Clinical experience with Leptospermum honey use for treatment of hard to heal neonatal wounds: case series.

Preterm, critically ill neonates represent a challenge in wound healing. Many factors predispose infants to skin injuries, including decreased epidermal-dermal cohesion, deficient stratum corneum, relatively alkaline pH of skin surface, impaired nutrition and presence of multiple devices on the skin. We present a case series describing the use of medical-grade honey-Leptospermum honey (Medihoney), for successful treatment of slowly healing neonatal wounds, specifically stage 3 pressure ulcer, dehiscent and infected sternal wound, and full-thickness wound from an extravasation injury.

Use of a calibrated force gauge in clear corneal cataract surgery to quantify point-pressure manipulation.

PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate a calibrated force gauge designed to simulate the effect of patient-induced manipulation of the eye with resultant elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and use the device to determine the stability of cataract incisions. SETTING: Three private practice study sites. DESIGN: Clinical trials. METHODS: A calibrated force gauge was developed to apply controlled and quantifiable amounts of force to the eye. In study 1, the calibrated force gauge was used to evaluate the change in IOP during application of 1 oz of external force in a group of healthy volunteers. In studies 2 and 3, the calibrated force gauge was used to assess wound leakage of clear corneal incisions that were subjected to stromal hydration or sutures, respectively. RESULTS: In study 1, with the application of 1.00 oz of external force, the mean IOP rose from a baseline of 17.49 mm Hg to 43.44 mm Hg. In study 2 (stromal hydration) using up to 1.00 oz of force, the leak rate was 67% for the main incision. The overall leak rate for study 3 (sutures) using up to 1.00 oz of force was 23.8%. No adverse events or serious adverse events occurred during these studies. CONCLUSIONS: Study 1 confirmed that 1.00 oz of force is a realistic approximation of the amount of force a patient's eye may experience during rubbing. After clear corneal cataract surgery, the application of 1.00 oz of force to the ocular surface for approximately 2 to 3 seconds may simulate the propensity for postoperative wound leak resulting from patient manipulation.

Incision separation after eye rubbing on a postradial keratotomy cornea: a case report.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to explore the diagnosis and the treatment of a complication secondary to a radial keratotomy (RK) surgery. It illustrates the fact that, even more than 20 years after the procedure, corneas that underwent RK procedures may still be at risk for complications. METHODS: The patient was seen in emergency department in September 2008 for a red and painful eye. Examination revealed a separation of one RK incision consequent to heavy eye rubbing. Treatment initiated for this condition is similar to treatment of minor corneal erosion and is explained. RESULTS: After intensive lubrication, the condition healed in 2 weeks, without further complications. CONCLUSION: It is shown that patients after RK remain at risk for corneal complications over the years after their initial surgical procedures. Patients should be educated about the fragility of their cornea and globe and to do not rub their eyes. Eye care practitioners should reinforce these messages periodically. A close follow-up of post-RK patients is needed to keep these patients in optimal ocular health.

Comparative study of the healing process of the aponeurosis of the anterior abdominal wall of rats after wound closure using 3-0 nylon suture and N-butil-2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive / Estudo comparativo da cicatrização da aponeurose da parede abdominal anterior com a utilização do fio de poliamida monofilamentar 3-0 e o adesivo N-Butil-2-Cianoacrilato em ratos

PURPOSE: To investigate the healing process of the aponeurosis of the anterior abdominal wall of rats, comparing two different materials for wound closure: 3-0 nylon suture and tissue adhesive N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. METHODS: Forty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups according to the type of material used (suture or adhesive) and the number of days until reoperation (seven or 14 days). After a 4 cm incision in the aponeurosis, 22 rats underwent wound closure using 3-0 nylon suture and the other 22, the tissue adhesive. After seven days, 11 rats from each group were weighed again, submitted to reoperation and then euthanized. The same procedure was carried out after 14 days with the remaining rats. The surgical wound was macroscopically examined, the tensile strength was measured and the tissue edges were histologically examined. The statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance and Cox's proportional hazards model. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The animals lost on average 20 g over the period between the two operations. Wound closure was faster using the tissue adhesive. Only one animal, from the tissue adhesive group, had a small abscess with wound dehiscence. With regard to tensile strength, the best results were obtained with the tissue adhesive 14 days after the first surgery. The results of the histological examination showed no significant difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Upon morphological evaluation, the two types of material analyzed in this study (3-0 nylon suture and N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, a tissue adhesive) were not significantly different with regard to the healing process of the aponeurosis of the anterior abdominal wall of rats. Wound closure using the tissue adhesive was faster. Higher tensile strength was observed in the tissue adhesive group 14 days after the first surgery.

OBJETIVO: Investigar o processo de cicatrização da aponeurose da parede abdominal anterior em ratos, comparando dois diferentes materiais de sutura: fio de poliamida monofilamentar 3-0 e adesivo N-butil-2-cianoacrilato. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e quatro ratos Wistar, foram divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos, de acordo com o material de síntese (fio e adesivo cirúrgico) e o tempo de reoperação (7 e 14 dias). Após uma incisão de 4 cm na aponeurose, 22 animais foram submetidos à síntese com o fio de poliamida e os outros 22 animais com o adesivo proposto. Após o procedimento, aguardou-se um período de 7 e 14 dias, quando os animais, 11 de cada grupo, foram novamente pesados e submetidos à eutanásia, sendo realizada a avaliação macroscópica da ferida operatória, mensuração da força de ruptura da parede abdominal e estudo histológico das bordas da incisão. A análise estatística foi realizada através de um modelo de análise de variância e de riscos proporcionais de Cox, considerando significantes valores de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Os animais apresentaram uma perda média de 20 g, do dia da operação para o dia da reoperação. A síntese da aponeurose com o adesivo tecidual foi o método mais rápido. Apenas um animal, do grupo adesivo tecidual, apresentou pequeno abscesso local com deiscência de sutura. Com relação à força de ruptura da aponeurose, o melhor desempenho foi do grupo adesivo tecidual, com 14 dias de pós-operatório. Quanto ao estudo histológico, os resultados não mostraram diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos. CONCLUSÕES: O estudo do processo de cicatrização da aponeurose da parede abdominal anterior mostrou que tanto a síntese com o adesivo N-butil-2-cianoacrilato como com o fio de poliamida monofilamentar 3-0 não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante na avaliação morfológica, enquanto que a síntese com o adesivo foi mais rápida e mais resistente ao teste de força de ruptura no 14° dia do que a síntese com o fio.

Comparative study of the healing process of the aponeurosis of the anterior abdominal wall of rats after wound closure using 3-0 nylon suture and N-butil-2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive.

PURPOSE: To investigate the healing process of the aponeurosis of the anterior abdominal wall of rats, comparing two different materials for wound closure: 3-0 nylon suture and tissue adhesive N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. METHODS: Forty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups according to the type of material used (suture or adhesive) and the number of days until reoperation (seven or 14 days). After a 4 cm incision in the aponeurosis, 22 rats underwent wound closure using 3-0 nylon suture and the other 22, the tissue adhesive. After seven days, 11 rats from each group were weighed again, submitted to reoperation and then euthanized. The same procedure was carried out after 14 days with the remaining rats. The surgical wound was macroscopically examined, the tensile strength was measured and the tissue edges were histologically examined. The statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance and Cox's proportional hazards model. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The animals lost on average 20 g over the period between the two operations. Wound closure was faster using the tissue adhesive. Only one animal, from the tissue adhesive group, had a small abscess with wound dehiscence. With regard to tensile strength, the best results were obtained with the tissue adhesive 14 days after the first surgery. The results of the histological examination showed no significant difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Upon morphological evaluation, the two types of material analyzed in this study (3-0 nylon suture and N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, a tissue adhesive) were not significantly different with regard to the healing process of the aponeurosis of the anterior abdominal wall of rats. Wound closure using the tissue adhesive was faster. Higher tensile strength was observed in the tissue adhesive group 14 days after the first surgery.

Photochemical keratodesmos as an adjunct to sutures for bonding penetrating keratoplasty corneal incisions.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the benefit of photochemical keratodesmos (PKD) in acute wound closure of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) corneal incisions in vivo. SETTING: Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. METHODS: Penetrating keratoplasty incisions were performed in both eyes of 6 New Zealand white rabbits, followed by application of 1.5 mM rose bengal dye at the wound edges. The incision in 1 eye of each rabbit was irradiated with neodymium:YAG laser light at 532 nm and fluence of 40 J/cm2; the contralateral control eye was untreated. Intraocular pressure at which fluid leaked at the edges (IOPL) was determined immediately after surgery. RESULTS: The mean IOPL was 410 mm Hg +/- 70 (SD) in the PKD-treated eyes and 250 +/- 150 mm Hg in the unirradiated eyes. The difference was statistically significant by paired t test (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Photochemical keratodesmos may be a useful adjunct to sutures for approximating PKP corneal incisions in the immediate postoperative period. This process does not induce high temperature, and thus denaturation can be avoided and structural integrity restored.

Photochemical keratodesmos for repair of lamellar corneal incisions.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of photochemical keratodesmos (PKD) for closing surgical incisions in the cornea of enucleated rabbit eyes compared with that achieved using sutures and self-sealing incisions. METHODS: A 3.5-mm incision, at an angle parallel to the iris, was made in the cornea of enucleated New Zealand White rabbit eyes. The intraocular pressure required to cause leakage (IOP(L)) from the untreated incision was then recorded. Photochemical keratodesmos treatment was then performed by application of a dye, Rose Bengal (RB), in saline solution to the surfaces of the incision wound, followed by laser irradiation at 514 nm from an argon ion laser. Immediately after treatment, the IOP(L) was measured. Both dose and laser irradiance dependencies were studied in five or more eyes for each condition and appropriate control eyes. The IOP(L)s were compared with those obtained using conventional interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures. Other dyes were tested in a similar fashion. RESULTS: The IOP(L) of 300 mm Hg was obtained using a fluence of 1270 J/cm(2) with an irradiance of 1.27 W/cm(2) (laser exposure time, 16 minutes 40 seconds). No sealing was observed using dye or light alone where control pressures of approximately 30 mm Hg were found. At higher dose (1524 J/cm(2)) and irradiance (3.82 W/cm(2); 6 minutes 35 seconds), PKD was less effective, which may be attributable to thermal effects. PKD produced IOP(L)s similar to those in closure by sutures. Other dyes such as riboflavin-5-phosphate and N:-hydroxy-pyridine thione also produced efficient bonding after PKD. Nonphotochemically active dyes did not produce significant increases in the IOP(L) at which leakage occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in IOP(L) after PKD treatment, comparable with that with sutures, in enucleated rabbit eyes demonstrates the feasibility of this technique ex vivo.

The effect of chemotherapy on soft tissue and bone healing in the rabbit model.

UNLABELLED: The effect of chemotherapy on soft tissue and bone healing was studied in a rabbit femoral fracture model. Adriamycin was administered at various intervals preoperatively. Results were compared against a control group in which adriamycin was omitted. Post-chemotherapy blood count profiles were monitored. All animals were operated on with a standard skin incision, osteotomy of the femur and fixation with an intramedullary wire. Soft tissue was assessed with daily clinical scoring and tested for wound breaking strength at two weeks postoperatively. Bone healing was assessed at the time of sacrifice six weeks postoperatively by four-point bending to failure. Clinical scoring of wounds did not show significant differences between control and adriamycin-treated groups. Results of wound breaking strength and four-point bending to failure showed significant impairment for animals given adriamycin four and seven days preoperatively, and no significant impairment when given 14 days preoperatively. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Contrary to previous studies, our results suggest that it is feasible to combine neoadjuvant chemotherapy and early surgery without compromise of soft tissue healing. Our results show that adriamycin impairs bone healing. We postulate that adriamycin has a temporary and reversible inhibitory effect on bone biology. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Effects of chronic corticosteroids and vitamin A on the healing of intestinal anastomoses.

The ability of vitamin A to reverse the inhibitory effects of chronic corticosteroids on cutaneous and fascial wound healing is well established. To investigate this in the unique low-collagen environment of the intestinal anastomosis, 35 rabbits received twice-daily injections of either saline (control), dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg/day), dexamethasone plus low-dose vitamin A (1,000 IU/kg/day), or dexamethasone plus high-dose vitamin A (10,000 IU/kg/day) for a 2-week period. Animals then underwent creation of single-layer, inverting small and large intestine anastomoses. All injections were continued postoperatively. A fifth group received only dexamethasone preoperatively and dexamethasone plus high-dose vitamin A postoperatively. On postoperative day 7, animals underwent in situ assessment of anastomotic bursting pressure and subsequent histologic examination using a modified Ehrlich/Hunt scale. Corticosteroids significantly impaired the healing of small and large intestine anastomoses, with decreased bursting pressures and histologic parameters at 1 week. Only high-dose vitamin A significantly reversed this inhibitory effect, whether given preoperatively or only postoperatively.

Effect of mechanical bowel preparation on anastomotic integrity following low anterior resection in dogs.

To assess the effect of mechanical bowel preparation on anastomotic integrity after low anterior resection, 36 mongrel dogs were randomized to have low anterior resection with or without mechanical bowel preparation. All dogs received prophylactic antibiotics and anastomotic integrity was assessed on the ninth postoperative day by barium enema, inspection of anastomoses for defects after careful excision at laparotomy, and anastomotic bursting pressures. Bursting pressures were significantly higher (P less than 0.005) in the group with bowel preparation. Anastomotic defects were present in 13 per cent of animals with bowel preparation and 47 per cent without bowel preparation (P = 0.057). Pelvic abscess and death from peritonitis occurred in 6 per cent of the group with bowel preparation and 29 per cent of the unprepared group. Mechanical bowel preparation significantly enhanced anastomotic integrity and reduced complications in this model.

Effect of liquid formula diets supplemented with citrus pectin on intestinal structure and function.

Three studies in rats and one in normal humans subjects have documented improvements in both colonic structure and function in different conditions of colonic dysfunction. It is suggested that studies be performed in patients with colonic dysfunction to confirm these observations.