Surgical treatment of sacral pressure injury in ambulating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective cohort with complications analysis and elaboration of a surgical treatment protocol.

BACKGROUND: The sudden increase of intensive care unit patients during the coronavirus pandemic led to an increase in the incidence of sacral pressure lesions. Despite being ambulating patients, in many cases the lesions were deep (Grade III and IV), mainly due to the long-term intubation and being bedridden during the pandemic. Most of these wounds necessitated surgical repair. OBJECTIVES: To measure the success and the rate of complications in reconstructions of grade III and IV hospital acquired sacral pressure lesions in ambulating patients after hospitalization for COVID-19. Developing a well-established protocol for surgical treatment of hospital acquired sacral pressure lesions during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Prospective cohort involving ambulating patients with grades III and IV sacral pressure lesions developed after hospitalization for COVID-19 from May 2020 to August 2020 (4 months). All of them were submitted to reconstruction with fasciocutaneous flaps. Demographics, comorbidities, and preoperative laboratory tests were compared and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was made in order to identify risk factors for complications. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were submitted to fasciocutaneous flaps to repair sacral pressure lesions with a total complication rate of 36.0%. Hemoglobin levels lower than 9.0 mg/dl (p = 0,01), leukocyte levels higher than 11.000/mm3 (p = 0,1), and C Reactive protein levels higher than 142 mg/dl (p = 0,06) at the time of reconstruction and bilateral flaps were independent factors for complications. CONCLUSION: Specific preoperative laboratory tests and surgical techniques were associated with a statistically significant increased complication risk. It was established a protocol for surgical treatment of hospital-acquired sacral pressure lesions to diminish these risks, focusing on ambulating patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impacto socioeconômico da pandemia da COVID-19 entre cirurgiões plásticos do Brasil / Socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among plastic surgeons in Brazil

Introdução: Devido à crise sanitária mundial provocada pela disseminação da COVID-19, muitos serviços de saúde interromperam a realização de procedimentos cirúrgicos não urgentes. No cenário da Cirurgia Plástica, no qual a maioria das cirurgias são eletivas, estimam-se consequências socioeconômicas a estes especialistas. O objetivo deste estudo é dimensionar este impacto. Métodos: Os efeitos da pandemia dentro da prática clínica dos cirurgiões plásticos brasileiros foi investigada por meio de um questionário on-line, endereçado aos associados da Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica. Resultados: A pesquisa foi aplicada a 645 cirurgiões. A maioria dos entrevistados relatou restrições operacionais à realização de procedimentos e redução da renda, sobretudo nas regiões severamente afetadas pela pandemia. Cirurgiões plásticos com mais de 10 anos de formação foram os mais prejudicados. Elevada taxa de contaminação, sobrecarga mental, diminuição na prática de atividades físicas e uso de medicações psiquiátricas também foram relatados. Conclusão: A pandemia da COVID-19 trouxe mudanças no cenário pessoal e profissional do cirurgião plástico brasileiro. Devido à importante redução no volume de trabalho, houve impacto financeiro nos especialistas de todas as regiões do país, além de reflexos na saúde física e mental. Adaptações foram necessárias para manutenção dos atendimentos, além de exploração de novas áreas de atuação para suprir a baixa demanda de cirurgias estéticas durante a crise.

Introduction: Global sanitary crisis caused by the spread of COVID-19 induced many health services to stop performing non-urgent surgical procedures. In the scenario of plastic surgery, where most procedures are elective, socioeconomic consequences are estimated for these specialists. The objective of this study is to measure this impact. Methods: Effects of the pandemic within the clinical practice of Brazilian plastic surgeons were investigated through an online questionnaire addressed to members of the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plástica. Results: A survey was applied to 645 surgeons. Most respondents reported operation restrictions on procedures and income reduction, especially in regions severely affected by the pandemic. Plastic surgeons with more than 10 years of experience were the most affected. High contamination rates, mental overload, decreased physical activity, and psychiatric medications have also been reported. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic brought changes to the personal and professional life of the Brazilian plastic surgeon. Due to the significant reduction in the workload, there were financial impacts on specialists from all country regions, besides physical and mental health issues. Adaptations were mandatory to maintain services and explore new areas of activity to supply the low demand for cosmetic surgery during the crisis.

Avaliação do impacto no atendimento de pacientes com ferimentos descolantes durante a pandemia de COVID-19 em serviço especializado / Assessment of the impact on the care of patients with detaching wounds during the COVID-19 pandemic in a specialized service

■ RESUMO Introdução: A pandemia da COVID-19 foi responsável pelo aumento dos índices de isolamento social, resultando na diminuição de acidentes de trânsito. Traumas em geral estão entre os problemas de saúde pública mais importantes em todo o mundo. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o impacto do isolamento social na cidade de São Paulo durante a pandemia da COVID-19 nos atendimentos de pacientes com ferimentos descolantes. Métodos: Estudo observacional, retrospectivo e descritivo. Foram revisados todos os prontuários de pacientes atendidos no Pronto Socorro do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), pelo Grupo de Feridas Complexas do Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica, admitidos por ferimentos descolantes e submetidos a procedimento cirúrgico, no período de abril a junho dos anos de 2019 e 2020. Resultados: Foram incluídos 20 pacientes com ferimentos descolantes em membros inferiores. Em 2019, foram atendidos 14 pacientes, com idade média de 47 anos, sendo 7 vítimas de acidente de trânsito, 5 de atropelamento, 1 de esmagamento e 1 de queda da própria altura. Em 2020, durante a pandemia, foram atendidos 6 pacientes com ferimento descolante, com idade média de 36,16 anos, sendo que 5 foram vítimas de acidentes com motocicletas e 1 de atropelamento. Nenhum paciente apresentou COVID-19. Conclusão: Durante o isolamento social houve redução numérica nos atendimentos de traumas descolantes no período de quarentena.

■ ABSTRACT Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for increasing social isolation rates, resulting in a reduction in traffic accidents. Trauma, in general, is among the most important public health problems worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the impact of social isolation in the city of São Paulo during the COVID-19 pandemic on the care of patients with detaching wounds. Methods: Observational, retrospective and descriptive study. All medical records of patients treated at the Emergency Room of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (HCFMUSP), by the Complex Wounds Group of the Plastic Surgery Service, admitted for detaching wounds and undergoing surgical procedures, were reviewed, from April to June of the years 2019 and 2020. Results: Twenty patients with detaching injuries on the lower limbs were included. In 2019, 14 patients were seen, with a mean age of 47 years, 7 of which were victims of traffic accidents, 5 of being run over, 1 of crushing and 1 of falling from standing height. In 2020, 6 patients were treated with detaching wounds during the pandemic, with a mean age of 36.16 years, 5 of which were victims of motorcycle accidents and 1 of being run over. No patient had COVID-19. Conclusion: During social isolation, there was a numerical reduction in care for detaching trauma during the quarantine period.

Case Report: Stage VI Morel-Lavallée Lesion with a Large Challenging Defect.

Morel-Lavallée lesion (MLL) is a closed degloving soft-tissue injury that results in the accumulation of a hemolymphatic fluid between the skin/superficial fascia and the deep fascia. This is a rare injury that may be challenging to diagnose, and necessitates early identification and treatment to achieve the best outcomes. We report the case of a 45-year-old male patient who was referred to our institution for large wound closure after undergoing debridement of a misdiagnosed MLL that became complicated by infection and sepsis. The patient was retrospectively diagnosed with a Stage VI MLL and had to undergo 4 operations with skin grafting and vacuum-assisted closure therapy playing an essential role in achieving tissue closure. This case was presented as a reminder of this rare diagnosis, and the importance of considering it when faced with a patient presenting with a relevant clinical picture post trauma. An early diagnosis is important because early intervention can prevent complications and lead to better outcomes. The misdiagnosis in the case of our patient and delayed treatment led to an aggressive debridement with a large wound that was challenging to close.

The impact of COVID-19 on the plastic surgery activity in a high-complexity university hospital in Brazil: the importance of reconstructive plastic surgery during the pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The Hospital das Clínicas - University of Sao Paulo Medical School (HCFMUSP) is the largest university hospital complex in Brazil. HCFMUSP has been converted into a reference center for coronavirus disease 2019. The Division of Plastic Surgery postponed non-essential surgeries and outpatient consultations, accomplishing new guidelines (ANG) of national and international organizations. Even with these challenges arising from the pandemic, alternatives were considered to maintain institutional characteristics. This study aims to analyze this new scenario and the impact on patients' assistance and Plastic Surgery residents training. METHODS: Total number of surgeries, type of procedures, and outpatient consultations in 2020, before (pre-ANG) and after (post-ANG) ANG, were compared with the same period in 2019 (2019-pre and 2020-post). RESULTS: A marked reduction in the total number of surgeries and outpatient consultations was observed in the post-ANG period. In the post-ANG period, 267 operations were performed (26.7 ± 20.3/week), while in the 2019-post period, 1036 surgeries were performed (103.6 ± 9.7/week) (p = 0.0002). Similarly, 1571 consultations were conducted in the post-ANG period (157.1 ± 93.6/week), while in the 2019-post period, 3907 were performed (390.7 ± 43.1/week) (p = 0.0003). However, in the post-ANG period, an increase in the proportion of reconstructive compared with aesthetic surgery was observed. The maintenance of highly complex procedures such as microsurgical transplants was also identified. CONCLUSIONS: The predominant profile of reconstructive surgeries at the Division of Plastic Surgery allowed the continuity of procedures at all technical complexity levels, patient care maintenance, and Plastic Surgery residents training.Level of evidence: not ratable.