RESUMO
AIM: Whether the macular lesions associated with spinal dysraphism should be preserved is controversial. This area is usually excised during reconstruction. This study aims to characterize the macular lesions associated with spinal dysraphism and to determine the outcomes of cases in which macular lesions are not excised. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient cohort comprised 17 patients with spinal dysraphism who were treated at Mersin University Hospital from 2005 through 2007. Blood and tissue samples were obtained from these patients. RESULTS: Electron microscopy results of tissue samples obtained from macular lesions are not consistent with those of hemangiomas. Increased numbers of vessels and significant dilatation was noted upon examination by light microscopy. The number of mast cell numbers, blood estradiol levels, expression of tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and dermal collagen fiber diameter were within normal range. Estrogen receptor-ß was not expressed. The number of endothelial cells expressing von-Willebrand factor was higher in the macular lesions. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of macular lesions associated with spinal dysraphism are consistent with those of capillary malformations. We believe that the preservation of these macular lesions during soft tissue reconstruction of spinal dysraphism defects, either by mobilization on a flap or primary closure, does not compromise the viability of the macular region. By preserving these macular lesions, the creation of larger defects during excision is avoided.
RESUMO
This prospective study was performed to analyze the causes of infection-related skin-graft loss in a general population of plastic and reconstructive surgery patients. One hundred thirty-two patients who received either full- or split-thickness skin grafts to reconstruct soft-tissue defects were included. The tissue defects were grouped according to the cause as follows: vascular ulcers (9.2%), burns (14.5%), traumatic tissue defects (36.6%), and flap donor-site defects (39.7%). In all cases, the preoperative evaluation indicated an adequate wound-bed preparation. However, graft loss secondary to infection was recorded in 31 patients (23.5%). The microbiological cultures revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 58.1% of the cases (P<0.05), followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter, enterococci, and Acinetobacter; 58.3% of grafts in vascular ulcers, 47.4% of grafts in burns, 16.7% of grafts in traumatic-tissue defects; and 13.5% of grafts in donor-site defects were lost due to infection. Vascular ulcers and burns were more commonly associated with graft losses due to infection than other tissue defects (P<0.001). No correlation was found between the etiological cause of the defects and the microorganisms cultured. However, Pseudomonas infections were more fulminant and caused an increased reoperation rate 4.2 times (P<0.05). Full-thickness grafts were more resistant to infection than split-thickness grafts (P<0.05). Graft loss due to infection was also more common in grafts applied to the lower extremities or when performed at multiple sites. In conclusion, 23.7% of skin grafts were lost due to infection in a group of general plastic surgery patients. Infection-related graft loss was more commonly encountered in vascular ulcers and burn wounds, and the most common cause was Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
