at time of collapse and should be based on feasible field measures including ice or tepid water (1-16 degrees C), which are readily available. In the emergency department, management should be matched to the patient's age and medical background and include immersion in ice water (1-5 degrees C) or evaporative cooling.

Nosocomial infections with methicillin and tobramycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus--implication of physiotherapy in hospital-wide dissemination.

From January 1979 to July 1980, methicillin and tobramycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 45 patients at a Veteran's Administration hospital. Of these 45, 36 (80%) had clinical infections involving non-surgical wounds (16), urinary tract (10), blood (8), surgical wounds (7), and sputum (5). The epidemic strain had a single phage type (47/54/75/77/83A), a single, 16.4 Md plasmid, and produced an aminoglycoside inactivating enzyme (AAD[4']). Compared to a control group of patients with nosocomial antibiotic susceptible S. aureus infections, patients with the epidemic strain had more hospital days before a positive culture (p = .004), more severe underlying disease (p = .006), received antibiotics more often (p = .0018), and underwent physiotherapy more often (p = .00007). Although selected environmental and personnel cultures were negative for the epidemic strain, epidemiologic investigation suggested that hospital-wide dissemination of S. aureus may have occurred through patient contacts in the physiotherapy department with subsequent clusters of cases occurring on several wards.