[Surgical site infection after lower limb arterial reconstruction: can we improve prevention?] / Infections postchirurgie artérielle des membres inférieurs : peut-on mieux faire?

Infections associated with arterial reconstructions of the lower limbs are associated with high morbidity. This article reviews the risk factors for infection associated with this surgery and the preventive measures. These include smoking cessation and glycemic control preoperatively; avoiding unnecessary exposure to antibiotics or corticosteroids; optimal peripheral wound care; rigorous antisepsis and antibiotic prophylaxis in the operating theatre ; and finally, meticulous post-operative wound monitoring. The benefit of Staphylococcus aureus decolonization in vascular surgery is less clearly established than in cardiac and thoracic surgery, but it is still recommended in cases of implant placement or where there is a high risk of S. aureus infection, depending on the planned approach and type of surgery.

Les infections associées aux reconstructions artérielles des membres inférieurs sont grevées d'une morbidité élevée. Cet article revoit les facteurs de risque d'infection associés à cette chirurgie et les mesures de prévention. Ces dernières incluent l'arrêt du tabac et le contrôle glycémique en préopératoire ; l'absence d'exposition inutile aux antibiotiques ou aux corticostéroïdes ; les soins de plaies périphériques optimaux ; une antisepsie et une antibioprophylaxie au bloc opératoire rigoureuses et, finalement, un suivi de plaie postopératoire minutieux. Le bénéfice de la décolonisation à Staphylococcus aureus dans le cadre de la chirurgie vasculaire est moins clairement établi qu'en chirurgies cardiaque et thoracique, mais celle-ci reste recommandée en cas de mise en place d'implant ou de risque élevé d'infection à S. aureus, selon la voie d'abord et le type de chirurgie prévue.

Catheter-directed thrombectomy with the JETi8 in the treatment of acute superior vena cava syndrome.

Superior vena cava syndrome can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in acute settings. We report a case of an acute Port-a-Cath-associated thrombosis of the superior vena cava. Percutaneous catheter-directed thrombectomy was performed using the JETi8 thrombectomy device with additional angioplasty and stenting, allowing rapid flow restoration and rapid clinical recovery. Postoperative anticoagulation was initiated and pursued lifelong. This report is unique in illustrating how JETi8 thrombectomy seems to be a safe and effective therapy, allowing rapid flow restoration, rapid clinical improvement, and persistent patency at 6 months.

Angiosarcoma after Popliteal Aneurysm Exclusion Surgery. A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Expansion after popliteal artery aneurysm exclusion with bypass is a common phenomenon. Popliteal angiosarcoma is seldom reported in literature and in most cases after popliteal artery aneurysm surgery. This paper aims to present the case of a popliteal angiosarcoma, initially diagnosed as late aneurysmal growth after exclusion surgery, to conduct a systematic review of popliteal angiosarcoma and assess any association between angiosarcoma and previous popliteal aneurysm surgery. METHODS: We performed a secondary popliteal aneurysmorraphy through posterior approach for symptomatic aneurysm expansion in a 79-year-old woman, 9 years after medial femoropopliteal venous bypass and aneurysm exclusion. The postoperative course was complicated by recurrent hematomas and wound spillages requiring multiple revisions. Pathological analysis identified an angiosarcoma. Staging revealed bone invasion and pulmonary metastasis. Despite transfemoral amputation and adjuvant chemotherapy the patient died 8 months later. We performed a systematic review through MEDLINE on 'primary' and 'secondary' (with previous vascular surgery) angiosarcoma in popliteal artery aneurysm. Research was done using the terms '(hem) angiosarcoma', 'aneurysm', 'popliteal aneurysm or artery', 'femoral aneurysm or artery'. Other soft tissue sarcoma or nonpopliteal locations were excluded. RESULTS: Including this case, only 13 angiosarcomas in popliteal aneurysms are currently described. Two were reported without previous surgery considered as primary angiosarcoma and 11 after popliteal artery aneurysm surgery (secondary angiosarcoma). Patient age ranges from 8 months to 83 years with a male predominance (10/3). Nine of the 11 patients with secondary angiosarcoma were initially diagnosed as popliteal aneurysm expansion after previous bypass surgery, the 2 other secondary cases presented respectively with pain and inflammatory syndrome without expansion. All prior surgical exclusion was carried out by a medial approach. Interval with the index operation ranges from 3 months to 15 years. Death was reported in 8 of the 13 cases within the first year of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although seldom reported, popliteal angiosarcomas are mainly described after popliteal artery aneurysm exclusion surgery, raising suspicion on a potential association, yet causality cannot be demonstrated. Angiosarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of popliteal aneurysm growth or unexpected outcome after exclusion bypass surgery. Systematic imaging and pathological studies should be undertaken to allow early diagnosis and treatment. Routine use of a posterior approach, with aneurysm resection, when feasible as initial popliteal artery aneurysm treatment, might reduce the risk of late sarcomatous transformation.

Assessing Diabetic Foot Infections With the ThermoScale: A Comparative Thermometry Device Designed as a Patient Self-Screening Tool.

Diabetic foot infection (DFI) is an important risk factor for amputation, and late diagnosis or referral is often incriminated for poor outcome. To enable an earlier diagnosis of DFI, comparative foot thermometry has been suggested as a self-screening method for patients in a home setting. We validated the efficacy of the ThermoScale, a weighing scale outfitted with temperature sensors that allows accurate temperature measurement in both feet. Temperature differentials in DFI patients (n = 52) were compared with a control group of similar diabetic patients (n = 45) without any foot wounds. Based on these findings, we drafted a receiver operating characteristic curve to determine an area-under-the-curve of 0.8455. This value suggests that the ThermoScale, as a diagnostic test, is reasonably accurate. A cutoff value of 2.15 °C temperature difference corresponded with a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 61.5%. As wearables, portable health electronics, and telemedicine become increasingly popular, we think that comparative temperature measurement technology is valuable in improving early diagnosis of DFIs.

A ureteral single-J stent in the right atrium: a case report.

BACKGROUND: J stents are commonly used to support the continuity of the urinary tract. Although intravascular, and more specific intracardiac, migrations have been described, they remain infrequent and unrecognized. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 57-year-old Caucasian woman with an intracardial migration of a single-J stent after pelvic exenteration. The intracardiac presence of single-J stent was probably due to a perioperative misplacement of the stent in the left ovarian vein. Retrieval was done under fluoroscopic control without any adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Intravascular migration of urological stents is uncommon but can cause serious morbidities and even mortality. Perioperative precautions must be taken to avoid this problem. In case of migration, early diagnosis and management are primordial and involve a multidisciplinary approach.