Using an anterolateral thigh flap in autologous breast reconstruction as a salvage procedure in a patient with adult-onset Still's disease: A case report.

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is an excellent option for microsurgical breast reconstruction. In selected cases, e.g. in case of previous abdominoplasty, other autologous options like transverse upper gracilis (TUG) or superior gluteal artery perforator (sGAP) flaps can be considered. The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is reported to be used as a salvage procedure in selected cases of breast reconstruction, where other flaps were not available or failed. We present a case of a 41-year-old woman who was undergoing bilateral breast reconstruction after bilateral mastectomies following implant-based mastopexie and multiple infections. She also suffered from an adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) and was thus immunosuppressed. Microsurgical breast reconstruction was performed in a two-stage procedure. The left breast was reconstructed using a TUG flap. On the right side the TUG reconstruction failed due to vascular anomaly, so an ALT flap was successfully used instead. The whole procedure was accompanied by a multidisciplinary approach including a rheumatological complex treatment and enabled a successful bilateral breast reconstruction in this challenging case.

Changes in coagulation and temperature management in burn patients - A survey of burn centers in Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

BACKGROUND: Severely burned patients suffer from both coagulopathy and hypothermia, with a lack of international consensus and appropriate treatment guidelines. This study examines recent developments and trends in coagulation and temperature management in European burn centers. METHODS: A survey was sent to burn centers in Switzerland, Austria and Germany in 2016 and again in 2021. The analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, with categorical data reported in absolute numbers (n) and percentages (%) and numerical data reported as mean and standard deviation. RESULTS: The rate of completed questionnaires was 84 % (16 of 19 questionnaires) in 2016 and 91 % (21 of 22 questionnaires) in 2021. The number of global coagulation tests performed has decreased over the observation period in favor of single factor determination and bed-side point-of-care coagulation tests. This has also led to increased administration of single factor concentrates in therapy. Although many centers had a defined treatment protocol for hypothermia in 2016, coverage increased such that in 2021 all centers surveyed had such a protocol. The body temperature was measured more consistently in 2021; thus, hypothermia was more actively sought, detected and treated. CONCLUSION: A point-of-care guided, factor-based coagulation management and the maintenance of normothermia have gained importance in the care of burn patients in recent years.

Evaluation of Quality of Life (BREAST-Q) and Scar Quality (POSAS) after Breast Augmentation.

This study examines the effects of breast augmentation on women who underwent surgery in Germany regarding their quality of life (QOL) and scar quality using patient-reported surveys. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an increase in women's QOL after surgery compared with preoperative, and to evaluate their postoperative scar quality. Methods: A prospective monocentric study was conducted on 50 women who underwent breast augmentation with nanotextured silicone-filled implants between October 2018 and December 2020. Of these women, 21 (42%) participated in the preoperative survey (BREAST-Q), and 50 (100%) participated in the postoperative survey (BREAST-Q and POSAS). We used the BREAST-Q questionnaire to measure patients' QOL and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale to determine the scar quality. Results: Psychosocial well-being increased by 34.3 points according to the Q-score, sexual well-being increased by 35.7, and satisfaction with breasts increased by 48.8. Physical well-being decreased by 12 points. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale mean scores, according to the patient/observer, are 3.8/2.5 for inframammary scars and 4.4/3.1 for periareolar scars. Conclusions: In this study, we discovered that aesthetic breast augmentation with nanotextured silicone-filled breast implants is associated with significantly higher scores for patient satisfaction, which indicates an improvement in women's QOL.

[Bilateral pedicled gracilis muscle flap and bilateral gluteus muscle flap for multiple-stage reconstruction of vagina, pelvis and perineal region]. / Bilaterale gestielte M. gracilis-Lappenplastik und bilaterale M. gluteus-Rotationslappenplastik zur mehrzeitigen Rekonstruktion der Vagina, des kleinen Beckens sowie der Perinealregion.

Plastic reconstructions of oncological anorectal defects often prove to be very difficult and lead to prolonged hospitalisation due to severe bacterial contamination, neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy and difficult anatomical conditions. There is no common standard for plastic reconstruction in such cases. We present a patient diagnosed with distal rectal cancer with infiltration of the anus and vagina, who underwent radical tumour resection of the rectum and anus as well as partial resection of the vagina. A severe necrotising infection occurred post-surgery, which resulted in an extensive defect of the pelvis and perineal region. This article provides a retrospective clinical evaluation and photographic documentation of the reconstruction of the vagina, pelvis and perineal region with a bilateral gracilis and gluteus muscle flap.

Safety of enzymatic debridement in extensive burns larger than 15% total body surface area.

OBJECTIVES: Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement has emerged as an alternative to surgical eschar removal. Indications include partial thickness, mixed pattern, and full-thickness burns. Enzymatic debridement has been approved by the European Medicines Agency for treating burn wounds affecting <15% total body surface area (TBSA). Data and evidence for the treatment of areas >15% TBSA in one session is scarce. The aim of this retrospective study was to retrospectively analyze off-label use of enzymatic debridement in a single burn center for large TBSA burns. METHODS: Between 01/2017 and 12/2018, 59 patients with partial- to full-thickness burns underwent enzymatic debridement in a single center study. Patients were categorized into two groups: the regular use group with a treated area less than 15% TBSA and the off-label group (OG) with larger TBSA debrided in one session. Treatment was evaluated for systemic inflammatory reaction, bleeding, hemodynamic instability and electrolyte shifts. RESULTS: In total, 49 patients were treated in the regular use group with a median application area of 6% (IQR 2.5-9.5) and 10 patients were treated in the off-label group with a median application area of 18% (IQR 15-19) TBSA. We found no significant differences regarding blood pressure, body temperature or hemodynamic stability during and after enzymatic debridement. No treatment-related serious adverse events were observed in either group. Catecholamine use was similar in both groups. No differences in leukocyte counts, CRP, PCT and lactate prior to application and during the following three days were observed. Sodium, potassium, chloride and phosphate levels did not differ. We found no evidence of an electrolyte shift. Survival was 49 of 49 patients (100%) in the RG and 7 of 10 patients (70%) in the OG (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Enzymatic debridement did not result in any expected or unexpected side effects in the patient groups investigated. These preliminary results indicate the potential safety of bromelain-based enzymatic debridementin the treatment of burns greater than 15% TBSA.

Early and late-recorded predictors of health-related quality of life of burn patients on long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Unintentional and intentional burn injuries vary across age groups, gender, income, and global region. In high-income countries, the trend over the last several years has been a reduction in burn incidence, burn severity, length of hospital stay, and mortality rate. However, there is a lack of data on predictors of the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of major burn survivors extending beyond a follow-up period of 10 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center cross-sectional study is considering 42 long-term severe burn survivors with deep partial thickness burns and an affected total body surface area (TBSA) of ≥20%. For study eligibility design a minimum follow-up of 10 years was obligatory. Entitled individuals were asked to fill in the generic Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. The physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores of the SF-36 were used as the primary outcome variables. Putative predictor variables were drawn from medical records. Burn-specific functionality and scar tissue quality were assessed using the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) questionnaire and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), respectively. Correlation between putative predictor variables and SF-36 norm scores were evaluated by Pearson- and Point-Biserial correlation as well as multivariate linear regression. The SF-36 norm scores were compared to the general German population. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 14 (±3) years with a minimum and maximum of 10 and 28 years, respectively. Mean age at the time of the incident was 37 (±17) years. The majority of individuals were male (74%). The mean burn size was 39 (±17) % (TBSA) with 76% of the individuals showing a full thickness burn. SF-36 norm scores were not statistically different from the general population. Statistically significant independent predictor variables of the physical summary score were: age at the time of the injury (-0.381), time since injury (-0.466), length of hospital stay (-0.356), limb amputation (-0.318), unemployment (-0.433), work (0.593), hand function (0.601), body image (0.518), affect (0.355), simple abilities (0.602), burns involving the hands (-0.339) and back (-0.343), POSAS patient- (-0.521) and observer scores (-0.483). In multivariate analysis, work (4.315), the POSAS Score (-2.082) and the age at the time of the incident (-0.242) were statistically significant predictors. Statistically significant independent predictor variables of the mental summary score were: duration of mechanical ventilation (-0.459), hand function (0.415), body image (0.502), sexual activity (0.625), social support (0.542), burns involving the back (-0.315) and affect (0.692). In multivariate analysis, affect (13.844) and the length of mechanical ventilation (-0.115) were statistically significant independent predictor variables. CONCLUSION: Ten years after the burn incident, the quality of life was on average comparable to the one in the general population. Multiple variables seem to influence the physical and mental long-term outcome. Herein presented data may support in adapting and designing follow-up strategies tailored to a patient's burn-specific circumstances.

[Burn wound treatment through enzymatic debridement: First experience in Switzerland]. / Enzymatisches Débridement zur Behandlung von Brandverletzungen: Erste Erfahrungen in der Schweiz.

INTRODUCTION: Thermal injuries are frequent and can be associated with relevant morbidity and mortality in severe cases. Excisional debridement followed by autografting is the standard of care for deep burns, but is associated with serious potential complications. Clinical results of a novel enzymatic debridement based on Bromelain raw material extracted from the pineapple plant (Nexobrid™) were published in 2014. At the Center for Burns at the University Hospital Zürich enzymatic debridement was introduced in 2016. Our experience and interpretation of the first 12 cases are reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients of at least 18 years of age with second and third degree burns were included in this study. Pregnant or breast feeding women were excluded. After so-called "pre-soaking" with saline solution, the Nexobrid™ gel was applied for 4 hours with occlusive sealing. After abrasion of the debris, "post-soaking" with Prontosan® followed and definite wound dressings were applied. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 51 (19-78) years, the length of hospital stay was 38 (1-92) days. The amount of burns was 25 (1-67) % of the total body surface area (TBSA). On average, 11 (1-18) % of the TBSA was debrided with Nexobrid™ after 7 (1-19) days. In 8 patients, the defects completely healed without scarring after Nexobrid™ treatment. In 4 patients additional surgical measures were necessary to complete the debridement as well as to cover the defect. The treatment with Nexobrid™ was efficient in difficult treatment areas such as back, hands and feet, where preservation of the demis prevented joint contracture through scarring. CONCLUSION: Treatment with Nexobrid™ extends the armamentarium to treat partial second-degree thermal injuries with good long-term results. It can be applied in analgosedation in an intensive care setting and reduces the need for surgical treatment.

The impact of non-thermal injuries in combined burn trauma: A retrospective analysis over the past 35 years.

INTRODUCTION: Combined burn trauma is rather uncommon and frequently difficult to manage. Historically combined burn trauma contributed to high mortality rates in severely injured patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, mechanisms and impact of non-thermal injuries in patients with severe burns. METHODS: The charts of 2536 patients admitted to the Burn Center of the University Hospital Zurich between 1977 and 2013 were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. Patients with additional injuries were identified and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Over 35 years from 1977 to 2013 a total of 100 burn patients (3.9%) with additional trauma were identified. Motor vehicle crash was the most common mechanism of injury (44%) from 1977 to 1995, compared to electrical injury (33%) from 1996 to 2013. Skeletal trauma including spinal and pelvic injury was the most common form (71%). Additional thoracic or abdominal trauma represented the highest risk factor for in-hospital mortality (adjusted RR 2.2, 95% CI 0.6-7.6). However, after 1995 the presence of any form of additional injury did not have a significant impact on in-hospital mortality (unadjusted RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.5-1.7, p = 0.914). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant trauma did not reveal a significant impact on in-hospital mortality in our burn center recently. Retrospectively, trauma mechanisms shifted from motor vehicle crashes to electrical injuries in our population. Safety measures for motor vehicles and adequate emergency room algorithms seem to have contributed to a reduction of severity of injury and mortality.