Serum Albumin Concentration on Admission as a Predictor of Morbidity and Mortality in Patients With Burn Injuries.

Efforts have been made to determine new predictors of morbidity and mortality in patients with severe burn injuries. This prospective cohort study aimed to determine the association of serum albumin concentration on admission and renal failure, pulmonary infection, sepsis, and death in patients with burn injuries. We included 141 patients, aged >18 years, who were admitted to our institution between April and August 2018. Among them, 59.1% were male and 83.8% had burns covering <20% of the body surface area. Scalds were the most common cause of burns (34.8%). Twelve patients died, of whom eight (66.6%) had an Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) ≥8. Patients with serum albumin ≤2.2 g/dL had a higher mortality rate than those with >2.2 g/dL (odds ratios [OR]: 18.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.9 to 70.8). Serum albumin ≤2.2 g/dL was also significantly associated with pulmonary infection (OR: 13.1, 95% CI: 3.8 to 45.7), renal failure (OR: 30.2, 95% CI: 7.4 to 122.3), and sepsis (OR: 16.9, 95% CI: 4.9 to 58.3). Serum albumin concentration cut-points and ABSIs were determined to be death predictors using areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs). The AUCs with albumin or ABSI alone were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.79 to 0.98) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.87 to 0.96), respectively. The AUC including both albumin and ABSI was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.90 to 0.98), indicating that the combination is a better death predictor than either measure alone. We confirmed that burn patients with a serum albumin concentration ≤2.2 g/dL on admission have substantially increased morbidity and mortality.

Management of an unusual presentation of Ascher syndrome.

Ascher syndrome is defined by the association between double lip, blepharochalasis, and nontoxic goiter. Because it is a rare disease, it is most often misdiagnosed, despite its implications for quality of life. We report a variation of an incomplete type of Ascher syndrome affecting the upper lip, upper eyelids, and lateral canthi of a young male patient. The surgical management, follow-up, and a brief overview of the syndrome are described. The results presented show an aesthetic and functional improvement of the facial deformities.

Atividades de dissecção de cadáveres e residência médica: relato da experiência do Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica do Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos da Universidade Federal da Bahia / Cadaver dissection activities in medical residency: experience of the Plastic Surgery Service of Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia

INTRODUÇÃO: O adequado conhecimento da anatomia do ser humano é crucial para o desenvolvimento de uma técnica cirúrgica apurada. O treinamento com peças anatômicas no meio universitário, muitas vezes, é insuficiente para o aprendizado. Assim, o uso de cadáveres para o ensino de anatomia e habilidades cirúrgicas na graduação e pós-graduação tem sua importância reforçada. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar a produtividade do Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica do Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos (HUPES) da Universidade Federal da Bahia, no que se refere às atividades de dissecção de cadáveres realizadas de 2009 a 2011, bem como a importância dessa atividade no treinamento dos residentes do serviço. MÉTODO: Foi realizada análise observacional retrospectiva da produção do serviço em decorrência das atividades de treinamento em dissecção de cadáveres, no período de 2009 a 2011. RESULTADOS: Foram desenvolvidas atividades no âmbito de ensino, pesquisa e extensão por meio de convênio firmado entre o Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica do HUPES e o Instituto Médico Legal do Estado da Bahia. Entre as ações pedagógicas empreendidas, a atividade de dissecção proporcionou a criação de um material rico de ensino que inclui diversos retalhos importantes para a prática diária dos médicos residentes. Em relação à pesquisa, foram desenvolvidos diversos artigos científicos que geraram publicações e apresentações em eventos científicos. Essa atividade deu origem, ainda, a uma monografia de conclusão de residência e a uma tese de doutorado. Por meio do convênio firmado, foi realizado estágio extracurricular para os acadêmicos de medicina, membros da Liga Baiana de Cirurgia Plástica (LBCP), em que puderam desenvolver habilidades não praticadas na universidade. CONCLUSÕES: Pode-se concluir que o Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica do HUPES obteve ganhos consideráveis com o desenvolvimento das atividades de dissecção cadavérica. Isso demonstra que o serviço vem consolidando sua atuação nos três pilares da educação: ensino, pesquisa e extensão.

BACKGROUND: Understanding human anatomy is crucial to the development of accurate surgical techniques. Training with anatomical specimens in the university environment is often insufficient for learning. Thus, the importance of using cadavers to teach anatomy and surgical skills in undergraduate and post-graduate courses is reinforced. This study aimed to report scientific outcomes related to cadaver dissection in the Plastic Surgery Service of Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos (HUPES), Universidade Federal da Bahia, from 2009 to 2011, and the importance of this activity for plastic surgery resident training. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational analysis of scientific production resulting from training activities related to cadaver dissection for the period from 2009 to 2011. RESULTS: We developed activities related to education, research, and extension by means of an agreement signed between the HUPES and the Forensic Medicine Institute of the State of Bahia. Among the educational activities undertaken, dissection activities led to the creation of rich educational materials relevant to the daily practice of resident physicians. With regard to research, several papers have been written, resulting in publications and presentations at scientific meetings. Cadaver dissection also was the subject of a conclusion dissertation and a PhD thesis. Through the partnership, extracurricular training was conducted for medical students as well as members of the Plastic Surgery League of Bahia (LBCP), allowing them to develop skills that had previously not been practiced at the university. CONCLUSIONS: The Plastic Surgery Department - HUPES obtained considerable gains by developing activities related to cadaver dissection. The service is contributing to progress in the three pillars of education: education, research, and extension.

The role of septal cartilage in rhinoplasty: cadaveric analysis and assessment of graft selection.

BACKGROUND: In addition to providing nearly 50% of total airway resistance via the internal valve, the nasal septum provides support for the cartilaginous portion of the nasal dorsum, and it is responsible for determining the projection of the nasal tip. In modern rhinoplasty, septal cartilage plays an important role as a donor graft material. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluate the anatomy of nasal septal cartilage, identifying variations according to certain regions of the septum and proposing a correlation between the topography and morphology of septal cartilage and graft choice. METHODS: An anatomical study was performed on 14 fresh adult cadavers. The excised septal cartilage was placed on grid paper; digital images were taken; all septal cartilage was divided into nine equivalent quadrants; and quantitative measurements for length, height, and area were calculated and compared. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: The average length of the septum was 35.14 mm, while the average height was 32.5 mm. The average septal area was 933.11 mm(2). The septal thickness mean values were analyzed in nine quadrants, ranging from 1.04 to 1.71 mm. Statistically-significant differences in mean values were found in 13 of the 14 cadavers. Specifically, the central and cranial areas were thickest, and the area corresponding to the L-strut was thinnest. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical variations of the thickness of septal cartilage excisions were found to be statistically significant, and these differences play an important role in the proper selection of the septal grafts.

Versatilidade do retalho musculocutâneo do tensor da fáscia lata / Versatility of the fascia lata tensor musculocutaneous flap

OBJETIVO: Relatar a experiência com a utilização do retalho musculocutâneo do tensor da fáscia lata (TFL em diferentes situações clínicas, evidenciando suas diversas aplicações, analisando e discutindo as indicações, resultados e complicações. MÉTODO: Entre janeiro de 2003 e dezembro de 2005 dezessete retalhos miocutâneos do TFL foram realizados para cobertura cutânea em uma variedade de defeitos em quinze pacientes.Durante o ato operatório a equipe optou pelo posicionamento do paciente em decúbito lateral em oposição ao lado da lesão a ser reparada. RESULTADOS: Houve sucesso com cobertura cutânea adequada em todos os casos. Em quatro destes ocorreu necessidade de enxerto de pele parcial na área doadora. Em dois casos houve isquemia distal do retalho e em um aconteceu pequena deiscência de sutura em zona doadora. CONCLUSÃO: O retalho miocutâneo do tensor da fáscia lata, portanto, possibilita uma excelente cobertura cutânea para tratamento de defeitos em diversos segmentos anatômicos com pouca morbidade em área doadora.

BACKGROUND: The fascia lata tensor (FLT) musculocutaneous flap holds a great versatility. It is used in countless situations. We present our experience with the use of this flap in several circumstances. We also analyze and discuss about indications, results and complications. METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2005, 15 patients (10 man and 5 women) underwent 17 FLT flaps to treat many skin defects. Patients were between 18 and 65 years-old. Patients' position during surgery was lateral decubitus. Follow up has been obtained from 6 months to 3 years. RESULTS: We succeed with fit skin coverage in all cases. Partial skin graft was necessary in four cases. Distal flap ischemia occurred in two patients. Small dehiscence at the donor site was seen (and treated by simple suture) in one case. CONCLUSION: The FLT musculocutaneous flap is extremely reliable and versatile; it has easy and fast execution and relatively few complications. It can successfully be used in many clinical situations.