Epidemiology of pneumonia in a burn care unit: the influence of inhalation trauma on pneumonia and of pneumonia on burn mortality.

The aim of this study is to determine the epidemiological characteristics of burn patients developing pneumonia, as well as the predisposing factors and the mortality of these patients. Infectious complications present serious problems in severely burned patients. Pneumonia, in particular, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in burn patients. Patients with inhalation injuries are exposed to a greater risk due to the possible development of infectious complications in the lower respiratory tract. During their stay in our Burn Care Unit, 22.9% of our burn patients developed pneumonia and 10.9 % of these patients died. Risk factors for the development of pneumonia in burn patients were found to be inhalation trauma, high ABSI score, the Baux and modified Baux index, and high ASA score (p<0.01). Age and gender showed no significant correlation to the incidence of pneumonia. In this study we were able to determine the incidence of pneumonia in burn patients, their mortality and the strong correlation of the presence of inhalation injury with the development of pneumonia.

Le but de cette étude est de déterminer les caractéristiques épidémiologiques des patients brûlés qui développent une atteinte pulmonaire , ainsi que les facteurs prédisposants et le taux de mortalité . La pneumonie est une cause majeure de morbidité et de mortalité chez les patients gravement brûlés. Les patients atteints de lésions par inhalation sont exposés à un risque plus élevé en raison de l'évolution possible de complications infectieuses dans les voies respiratoires inférieures. Au cours de leur séjour dans notre unité de soins aux brûlures, 22,9% de nos patients brûlés ont développé la pneumonie et 10,9% de ces patients sont décédés. Les facteurs de risque pour le développement de la pneumonie chez les patients brûlés retrouvés sont le traumatisme de l'inhalation, le score élevé de ABSI, l'incice de Baux et l'indice Baux modifié, et le score ASA élevé (p <0,01). L'âge et le sexe des patients n'ont montré aucune corrélation significative à l'incidence de la pneumonie. Dans cette étude, nous avons pu déterminer l'incidence des complications pulmonaires du fait des lésions par inhalation .chez les patients brûlés, ainsi que sur le taux de mortalité.

[Infection of the hand: evaluation of a two-stage therapy]. / Handinfektionen: Evaluation eines zweizeitigen Therapieregimes.

INTRODUCTION: Infections of the hand are common diseases in hand surgery departments. The correct diagnosis and subsequent treatment is difficult and is often underestimated. In literature different and often conflicting treatments are recommended. The present study retrospectively analysed our two-stage surgical treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 60 patients (mean age: 51 years, 38 male, 22 female) were studied retrospectively on the basis of the diagnosis hand infection (ICD L03.-). In all patients, a rapid and radical surgical debridement without wound closure was performed. An antibiotic therapy was initiated. We investigated how often wound closure during a second-look operation, following a period of open wound treatment with antiseptic dressing was successful possible. Furthermore, the patients were followed up in our outpatient clinic. RESULTS: A successful secondary wound closure was possible after on average 38.7 h and in 92% of the patients. 8% of patients required further surgical treatment. These patients presented with either an existing disease or a delayed presentation with initial antibiotic treatment. Antibiotic therapy was performed on an average for 8.7 days. Altogether for 85% of the 58 patients examined in our outpatient clinic the therapy could be terminated after 3 weeks with a full recovery of function of the injured hand and with full force measurements. The inability to work was on average 16 days. DISCUSSION: The two-stage surgical treatment, with radical debridement and open wound dressing in our collective is an adequate treatment for infections of the hand. It is a safe procedure, that allows for combination with an antibiotic therapy by which a rapid restoration of function of the injured hand is possible.

Pirogow's Amputation: A Modification of the Operation Method.

Introduction. Pirogow's amputation at the ankle presents a valuable alternative to lower leg amputation for patients with the corresponding indications. Although this method offers the ability to stay mobile without the use of a prosthesis, it is rarely performed. This paper proposes a modification regarding the operation method of the Pirogow amputation. The results of the modified operation method on ten patients were objectified 12 months after the operation using a patient questionnaire (Ankle Score). Material and Methods. We modified the original method by rotating the calcaneus. To fix the calcaneus to the tibia, Kirschner wire and a 3/0 spongiosa tension screw as well as a Fixateur externe were used. Results. 70% of those questioned who were amputated following the modified Pirogow method indicated an excellent or very good result in total points whereas in the control group (original Pirogow's amputation) only 40% reported excellent or very good result. In addition, the level of pain experienced one year after the completed operation showed different results in favour of the group being operated with the modified way. Furthermore, patients in both groups showed differences in radiological results, postoperative leg length difference, and postoperative mobility. Conclusion. The modified Pirogow amputation presents a valuable alternative to the original amputation method for patients with the corresponding indications. The benefits are found in the significantly reduced pain, difference in reduced radiological complications, the increase in mobility without a prosthesis, and the reduction of postoperative leg length difference.

[Histological and immunohistochemical study of capsular contracture in an animal model--a comparison of two implants according to a modification of Wilflingseder's classification]. / Histologische und immunhistochemische Untersuchung zur Kapselfibrose im Tiermodell--Vergleich zweier Implantate mittels einer histologischen Klassifikation in Modifikation nach Wilflingseder.

BACKGROUND: The influence of silicone implants on the formation of a periprosthetic capsule can be well examined in animal studies. New implant materials have been developed to reduce capsular contracture. In order to evaluate the capsule formation, Wilflingseder et al. developed a histological score system. Because of new knowledge in the development of capsular contracture, the Wilflingseder classification is no longer appropriate. Current references are not considered so that a modification is required. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In a randomised, experimental animal study 31 mini-implants were implanted into the dorsum of female Wistar rats [17 smooth, 10 mL saline-filled silicone implants (Group A) and 14 titanium coated silicone implants (Group B)]. After 12 (group A/B12) or 36 (group A/B36) weeks, surgical removal of the implants with subsequent histomorphological and immunohistochemical examination of periprosthetic capsule formation was performed by 2 independent investigators in a double-blind manner. RESULTS: An analysis of the studies showed that the inner synovia metaplasia and the infiltration by inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes, histiocytes, plasma cells and granulocytes are of crucial importance in the development of a fibrotic capsule. The occurrence of these factors correlated significantly with each other and influenced also significantly the capsule architecture depending on implant surface. An adjustment of the existing Wilflingseder classification system was evaluated. The current rating system contains the following parameters: capsule thickness and cell layers of the capsule, the thickness of the inner synovial metaplasia, collagen structure, presence of histiocytes and the incidence of inflammatory cells. According to this classification, titanium-coated implants show an advantage in terms of the formation of capsular contracture. CONCLUSION: In 1974 Wilflingseder et al. developed a classification system for capsular contracture which is no longer appropriate, since current histological and immunohistochemical findings are not mentioned. Our study presents a new system which includes the latest insights into the development of capsular contracture and provides an objective classification of histological changes. Furthermore, we were able to show that titanium-coated implants are a promising approach in the reduction of capsular contracture.