Wound, Ischemia, Foot Infection (Wifi) Classification System And Its Predictive Ability Concerning Amputation-Free Survival, Mortality And Major Limb Amputation In A Portuguese Population: A Single Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Commonly used chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) classifications lack granularity and detail to precisely stratify patients according to risk of limb loss, expected revascularization benefit and mortality. The aim of this study is to evaluate in a Portuguese population the prognostic value of an updated CLTI classification based on Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) proposed by the Society for Vascular Surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-center retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data of consecutive patients with CLTI submitted to lower limb revascularization from January to December of 2017. All consecutive patients with chronic peripheral artery disease with ischemic rest pain or tissue loss were included. The exclusion criteria were patients with intermittent claudication, vascular trauma, acute ischemia, non-atherosclerotic arterial disease and isolated iliac intervention. The primary end-point was major limb amputation, mortality and amputation-free survival (AFS) at 30 days, 1 year and 2 year follow-up. Secondary end-points were minor amputation, wound healing time (WHT) and rate (WHR). RESULTS: A total of 111 patients with CLTI were submitted to infra-inguinal revascularization: 91 endovascular and 20 open surgery. After categorizing them according to the WIfI: 20 had stage 1 (18.52%), 29 stage 2 (26.85%), 38 stage 3 (35.19%) and 21 stage 4 (19.44%). Overall mortality rate was 1.8%, 17% and 22.3% at 30 days, 1 year and 2 years follow-up. Major amputation rate was 0.9%, 2.7% and 2.7% at 30 days, 1 year and 2 years follow-up. AFS rate was 97.3%, 82.1%, and 76.8% at 30 days, 1 year, 2 years follow-up. In multi-variable analysis, higher WIfI score was the only predictive factor for mortality and AFS. WIfI 3 and 4 were also associated with increased risk of non-healing ulcer. CONCLUSION: This study proved the prognostic value of the WIfI classification in a Portuguese population by showing an association between higher scores and increased mortality, lower AFS and non-healing ulcer.

Paratesticular Cellular Angiofibroma (CAF): A Rare Case Report.

Cellular angiofibromas (CAFs) are infrequent and benign soft-tissue tumors that primarily affect the genitourinary region in both genders. The authors report the case of a 71-year-old male patient who exhibited progressively increasing swelling in both testicles, with greater prominence noted on the left side. Initial findings from physical examination and scrotal ultrasound indicated the possibility of bilateral hydrocele, so the patient was recommended surgical intervention of the left more prominent side. Intraoperatively, a left paratesticular mass was identified and subsequently excised. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of cellular angiofibroma. Surgeons should be cognizant of this tumor type to optimize treatment strategies, as local excision demonstrates a potential to preserve the testicle and yield favorable outcomes. Although occurrences of local recurrence are extremely rare, long-term follow-up is imperative.

Hidradenocarcinoma of the Female Breast: A Surgical Approach to a Rare Skin Tumor.

Clear-cell hidradenocarcinomas are extremely uncommon sweat gland tumors with a predilection for the head and neck. In the limited number of articles reporting breast involvement, the primary focus concerns this entity's histological and immunohistochemical characteristics. Since hidradenocarcinomas of the breast have the potential to resemble a primary breast carcinoma closely, diagnosis may be challenging. Therefore, the authors report the first case of hidradenocarcinoma of the breast, which features its macroscopic morphology. In addition, to increase physicians' awareness of this rare neoplasm, the article also aims to detail its surgical approach.

Blunt Trauma and Right Diaphragmatic Rupture: Unveiling the Impact.

Traumatic diaphragmatic ruptures are rare, yet blunt injuries tend to be more easily overlooked compared to penetrating trauma. The minimal evidence of external injuries makes a high index of suspicion key for diagnosis. We report the case of a right-sided thoracoabdominal blunt trauma that resulted in a diaphragmatic rupture and fractured rib. Although often approached through a midline laparotomy, a definitive right thoracotomy repair was exceptionally performed since the adjacent peritoneum remained uninjured.

Primary Petit Hernia: From Diagnosis to Open Surgical Approach.

Lumbar hernias are quite rare, even more so when primary or of spontaneous nature. These defects in the lumbar region demand a comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy of the lateral abdominal wall and paraspinal muscles. Given the proximity of bone structures, they can pose a surgical challenge when trying to achieve an ideal dissection and appropriate mesh overlap. The authors report the case of a primary Petit's hernia that underwent an open anterior surgical approach with the use of a preperitoneal mesh. In addition to the described surgical technique, the article also aims to detail the diagnosis and anatomic classification of this rare pathology.

Anterior Penetrating Neck Injury: A Path to the Cervical Spine.

While rare in incidence, penetrating neck injuries are often life-threatening. When a patient's physiological status is appropriate, the first step in treatment should be a detailed preoperative imaging assessment. Formulating a treatment plan that includes computed tomography (CT) imaging and discussing the surgical approach with a multidisciplinary team before operating allows for a successful selective surgical approach. The authors report the case of a Zone II penetrating injury with a right laterocervical entry wound in which an impaled blade with an inferomedial oblique path pierced deeply into the cervical spine. The blade missed multiple vital structures in the neck, such as the common carotid artery, jugular vein, trachea, and esophagus. The patient underwent a formal neck exploration, and controlled extraction of the blade under direct vision was achieved. Therefore, the author's recommendation for implementing any management algorithm for penetrating neck injuries should rely primarily on a multidisciplinary selective approach.

The Management and Challenges of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Situs Inversus Abdominalis.

Left-sided gallbladders are rare anatomical variations and a result of an abnormal embryological process. The most frequent cause for a sinistroposition gallbladder is the presence of situs inversus. We present a case of a 51-year-old male referred to the General Surgery consult due to cholelithiasis with a history of occasional post-prandial abdominal pain in the left hypochondrium and nausea associated with the ingestion of lipid-rich meals. The ultrasound revealed a gallbladder filled with calculous but without inflammatory signs or bile duct dilation, in the sinistroposition. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed and excluded further anatomic variations. The patient underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to symptomatic cholelithiasis without any complications and was discharged the following day. When faced with a patient with gallbladder/biliary duct disorders associated with situs inversus, one must have a high clinical index of suspicion to properly diagnose and the mental agility to adapt and further operate in a mirrored-positioned abdomen. In these situations the patient should always undergo a prior MRI to determine the correct anatomy of the biliary system and the surgeon should perform an intraoperative cholangiography if any other variations are suspected. The presence of situs inversus thus imposes a surgical and diagnostic challenge. Although rare the surgeon must be aware of this possibility.