Nanocrystalline Silver Layer of Knitted Polyester Outperforms Other Silver-Containing Wound Dressings in an In Vitro Wound Model.

Background Silver possesses cytotoxic properties against many microorganisms and is regularly used in wound care. Current evidence supporting the use of one type of silver-containing wound dressing (SCWD) is insufficient. Materials and methods To examine the ability of selected SCWDs to inhibit the growth of two strains of bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) commonly found in wounds, an in vitro wound model was used. Bacteria were applied to the surface of nutrient agar, and a piece of each SCWD was applied to the bacteria. The plates were incubated at 37°C overnight. The zone of inhibition (ZI) around each SCWD was measured in cm2. Results The mean ZI for Acticoat Flex-3 on E. coli was 1.59 ± 0.15 cm2, which was significantly greater than that observed for Aquacel Ag (p<0.001), Mepilex Ag (p<0.0001), Mepitel Ag (p<0.001), Optifoam (p<0.0001), and Tegaderm Alginate Ag (p<0.01), but statistically indistinguishable from Maxorb II Ag. The mean ZI on S. aureus was 1.21 ± 0.16 cm2, which was greater than Aquacel Ag (p<0.05), Mepilex (p<0.0001), Optifoam (p<0.0001), and Tegaderm Alginate Ag (p<0.05), but statistically indistinguishable from Maxorb II Ag or Mepitel Ag. Conclusion Of the SCWDs tested, Acticoat Flex-3 demonstrated the most robust antimicrobial effect. Herein, we show that Acticoat Flex-3 may provide the most wound protection against bacterial infection. In conclusion, these data provide clinicians with additional independent evidence to inform their clinical practice on the use of specific wound dressings.

A Non-Fatal Impalement Injury to the Right Thorax: A Case Report.

Impalement injuries secondary to motor vehicle collisions are rare. Reviewing the systematic approach to treating these injuries can benefit the surgical community. This case report discusses the presentation and management of a 32-year-old male who was involved in a high-speed, roll-over motor vehicle collision. The car struck a chain-link fence, and the unrestrained passenger sustained a fence post impalement injury to his right thorax. He was alert and oriented when emergency services arrived. He was extricated rapidly and transported to our level-one trauma center, where he received definitive operative management. The patient survived the injury and was discharged home. This case highlights key points in the systematic approach to impalement injuries, including minimal handling of the impaled object, expedient transfer to the local trauma center, emergent operative intervention, vascular control prior to removal of the foreign object, and aggressive irrigation and debridement of the wound.

The use of percutaneous-endoscopic rendezvous stenting in a patient with bile duct injury after cholecystectomy-and a unique complication requiring secondary endoscopic intervention.

Bile duct injury (BDI) is a potentially devastating complication after cholecystectomy. Familiarity with the diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment options is imperative. This report highlights the utility of the rendezvous stenting procedure in a high-risk patient and describes a rare complication involving stent misplacement through the surgical drain. This is a 96-year-old female patient who suffered a Strasburg Class D injury during cholecystectomy, repaired over a T-tube. The T-tube dislodged postoperatively. Endoscopic and transhepatic stenting attempts were unsuccessful. Ultimately, a rendezvous approach allowed successful deployment of a covered metal stent. The stent was inadvertently deployed through a side fenestration of a surgical drain and was explanted upon drain removal. Repeat endoscopic stent placement was successful. The patient recovered without further complication. Surgical drains near the BDI can become sources of unexpected complications. A higher index of suspicion and careful interpretation of procedural imaging studies may prevent this complication.

A Retrospective Study Comparing Radiological to Histopathological Diagnosis After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Suspected Cholecystitis.

Introduction Acute calculus cholecystitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain in patients presenting to the emergency department, representing a third of all surgical emergency hospital admissions. Laparoscopic surgery is typically performed within 24 to 48 hours of hospital admission. Due to similarities in presentation, it is often difficult to differentiate between biliary colic and acute cholecystitis. Currently, it is not clear how the clinical and radiological diagnosis of acute calculus cholecystitis correlates with the histopathological diagnosis.  Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 350 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our community hospital for acute calculus cholecystitis. The aim was to compare pre-operative radiological diagnoses of acute calculous cholecystitis to post-operative histopathological diagnosis. Four radiographic modalities were used for diagnosis of acute calculous cholecystitis: ultrasound, computerized tomography, MRI, and hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HIDA scan). A correlation was found between both the clinical pain of biliary origin and radiological diagnosis with subsequent histopathological diagnosis after laparoscopic surgery. Results When the four commonly used imaging modalities were compared, HIDA scan had the highest sensitivity and ultrasound had the highest specificity in successfully diagnosing acute calculus cholecystitis that had been confirmed with histopathological analysis. Conclusion No absolute correlation was found between any of the imaging modalities when compared to the pathological diagnosis. The ultrasound had maximum specificity, while the HIDA scan had maximum sensitivity when radiological imaging was compared to histopathology.

Unusual Delayed Complication of Pacemaker Leads.

We present three patients who complained of chest pain secondary to displaced pacemaker leads. They underwent evaluation in the emergency room multiple times for chest pain. Imaging was useful to diagnose misplaced ventricular leads of the pacemaker. The patients needed a pericardial window for the extraction of leads and repair of the heart defect. The perioperative course was managed with a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists and electrophysiologists.

Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures: Indications, Techniques, and Pitfalls.

Rib fractures are a common thoracic injury that is encountered in 20% to 39% of patients with blunt chest trauma and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality1,2. Traditionally, the majority of patient with rib fractures have been managed nonoperatively. Recently, the utilization of surgical stabilization of rib fractures has increased considerably because the procedure has shown improved outcomes3-5. DESCRIPTION: Surgical stabilization should be considered in cases of multiple bicortically displaced rib fractures, especially in those with a flail chest and/or a concomitant ipsilateral displaced midshaft clavicular fracture or sternal fracture, as such cases may result in thoracic wall instability. For surgical stabilization of rib fractures, we classify rib fractures by location, type of fracture, and degree of displacement after obtaining thin-sliced chest computed tomography (CT) scans. The incision is selected depending on the fracture location, and the surgical technique is chosen relevant to the type of fracture. Single-lung intubation is preferred if there is no severe contralateral pulmonary contusion. We favor performing video-assisted thoracoscopy if possible to control bleeding, evacuate hematomas, repair a lung, and perform cryoablation of the intercostal nerves. A lateral approach is considered to be the main surgical approach because it allows access to the majority of rib fractures. A curvilinear skin incision is made overlying the fractured ribs. Posterior rib fractures are exposed through a vertical incision within the triangle of auscultation, and anterior fractures, through a transverse inframammary incision. The muscle-sparing technique, splitting alongside fibers without transection, should be utilized if possible and supplemented by muscle retraction. For surgical stabilization of rib fractures, we currently prefer precontoured side and rib-specific plates with threaded holes and self-tapping locking screws. Polymer cable cerclage is used to enhance plating of longitudinal fractures, rib fractures near the spine, osteoporotic ribs, and injuries of rib cartilage. The third to eighth ribs are plated most often. Intercostal muscle deficit, if present, is repaired with a xenograft patch. In comminuted rib fractures, the bone gap is bridged with bone graft. Surgical stabilization of rib fractures is recommended within the first 7 days after trauma, preferably within the first 3 days6-8. ALTERNATIVES: Nonoperative treatment alternatives include (1) epidural analgesia when not contraindicated because of anticoagulant venous thromboembolism prophylaxis9,10; (2) thoracic paravertebral blockage, e.g., serratus anterior or erector spinae plane nerve block11,12; (3) intercostal nerve block; (4) intravenous or enteral analgesics, e.g., opioids, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); (5) intrapleural analgesia, e.g., bupivacaine infusion; and (6) multimodal analgesia that incorporates regional techniques, systemic analgesics, and analgesic adjuncts9. RATIONALE: Surgical stabilization of rib fractures is a safe and effective method to treat displaced rib fractures. The procedure provides definitive stabilization of fractures, improves pulmonary function, lessens pain medication requirements, prevents deformity formation, and results in reduced morbidity and mortality.

Gluteal Compartment Syndrome After Prolonged Immobilization in Drug Abusers.

Background There has been an increasing incidence of drug abuse patients presenting with rhabdomyolysis after prolonged immobilization. Our study was to assess etiology and management challenges with patients presenting with gluteal compartment syndrome after drug abuse. Methodology We did a retrospective analysis of five patients who presented with gluteal compartment syndrome secondary to drug abuse over one year. Results We had a 100% association with rhabdomyolysis and acute renal injury necessitating hemodialysis. There was a frequent association with the involvement of additional compartments like thigh and leg. Conclusion Patients with drug overdose can present with unusual compartment syndrome involvement like the gluteal compartment. Compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency and needs multidisciplinary involvement.

Vascular Shunt for Small Vessel Trauma in a Polytrauma Patient.

A 15-year-old male patient presented with multiple gunshot injuries. The patient underwent emergency lifesaving exploratory laparotomy and subsequently needed repair of his left upper limb ulnar artery injury. A shunt helped restore blood flow to the hand in a setting of damage control surgery in an exsanguinating patient with an ulnar artery injury having a massive disruption. After resuscitation, the patient underwent definitive repair of the artery using a vein interposition graft.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Can Prevent Surgical Site Infections Following Sternal and Rib Fixation in Trauma Patients: Experience From a Single-Institution Cohort Study.

The management of patients with traumatic injuries can be a challenge. Many require surgical intervention, are at an increased risk of surgical site infections (SSIs), and have an associated increase in hospital length of stay and cost. Closed-incision negative pressure therapy (ciNPT) has shown benefits in the management of certain surgical sites by preventing infection and improving wound healing. In the setting of chest wall reconstruction after traumatic sternal and/or rib fractures, no study so far has examined the efficacy of this treatment. We report a single-center retrospective cohort study, examining outcomes using ciNPT following rib and sternal fixation in trauma patients. Data on 71 patients who suffered from rib and/or sternal fractures, requiring surgical intervention, were collected over a time period of three years, from December 2016 to December 2019. The patient population was 66% male (47/71), had a mean age of 63.3 years (range 23-90 years old), and suffered from injuries related to motor vehicle or motorcycle accidents (45/71, 63%). Among the patients treated with ciNPT, none developed signs of SSIs during their initial hospitalization or within two months post-discharge follow-up. Negative pressure therapy is an effective wound care management system for preventing infections in closed-incision sites following chest wall reconstruction.

Isolated Injury to Prepuce After Motor Vehicle Collision.

A four-year-old male restrained passenger in the rear seat was in a motor vehicle collision. He had pain and swelling in the tip of the penis with the inability to micturate. The patient on evaluation had an isolated injury of the prepuce. The patient underwent an evaluation to rule out underlying penile/urethra and associated injury of kidney and bladder. The patient had an isolated injury to prepuce, causing urinary retention for which he underwent circumcision.

The Effectiveness of Laparoscopic-assisted Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Patients with Unfavorable Anatomy: A Single-center Retrospective Cohort Study.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an easy means to provide enteral access in patients unable to maintain adequate nutrition via the oral route. In patients with morbid obesity, altered intra-abdominal anatomy due to prior abdominal surgery, the interposition of the colon or other factors precluding endoscopy, feeding tube placement by laparoscopic means (LAPEG) can provide a potentially safe alternative. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy and outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted placement of PEG in adult patients. This is a retrospective cohort analysis of adult patients, who underwent PEG and/or laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement (LAPEG) by two surgeons at a single institution. A total of 36 patients underwent PEG and/or LAPEG. No significant differences were found in the total and postoperative length of stay and mortality. There were no procedure-related complications in the LAPEG group versus two in the PEG group (8.7%), but this did not reach statistical significance. LAPEG was 100% successful in gaining enteral feeding access in patients that had failed PEG. The most common reason for PEG placement failure was colonic interposition (39%), followed by intra-abdominal adhesions and gastric displacement by hiatal hernia (each 23%). 38.5% of LAPG procedures could be done via 5-mm single port access, 38.5% required two-port and 23% required three-port access. In conclusion, LAPEG is a feasible minimally invasive alternative to gain enteral feeding access in patients that have failed PEG that does not increase the length of stay, morbidity or mortality.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Caused by an Axillary Lipoma.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, is a rare chronic neuro-inflammatory pain condition, which can follow a soft-tissue, bone (type I), or nerve injury (type II) that can be severe and often lasts longer than the original tissue damage. Lipomas impinging on the brachial plexus are rare. To date, there have been no documented cases of CRPS caused by a benign tumor. Here, we report a rare case of CRPS caused by surgical removal of a left axillary lipoma impinging on the brachial plexus. The patient presented with neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia of the left arm, in a non-dermatomal pattern, and pain out of proportion to touch and painful stimulus. Persistent CRPS continued to occur post-operatively for one year without significant change in her pain characteristics. CRPS following elective or emergent surgery to the extremities can pose significant complications to recovery and post-operative care. This condition can be induced through surgery or trauma, which can complicate recovery, impair motor functionality, and cause debilitating pain. Treatment modalities and pathogenesis for CRPS remain obscure and limited, which leads to wide misdiagnosis. Our case highlights the importance of considering CRPS when evaluating differential diagnoses for pre- and post-operative conditions affecting the upper and lower extremities.

Extracellular Matrix Applications in the Treatment of Open Fractures With Complex Wounds and Large Soft Tissue Defects.

Use of biologic scaffolds such as extracellular matrix (ECM) is a promising trend in the treatment of complex wounds in orthopedic trauma patients. In this clinical series we describe the technique of the successful application of porcine urinary bladder ECM products in the treatment of open fractures of the extremities with complex wounds and large soft tissue defects. The clinical outcomes demonstrated that even in challenging cases where local flap coverage of bone or neurovascular structures is not possible, sequential xenograft implantation allowed us to achieve a stable soft tissue envelope. Different forms of ECM products are easy to apply in the presence of orthopedic hardware. In certain wounds, complete closure can be achieved even without subsequent skin grafting. We recommend relatively earlier application of xenograft.

Challenging current paradigms related to cardiomyopathies. Are changes in the Ca2+ sensitivity of myofilaments containing cardiac troponin C mutations (G159D and L29Q) good predictors of the phenotypic outcomes?

Two novel mutations (G159D and L29Q) in cardiac troponin C (CTnC) associate their phenotypic outcomes with dilated (DCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), respectively. Current paradigms propose that sarcomeric mutations associated with DCM decrease the myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, whereas those associated with HCM increase it. Therefore, we incorporated the mutant CTnCs into skinned cardiac muscle in order to determine if their effects on the Ca2+ sensitivities of tension and ATPase activity coincide with the current paradigms and phenotypic outcomes. The G159D-CTnC decreases the Ca2+ sensitivity of tension and ATPase activation and reduces the maximal ATPase activity when incorporated into regulated actomyosin filaments. Under the same conditions, the L29Q-CTnC has no effect. Surprisingly, changes in the apparent G159D-CTnC Ca2+ affinity measured by tension in fibers do not occur in the isolated CTnC, and large changes measured in the isolated L29Q-CTnC do not manifest in the fiber. These counterintuitive findings are justified through a transition in Ca2+ affinity occurring at the level of cardiac troponin and higher, implying that the true effects of these mutations become apparent as the hierarchical level of the myofilament increases. Therefore, the contractile apparatus, representing a large cooperative machine, can provide the potential for a change (G159D) or no change (L29Q) in the Ca2+ regulation of contraction. In accordance with the clinical outcomes and current paradigms, the desensitization of myofilaments from G159D-CTnC is expected to weaken the contractile force of the myocardium, whereas the lack of myofilament changes from L29Q-CTnC may preserve diastolic and systolic function.

The gastrointestinal complications of the Miami Pouch: a review of 77 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the gastrointestinal (GI) complications associated with the Miami Pouch (MP), a continent ileocolonic urinary reservoir. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent a MP from 1988 to 1997 at the University of Miami, School of Medicine, was employed. Data was analyzed in terms of early and late (beyond 6 weeks) GI complications resulting directly from the operation. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients underwent a MP, a form of continent urinary diversion. Seventy-two patients (93.5%) were previously radiated. The perioperative mortality rate was 11.7%. Twenty (26%) patients developed a GI complication (17 late and 3 early), and 5 (6.5%) were directly as a result of the MP. Twelve recto-vaginal and 1 recto-neo-vaginal fistulas were identified. All but one was considered as late. Three (3.9%) patients developed colo-MP fistulas (3, 5, and 14 months). All three patients failed conservative management and required reoperation. Two patients developed enterocutaneous fistulas (3 and 5 months). One patient developed breakdown of the ileotransverse colon anastomosis on postoperative day 12 and required reoperation with bowel resection and an ileostomy. She expired from intraabdominal sepsis. Finally, 1 patient developed short bowel syndrome secondary to an expanding hematoma in the small bowel mesentery. CONCLUSIONS: . The GI complication rate attributed directly to the MP is low (6.5%). Prompt recognition is the key to successful management of these complications. The majority of these complications are considered as late and do not occur in the immediate postoperative period. Conservative management of GI-MP fistulas is not successful and necessitates reoperation.