Feet Salvage Using Anterolateral Thigh Flaps after Severe Frostbite Injury: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Frostbite is a severe injury characterized by tissue damage due to exposure to freezing temperatures. It often necessitates prompt medical intervention to prevent further complications such as necrosis and amputation. This case report explores the successful use of bilateral anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flaps for feet salvage in a 19-year-old male refugee from Gambia who suffered severe frostbite injuries. CASE REPORT: The patient, found after six days in freezing conditions, exhibited necrosis on multiple toes. Initial management included stabilization, intravenous fluids, and rewarming. Subsequent necrectomy and amputation revealed exposed metatarsal bones, necessitating a meticulous reconstructive strategy. Bilateral ALT flaps were chosen to preserve walking function, with a staged reconstruction involving multiple operations. The patient's progress, from inpatient care to outpatient follow-ups, is detailed, emphasizing the challenges and decisions in managing severe frostbite injuries. RESULTS: The surgical intervention utilizing bilateral ALT flaps successfully salvaged the patient's feet. Throughout the postoperative period, wound care, rehabilitation, and outpatient monitoring contributed to positive outcomes. Despite challenges associated with the patient's ethnic background and nutritional status, the staged reconstruction facilitated effective healing and functional recovery. The use of ALT flaps provided a reliable solution with minimal donor site morbidity. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the efficacy of bilateral ALT flap reconstruction in salvaging feet following severe frostbite injury. The successful restoration of foot function underscores the importance of early intervention and tailored reconstructive approaches in frostbite management. Despite patient-specific challenges, including nutritional status and limited healthcare resources, the use of ALT flaps facilitated optimal recovery and functional outcomes. Importantly, this report is unique as it describes a novel case of feet salvage using bilateral ALT flaps in severe frostbite injury, with only one similar case previously reported in the literature. This emphasizes the rarity and significance of this specific surgical approach in frostbite management.

Higher Expressions of SHH and AR Are Associated with a Positive Receptor Status and Have Impact on Survival in a Cohort of Croatian Breast Cancer Patients.

Breast cancers (BC) are usually classified into four molecular subtypes according to the expression of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) receptors and proliferation marker Ki-67. Despite available anti-hormonal therapies and due to the inherent propensity of some subtypes to develop metastasis, there is a permanent need to discover new prognostic and predictive biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets for BC. In this study, we used immunohistochemical staining to determine the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and sonic hedgehog protein (SHH), the main ligand of the Hedgehog-GLI (HH-GLI) signaling pathway, in 185 archival primary BC tissue samples and correlated it with clinicopathological characteristics, molecular subtypes, receptors statuses, and survival in a cohort of Croatian BC patients. Results showed that higher SHH and AR expressions were associated with positive receptor status, but increased SHH expression had a negative impact on survival in receptor-negative BCs. On the contrary, higher AR expression was mostly protective. However, multivariate analysis showed that only higher AR expression could be considered as an independent prognostic biomarker for poorer overall survival in triple-negative breast cancer patients (TNBC) (HR 10.9, 95% CI 1.43-83.67; p = 0.021), what could be Croatian population-related. SHH could be a potential target for treating TNBCs and HER2-enriched BCs, in cases where HH-GLI signaling is canonical (SHH-dependent).

Is the use of specific time cut-off or "golden period" for primary closure of acute traumatic wounds evidence based? A systematic review.

The time cut-off for primary closure of acute wounds is not clearly defined in the literature or in the surgical textbooks. It is even unclear whether the wound age increases wound infection rate. The scarcity of scientific evidence may explain the diverse wound management practices. To give guidance for further research in the field, this systematic review assessed recent evidence on the impact of wound age on the infection rate and on the selection of wound closure method. Using predefined criteria, we systematically searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials/CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Current Contents, SciELO Citation Index, KCI-Korean Journal Database, Russian Science Citation Index, BIOSIS Citation Index, Data Citation Index, LILACS/Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, and African Index Medicus; as well as online trial registries: ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform/WHO ICTRP, and CenterWatch. Nine studies met the selection criteria and were included in the review. This review could not establish the time frame for primary closure of wounds. The time intervals mentioned in many surgical textbooks were supported by only a few low-quality studies. More important factors to be considered when delaying primary closure of acute wounds were the history of diabetes, wound location, wound length, and the presence of a foreign body.

Single-stage quadriceps tendon reconstruction with gastrocnemius fascia and knee soft tissue defect reconstruction with medial gastrocnemius flap-A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Quadriceps tendon rupture, although uncommon, is associated with knee joint instability and requires surgical repair. A variety of methods including allografts, synthetic grafts and autologous tendons are used for tendon reconstruction. This work is reported in line with the SCARE criteria (Agha et al., 2018) for case report publication. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A new method of simultaneous quadriceps tendon reconstruction and soft tissue knee reconstruction in a 38-year-old male patient following trauma to his knee and subsequent multiple surgeries and wound infections. In a single-stage procedure, gastrocnemius muscle fascia was used for quadriceps tendon reconstruction and medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle flap with split-thickness skin graft was used to cover the soft tissue defect on the anterior aspect of the knee following previous post-operative soft tissue infections and subsequent skin necrosis. DISCUSSION: The only way to maintain the vitality of the patella was to reconstruct the defect with well-vascularized tissue so we decided to use the medial gastrocnemius muscle flap. To obtain good quality tissue for the quadriceps tendon reconstruction, we decided to use the gastrocnemius muscle fascia to minimise the morbidity of the donor region and to reduce the duration of surgery. CONCLUSION: Postoperatively, the patient had an excellent cosmetic outcome with full active extension and limited flexion of the knee joint caused by the preoperative condition. To our knowledge, quadriceps tendon reconstruction using the gastrocnemius muscle fascia has never been reported in English literature and is as valuable as already known reconstruction methods using other tendons or fascia.

The "dermal cage": Inferiorly based dermal flap technique for breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

"Direct to implant," "one-stage," or "immediate" breast reconstruction procedures have become extremely popular in the last decade. The additional task of covering the lower pole of the prosthetic implant for stability can be achieved by one of two principal methods: either the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) or alternatively by the use of autologous dermis (inferiorly based dermal flap). In 2013, we published a modification of the inferior pedicle technique for reduction mammaplasty with the principal goal of making a strong, durable, and internalized ``dermal cage'' fixed to the chest wall to support the remaining breast tissue and to prevent the long-term descent of the breast tissue through the effects of gravity. At that time, we started to use the same technique in breast reconstruction for selected cases who required skin or nipple-sparing mastectomy with reduction of the skin envelope, not just to cover the lateroinferior pole of breast implants as an alternative to ADM but primarily for functional support and suspension with fixation of the implant on the chest wall, shaping the reconstructed breast with the aim of preventing lateral displacement. In this article, we present the method and rationale of our "dermal cage" technique explaining differences between previously published modifications by other authors of the inferior dermal pedicle.

Skin and nipple-areola complex sparing mastectomy in breast cancer patients: 15-year experience.

Skin and nipple-areola complex sparing mastectomy (SNSM) and primary reconstruction have been popular for breast cancer treatment in the last decade. An advantage of the SNSM technique is the removal of all breast tissue as a radical surgical procedure while preserving native breast integrity, nipple-areola complex (NAC), and submammary fold. This retrospective 15-year clinical study analyzes medical records from our breast surgery database collected at our department between 1997 and 2012. A total number of 3757 patients were treated for breast cancer; 411 (10.9%) patients had a skin-sparing mastectomy with the median (range) length follow-up of 63 months. This is the longest follow-up for SNSM in breast cancer patients; 3.7% of patients who underwent SNSM developed disease local recurrence, whereas occult NAC involvement with cancer occurred in 7.7% and local recurrence in the NAC in 1.2%. Partial necrosis of the NAC developed in 9.4% and total necrosis in 0.7% of operated breasts. All disease recurrences occurred in the first 10 years of the follow-up period. Local recurrence developed as first recurrence event has longer median cancer-specific survival time of 70 months than those with only distant metastases with 50 months and locoregional plus distant metastases with 35.5 months. The "Omega" pattern incision combines an oncological radical procedure with a lower incidence of skin flap necrosis. Patients reconstructed with autologous tissue were the group most satisfied. SNSM is an oncological safe procedure for breast cancer treatment with low recurrence in properly selected patients.

Biomechanical trial of modified flexor tendon sutures: an in vitro study.

Proven benefits of early active mobilisation for intra-synovial flexor tendon repairs have inducted new criteria for a 'perfect suture'. This study has examined different variations of modified Kessler's suture, which could fulfil the new criteria. A total of 93 swine extensor tendons were transected, repaired and tested using a dynamometer with constant rate of extension. The first part of study tested clinically the most used modified Kessler suture, a variation of double modified Kessler suture and intact tendons as a control group. Further variations in the second part of study were due to type of suture, location and number of the knots and type of peripheral suture. According to the results, the tested version of double modified Kessler suture with crossed peripheral suture was the strongest one among all tested variations. The ultimate force for the authors preferred modification of the double modified Kessler (DMK) is significantly higher than modified Kessler suture. The version of DMK with crossed peripheral suture is the strongest one among all tested variations. The lowest strength manifests variation with two knots between tendon ends. The variations with interlocked and outsided knot or monofilament tread are not statistically significant regarding ultimate force. The frequency of suture failure events (suture pull out or tendon and/or suture rupture) is equal respecting braided or monofilament suture. The preferred modification of the double modified Kessler (DMK) suture with crossed peripheral suture is the strongest one among all tested variations and could achieve, concerning range of force, early active mobilisation. Further variations due to the type of thread and location, type and number of the knots did not show statistical significance.

Extremely large breast abscess in a breastfeeding mother.

Puerperal mastitis often occurs in younger primiparous women. Most cases occur between 3 and 8 weeks postpartum. If mastitis results in the formation of a breast abscess, surgical drainage or needle aspiration is most commonly performed. We report a case of an extremely large breast abscess in a primiparous 20-year-old woman, which presented 6 weeks postpartum. Surgical incision and evacuation of 2 liters of exudate were performed, and intravenous antibiotics therapy was administered. On the sixth day after incision, we secondarily closed the wound. Examination after 3 months showed symmetrical breasts with a small scar in the incision area of the right breast. A high degree of suspicion and adequate diagnostic procedures are essential to avoid delay in the treatment of mastitis and breast abscess and thereby prevent unnecessary surgical treatment.

Tumor and breast volume ratio as a predictive factor for axillary lymph node metastases in T1c ductal invasive breast cancer: prospective observational clinico-pathological study.

OBJECTIVE: The status of the axilla is the single most important prognostic indicator of overall survival in patients with breast cancer. Sentinel-node biopsy has false-negative rates of 5-10%. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of tumor and breast volume ratio as a predictive factor for axillary lymph node metastases in patients with T1c ductal invasive breast cancer. METHODS: This study included 136 consecutive patients with T1c ductal invasive breast cancer. Three tumor diameters were measured. Tumor volume was calculated by the formula for ellipse. Breast volume was measured preoperatively. Tumor and breast volume ratio was calculated and shown per thousand. RESULTS: Tumor and breast volume ratio is a new independent predictive factor for axillary lymph node metastase in T1c ductal invasive breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: This predictive factor could help to define a subgroup of patients who will be at a higher risk for axillary lymph node metastase and would benefit from additional close follow up or axillary lymph node dissection.

[Necrotizing fasciitis of the upper leg--case report and review of the literature]. / Nekrotizirajuci fascitis natkoljenice--prikaz bolesnika i pregled literature.

Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon but serious infection of skin, subcutaneous fat and fascia, characterised by rapidly spreading inflammation and associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. A 42-year-old man, with necrotizing fasciitis of the right upper leg, was hospitalized and treated by surgical debridement, along with intravenous administration of antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, correction of acidosis and electrolyte abnormalities. Four debridements were performed over four days. The patient developed septic shock with early stage of multiple organ failure, requiring one week in intensive care unit (ICU). Split-thickness skin grafts were placed on the fourth day after admission to the hospital. The patient was released to home care on the 21st day after admission, fully recovered. Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening infectious entity that requires rapid diagnosis, urgent extensive surgical debridement and tissue coverage as soon as possible to prevent secondary infections. ICU measures including intravenous antibiotics are often necessary, along with surgical treatment.

[Laparoscopic surgery in acute abdominal trauma]. / Laparoskopska kirurgija kod akutne ozljede trbuha.

In the past few years, laparoscopy has been increasingly used in patients with acute abdominal trauma. This metod in experienced hands enables direct eye visualisation of abdominal cavity, ensures accurate and early diagnosis and leads to prompt decision on the therapy. Reviewing the literature, laparoscopy in acute abdominal trauma is a safe and accurate procedure to yield diagnosis, enable laparoscopic interventions and help avoid unnecessary laparotomy. In acute abdominal trauma, laparoscopy is mostly used as a diagnostic method, not so often as a therapeutic method, but an expanding range of therapeutic interventions is available. We show our early results with diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy from January 1st 2003 to March 31st 2004, stressing therapeutic laparoscopy. We performed 79 laparoscopic explorations in patients with diagnosis of acute abdomen. 7 of them were explored because of acute abdominal trauma. In 3 patients there was no need for intervention after laparoscopic exploration, in 1 patient we electrocoagulates smaller bleeding from the spleen and in other 3 patients we made conversion to open surgery procedure, because of III-IV grade liver or spleen injury. In our group we didn't have injuries of any other internal abdominal organs. Laparoscopic treatment of acute abdominal trauma with spleen or liver injury is applicable in I-III grade liver injury and I-II grade spleen injury, while in greater injuries it is necessary to make conversion to laparotomy.

Surgical treatment of nevoid hyperkeratosis of the areola by removal of the areola and reconstruction with a skin graft.

Hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola is a rare, sporadic, benign condition characterized by verrucosus thickening and brownish discoloration of the nipple and areola. Approximately 50 cases of hyperkeratosis of the nipple and areola have been reported in the literature. Dermatologists treated most of them conservatively. We have described the case of healthy 19-year-old girl with bilateral nevoid hyperkeratosis of the areola and our treatment by surgical removal of the areola and reconstruction with a skin graft. As far as we know, this is the first report of this kind of treatment. The final result is esthetically excellent and without recurrence during 12 months' follow-up.