The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Fournier's Gangrene: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

PURPOSE: Management of Fournier's Gangrene (FG) includes broad-spectrum antibiotics with adequate surgical debridement, which should be performed within the first 24 hours of onset. However, this treatment may cause significant loss of tissue and may delay healing with the presence of ischemia. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been proposed as adjunctive therapy to assist the healing process. However, its benefit is still debatable. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of HBOT as an adjunct therapy for FG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study complied with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses protocol to obtain studies investigating the effect of HBOT on patients with FG. The search is systematically carried out on different databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus based on population, intervention, control, and outcomes criteria. A total of 10 articles were retrieved for qualitative and quantitative analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in mortality as patients with FG who received HBOT had a lower number of deaths compared to patients who received conventional therapy (Odds Ratio 0.29; 95% CI 0.12 - 0.69; p = 0.005). However, the mean length of stay with Mean Difference (MD) of -0.18 (95% CI: -7.68 - 7.33; p=0.96) and the number of debridement procedures (MD 1.33; 95% CI: -0.58 - 3.23; p=0.17) were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: HBOT can be used as an adjunct therapy to prevent an increased risk of mortality in patients with FG.

Mycobacterium mageritense infection following mastectomy and breast reconstruction requiring triple antibiotic therapy and surgical debridement.

A 40-year-old woman was referred to infectious disease specialists for a Mycobacterium mageritense skin infection following mastectomy and bilateral reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. Her case demonstrates the difficulty in treating non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infections, especially the rarely seen species. She failed to respond to dual antibiotic therapy containing imipenem-cilastin despite reported sensitivity. Additionally, her course was complicated by intolerance to various regimens, including gastrointestinal distress, a drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and tendinopathy. With few published data, no treatment guidelines, and limited medications from which to choose for M. mageritense, her treatment posed a challenge. She ultimately required aggressive surgical intervention and a triple therapy antibiotic regimen. The duration of our patient's treatment and the extent of her complications suggest a potential need for early surgical intervention in postsurgical wounds infected with M. mageritense that do not respond to conventional treatment.

[Chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia; use of bioactive glass as a treatment alternative]. / Osteomielitis crónica de tibia; uso de vidrio biactivo como complemento de tratamiento.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic osteomyelitis is a disease usually of infectious origin. The main cause is post-traumatic, it affects the bone tissue and surrounding tissue, the most frequent causative agent is Staphylococcus aureus. The most affected bone is the tibia. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 42-year-old male with a diagnosis of chronic tibia osteomyelitis, with sequelae of previous surgical interventions, multiple antibiotic treatments, and type IV B classification by Cierny-Mader. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two-stage surgical management was chosen. Firstly, extensive bone and soft tissue debridement, placement of cement beads medicated with amikacin in the medullary cavity and osteoclast system for irrigation with vancomycin. In the second stage, free fibular bone grafting, fixation and stabilization with screws, bioactive glass placement in areas of interface between stabilized fibula and posterior tibial cortex. RESULTS: Before a multitratada chronic osteomyelitis it is necessary to individualize and evaluate treatment alternatives, in this case the surgical management in two time, the use of medication beads, bone graft and the use of bioactive glass, achieved a complete eradication of the infection and favorable clinical evolution with optimal functional recovery of affected limb.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La osteomielitis crónica es una enfermedad generalmente de origen infeccioso, la principal causa es postraumática, afecta el tejido óseo y el tejido circundante, el germen causal más frecuente es Staphylococcus aureus. El hueso más afectado es la tibia. DESCRIPCIÓN DEL CASO: Masculino de 42 años con diagnóstico de osteomielitis crónica de tibia, con secuelas de intervenciones quirúrgicas previas, múltiples tratamientos antibióticos y clasificación tipo IV B de Cierny-Mader. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se optó por un manejo quirúrgico en dos tiempos. En el primer tiempo, desbridamiento óseo extenso y de partes blandas, colocación de perlas de cemento medicado con amikacina en cavidad medular y sistema de osteoclisis para irrigación con vancomicina. En el segundo tiempo, colocación de injerto óseo peroné libre, fijación y estabilización con tornillos, colocación de vidrio bioactivo en zonas de interface entre peroné estabilizado y cortical posterior de tibia. RESULTADOS: Ante una osteomielitis crónica multitratada se tiene que individualizar y valorar alternativas de tratamiento; en este caso el manejo quirúrgico en dos tiempos, el uso de perlas de cemento, injerto óseo y el uso de vidrio bioactivo logró una erradicación de la infección y evolución clínica favorable con recuperación funcional de la extremidad afectada.

Do Culture Negative Periprosthetic Joint Infections Remain Culture Negative?

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis and treatment of culture negative total knee arthroplasty (TKA) periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is challenging. There is debate over whether culture negative PJI confers increased risk of failure and which organisms are responsible. It is also unclear as to what factors predict conversion from culture negative to culture positivity. To address these issues, we performed an observational study to detect factors associated with transition from culture negative to culture positive TKA PJI in those patients that failed irrigation and debridement (I&D), determine the incidence of this transition, and identify those organisms that were associated with treatment failure. METHODS: A multicenter observational cohort study was performed on patients with TKA PJI as defined by Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria without cultured organisms and treated with I&D. Primary outcome was failure defined as any subsequent surgical procedure. Secondary outcome included cultured organism within 2 years of initial I&D. RESULTS: Two hundred sixteen TKA I&D procedures were performed for PJI, and 36 met inclusion criteria. The observed treatment failure rate for culture negative PJI treated with I&D was 41.67%. Of those culture negative I&Ds that failed, 53.33% became culture positive after failure. Of those that converted to culture positive, 62.5% were Staphylococcus species. The odds ratio associated with becoming culture positive following culture negative treatment failure in the setting of antibiotic administration prior to the initial I&D procedure was 0.69 (95% confidence interval 0.14-3.47, P = .65). CONCLUSION: Many cases of culture negative TKA PJI treated with I&D eventually fail and become culture positive. Staphylococci are common organisms identified after culture negative PJI.

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Periprosthetic Joint Infection: Fate of Spacer Exchanges.

BACKGROUND: Patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) undergoing 2-stage exchange arthroplasty may undergo an interim spacer exchange for a variety of reasons including mechanical failure of spacer or persistence of infection. The objective of this study is to understand the risk factors and outcomes of patients who undergo spacer exchange during the course of a planned 2-stage exchange arthroplasty. METHODS: Our institutional database was used to identify 533 patients who underwent a 2-stage exchange arthroplasty for PJI, including 90 patients with a spacer exchange, from 2000 to 2017. A retrospective review was performed to extract relevant clinical information. Treatment outcomes included (1) progression to reimplantation and (2) treatment success as defined by a Delphi-based criterion. Both univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were performed to investigate whether spacer exchange was associated with failure. Additionally, a propensity score analysis was performed based on a 1:2 match. RESULTS: A spacer exchange was required in 16.9%. Patients who underwent spacer exchanges had a higher body mass index (P < .001), rheumatoid arthritis (P = .018), and were more likely to have PJI caused by resistant (0.048) and polymicrobial organisms (P = .007). Patients undergoing a spacer exchange demonstrated lower survivorship and an increased risk of failure in the multivariate and propensity score matched analysis compared to patients who did not require a spacer exchange. DISCUSSION: Despite an additional load of local antibiotics and repeat debridement, patients who underwent a spacer exchange demonstrated poor outcomes, including failure to undergo reimplantation and twice the failure rate. The findings of this study may need to be borne in mind when managing patients who require spacer exchange.

Síndrome de Fournier: Reconstrução de bolsa testicular com retalho fasciocutâneo de região interna de coxa / Fournier gangrene: Reconstruction of the scrotal sac with a fasciocutaneous flap from the internal thigh region

INTRODUÇÃO: A síndrome de Fournier é uma infecção multibacteriana de rápida progressão em região perineal. Seu tratamento inclui desbridamento, antibioticoterapia de amplo espectro e terapia com oxigênio em câmara hiperbárica. O desbridamento agressivo tipicamente resulta em perda da cobertura cutânea de toda bolsa escrotal, expondo ambos os testículos. No tratamento, é necessária a utilização de retalhos bem vascularizados para o reestabelecimento das funções. MÉTODO: Apresentamos a aplicação de um retalho fasciocutâneo, aproveitando a rica rede arterial da região interna da coxa para a reconstrução perineal, proposto por Ferreira et al., o qual permite o tratamento de amplos defeitos. CONCLUSÃO: O retalho descrito para reconstrução perineal é bastante versátil. Suas vantagens incluem a possibilidade de ser utilizado em diversas situações clínicas, baixo acometimento de gangrena na região doadora, reconstrução em único estágio e a espessura do retalho adequada para reconstrução desta região.

INTRODUCTION: Fournier gangrene is a rapidly progressing multi-bacterial infection in the perineal region. The treatment of this condition includes debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and oxygen therapy in a hyperbaric chamber. Aggressive debridement typically results in the loss of skin coverage of the entire scrotal sac, and the exposure of both testes. During treatment, it is essential to use well-vascularized flaps to ensure the recovery of function. METHOD: We describe the application of a fasciocutaneous flap-which takes advantage of the rich arterial network of the internal region of the thigh-in the perineal reconstruction method proposed by Ferreira et al. that allows for the treatment of large defects. CONCLUSION: The flap is quite versatile. Its advantages include its utility in various clinical situations, low risk of gangrene in the donor area, single-stage reconstruction, and adequate flap thickness for reconstruction.

Osteomielitis vertebral lumbar / Ostéomyélite vertébrale lombaire / Lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis

Se mostró la terapéutica médica y quirúrgica ante un caso con osteomielitis vertebral secundaria a discectomía, mediante el estudio observacional descriptivo en un paciente de 50 años de edad, afecto de hernia discal del 5to. espacio lumbar, a quien se le había practicado discectomía abierta; que ingresó a los 15 días con un cuadro doloroso lumbar e hipertermia de 39 °C.Se hizo una revisión actualizada del tema de osteomielitis vertebral y se expuso la terapéutica quirúrgica y antimicrobiana realizada al paciente. Luego de desbridamientos quirúrgicos seriados demandantes y secuenciales, así como de irrigación continua, se observó la resolución del cuadro infeccioso y del cuadro radicular que presentaba el paciente. En consulta externa se reflejó la negatividad de las investigaciones analíticas de infección a los 4 meses de evolución. Se concluyó que es importante ante los signos clínicos de infección (dolor, fiebre), realizar una tomografía axial computarizada en un paciente con discectomía abierta, para ver la repercusión ósea y operar lo antes posible. La modalidad de desbridamiento secuencial y demandante con una irrigación continua de solución salina fisiológica 0,9 por ciento con antibiótico sensible al microorganismo, da resultados satisfactorios(AU)

Surgical and medical therapy was shown in a case of vertebral osteomyelitis secondary to disectomy by means of a descriptive observational study conducted in a 50 years old patient affected by herniation of the fifth lumbar disk that had undergone open disectomy; who was admitted 15 days after this with a painful lumbar manifestation and hyperthermia of 39 °C. An updated review of the topic of vertebral osteomyelitis was made and the surgical and antimicrobial therapy followed in the patient was shown. After demanding sequential serial surgical debridements with continuous irrigation, the resolution of the infectious and radicular manifestation that the patient presented was observed. The negative impacts of the analytical investigations of infection were presented in the outpatient consultation after four months of evolution. It was concluded that, in the presence of clinical signs of infection such as pain and fever, it is important to indicate a CT-scan to a patient who had undergone open disectomy to observe the osseous percussion and operate on as soon as possible. The modality of demanding sequential serial surgical debridement with continuous irrigation with 0.9 percent physiological saline solution and a sensitive antibiotic to the microorganism gives satisfactory results(AU)

Une étude observationnelle descriptive d'un patient âgé de 50 ans, atteint de hernie discale du 5e espace lombaire et d'ostéomyélite vertébrale, après discectomie ouverte, a permis de montrer la thérapeutique médicale et chirurgicale à suivre dans ces cas. Ce patient avait été hospitalisé 15 jours auparavant avec un tableau douloureux lombaire et une hyperthermie de 39 °C. Après avoir fait une révision actualisée du sujet de l'ostéomyélite vertébrale, une thérapeutique chirurgicale et antimicrobienne a été proposée. Des débridements chirurgicaux sériés et séquentiels, ainsi qu'irrigation continue, ont assuré la résolution de l'infection et du syndrome radiculaire affectant le patient. En consultation externe, les examens ont été négatifs d'infection en 4 mois. On a conclu qu'il est important d'effectuer une tomographie axiale informatisée chez un patient traité par discectomie ouverte avec des signes cliniques d'infection tels que douleur et fièvre, afin de déceler des séquelles osseuses et d'opérer le plus rapide que possible. La technique de débridement séquentiel, avec irrigation continue par solution saline physiologique à 0,9 pourcent et antibiothérapie sensible au micro-organisme, a des résultats satisfaisants(AU)

Complications associated with distraction osteogenesis for infected nonunion of the femoral shaft in the presence of a bone defect: a retrospective series.

We undertook a retrospective study of 50 consecutive patients (41 male, 9 female) with an infected nonunion and bone defect of the femoral shaft who had been treated by radical debridement and distraction osteogenesis. Their mean age was 29.9 years (9 to 58) and they had a mean of 3.8 (2 to 19) previous operations. They were followed for a mean of 5.9 years (2.0 to 19.0). The mean duration of the distraction osteogenesis was 24.5 months (2 to 39). Pin-track infection was observed in all patients. The range of knee movement was reduced and there was a mean residual leg-length discrepancy of 1.9 cm (0 to 8) after treatment. One patient required hip disarticulation to manage intractable sepsis. In all, 13 patients had persistent pain. Bony union was achieved in 49 patients at a mean of 20.7 months (12 to 35). Although distraction osteogenesis is commonly used for the treatment of infected femoral nonunion with bone defects, it is associated with a high rate of complications.

Is previous knee arthroscopy related to worse results in primary total knee arthroplasty?

According to literature, knee arthroscopy is a minimal invasive surgery performed for minor surgical trauma, reduced morbidity and shortens the hospitalization period. Therefore, this type of surgery before total knee arthroplasty (TKA) could be considered a minor procedure with minimum postoperative complication. A retrospective and cohort series of 1,474 primary TKA was performed with re-assessment after a minimum follow-up period of 2 years: 1,119 primary TKA had no previous surgery (group A) and 60 primary TKA had arthroscopic debridement (group B). All the patients underwent a clinical and radiological evaluation as well as IKS scores. Statistical analysis of postoperative complications revealed that group B had a higher postoperative complication rate (P < 0.01). In this group, 30% of local complications were re-operated and 8.3% of these cases underwent revision TKA (P < 0.01). The mean interval between arthroscopy and primary TKA was 53 months. However, statistical analysis did not reveal a direct correlation between arthroscopy/primary TKA interval and postoperative complications/failures (P = 0.55). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a survival rate of 98.1 and 86.8% at 10 years follow-up for groups A and B, respectively. Our data allow us to conclude that previous knee arthroscopy should be considered a factor related to postoperative primary TKA outcomes as demonstrated by the higher rate of postoperative complications and failures (P < 0.001) as well as a worse survival curve than group A.

Effect of epithelial debridement on human cornea proteoglycans.

Corneal transparency is attributed to the regular spacing and diameter of collagen fibrils, and proteoglycans may play a role in fibrillogenesis and matrix assembly. Corneal scar tissue is opaque and this opacity is explained by decreased ultrastructural order that may be related to proteoglycan composition. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to characterize the proteoglycans synthesized by human corneal explants and to investigate the effect of mechanical epithelial debridement. Human corneas unsuitable for transplants were immersed in F-12 culture medium and maintained under tissue culture conditions. The proteoglycans synthesized in 24 h were labeled metabolically by the addition of (35)S-sulfate to the medium. These compounds were extracted by 4 M GuHCl and identified by a combination of agarose gel electrophoresis, enzymatic degradation with protease and mucopolysaccharidases, and immunoblotting. Decorin was identified as the main dermatan sulfate proteoglycan and keratan sulfate proteoglycans were also prominent components. When the glycosaminoglycan side chains were analyzed, only keratan sulfate and dermatan sulfate were detected (approximately 50% each). Nevertheless, when these compounds were (35)S-labeled metabolically, the label in dermatan sulfate was greater than in keratan sulfate, suggesting a lower synthesis rate for keratan sulfate. (35)S-Heparan sulfate also appeared. The removal of the epithelial layer caused a decrease in heparan sulfate labeling and induced the synthesis of dermatan sulfate by the stroma. The increased deposit of dermatan sulfate proteoglycans in the stroma suggests a functional relationship between epithelium and stroma that could be related to the corneal opacity that may appear after epithelial cell debridement.

Effect of epithelial debridement on human cornea proteoglycans

Corneal transparency is attributed to the regular spacing and diameter of collagen fibrils, and proteoglycans may play a role in fibrillogenesis and matrix assembly. Corneal scar tissue is opaque and this opacity is explained by decreased ultrastructural order that may be related to proteoglycan composition. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to characterize the proteoglycans synthesized by human corneal explants and to investigate the effect of mechanical epithelial debridement. Human corneas unsuitable for transplants were immersed in F-12 culture medium and maintained under tissue culture conditions. The proteoglycans synthesized in 24 h were labeled metabolically by the addition of 35S-sulfate to the medium. These compounds were extracted by 4 M GuHCl and identified by a combination of agarose gel electrophoresis, enzymatic degradation with protease and mucopolysaccharidases, and immunoblotting. Decorin was identified as the main dermatan sulfate proteoglycan and keratan sulfate proteoglycans were also prominent components. When the glycosaminoglycan side chains were analyzed, only keratan sulfate and dermatan sulfate were detected (~50 percent each). Nevertheless, when these compounds were 35S-labeled metabolically, the label in dermatan sulfate was greater than in keratan sulfate, suggesting a lower synthesis rate for keratan sulfate. 35S-Heparan sulfate also appeared. The removal of the epithelial layer caused a decrease in heparan sulfate labeling and induced the synthesis of dermatan sulfate by the stroma. The increased deposit of dermatan sulfate proteoglycans in the stroma suggests a functional relationship between epithelium and stroma that could be related to the corneal opacity that may appear after epithelial cell debridement

VATS debridement versus thoracotomy in the treatment of loculated postpneumonia empyema.

BACKGROUND: There are approximately 60,000 new cases of postpneumonic empyema every day in the United States. Usually the fibrinopurulent stage of this complication has been treated by either tube thoracostomy or thoracotomy and debridement. According to the literature, thoracoscopic treatment has not been used often for this disease. METHODS: Sixty-four cases of postpneumonic fibrinopurulent empyema were operated on at our institution: 33 cases (group I) by means of a formal thoracotomy and 31 cases (group II) by thoracoscopy. In the thoracoscopic subset the data were collected prospectively since 1992. These results were compared with those of a historical series treated by thoracotomy between 1985 and 1991. Both populations were similar in terms of age (mean, 49 years), number of cases (33/31), sex (2.1 male/female), and comorbid status. RESULTS: Mean preoperative length of the medical management (11.5 versus 17 days) (p = 0.03) and chest tube removal (4.3 versus 6.1 days) were shorter in group II than in group I (p = 0.02). Morbidity and mortality were identical: one death and five complications in each group. Mean operative time was similar in both groups, and hospital stay was shorter in the video-assisted thoracic surgery group (6.8 versus 11.2 days) (p = not significant). Three patients from group II needed utilitary thoracotomies for debridement completeness (10% conversion rate). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that video-assisted thoracic surgical treatment has the same rate of success as open thoracotomy but offers substantial advantages over thoracotomy in terms of resolution of the disease, hospital stay, and cosmesis. A prospective and randomized study is needed to confirm the findings of this nonrandomized initial experience.