InCISE: Instrument for Comprehensive Incisional and Surgical Evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of healing after head and neck surgery is currently qualitative and non-standardized, limiting the quality of surgical healing assessments in clinical and research settings. We sought to develop an objective, standardized wound assessment score, and hypothesize that a reliable instrument can be developed to evaluate head and neck surgical wounds. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary-care, academic head and neck surgery practice. Patients undergoing head and neck surgery were enrolled. A digital photograph protocol was developed for evaluating healing surgical wounds. A panel of experts developed and refined a wound healing score and established reliability, reproducibility, internal consistency, and validity of the score. RESULTS: InCISE: Instrument for comprehensive incisional and surgical evaluation was created. The utility of our wound healing score was assessed using classical test theory. We performed the major steps of establishing reliability in head and neck surgeons: (1) internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.81), (2) inter-observer reliability (intra-class correlation = 0.76), and (3) intra-rater reliability (intra-class correlation = 0.87), and content validity (through focus groups). Our composite measure was found to have strong internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and intra-rater reliability. Preliminary work suggests criterion validity via associations with physical health related quality of life (SF-12). CONCLUSION: A wound healing score for head and neck surgery, InCISE, has been developed and is reliable, reproducible, and consistent. Although content validity is present and criterion validity is suggested, work continues to establish validity in this instrument to allow for expanded clinical and research use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 133:2166-2173, 2023.

Pseudoaneurisma de artéria femoral comum em paciente covid19: relato de caso / Pseudoaneurysm of the common femoral artery in a covid-19 patient: case report / Pseudoaneurisma de la arteria femoral común en un paciente con covid-19: estudio de caso

Introdução: O pseudoaneurisma pode ser definido como um hematoma pulsátil resultante de uma laceração de uma artéria em que há extravasamento de sangue contido pelos tecidos circunvizinhos. Dessa forma, cria-se uma comunicação entre a artéria e uma cavidade, que receberá fluxo sistólico. As principais etiologias incluem traumas, pós procedimento, pós cirurgia vascular e infecções. Objetivo: Relatar o caso de uma paciente com pseudoaneurisma de artéria femoral, durante quadro de COVID-19. Método: Relato de caso baseado na análise de prontuário médico, exames de imagem e revisão da literatura. Relato de caso: Apresentamos uma paciente do sexo feminino, com 79 anos, com diagnóstico de pseudoaneurisma em Artéria Femoral Comum após realização de cateterismo arterial e durante quadro de COVID-19. No pós operatório, paciente evoluiu com deiscência e necrose da ferida operatória. Conclusão: A escolha cirúrgica foi eficaz e relativamente segura. Uso de aparato cirúrgico específico para a paciente positiva para COVID-19 foi necessário. A evolução complicada da ferida operatória possui associação ao crescimento de bactérias multirresistentes devido à internação e ao estado geral grave pós COVID-19.(AU)

Introduction: The pseudoaneurysm can be defined as a pulsatile hematoma resulting from a laceration of an artery in which there is extravasation of blood contained by the surrounding tissues. This creates a communication between the artery and a cavity, which will receive systolic flow. The main etiologies include trauma, post-procedure, post-vascular surgery and infections. Objective: To report the case of a patient with pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery, during COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Case report based on medical record analysis, imaging tests and literature review. Case report: We present a female patient, aged 79, diagnosed with pseudoaneurysm in Common Femoral Artery after arterial catheterization and during COVID-19. In the postoperative period, the patient evolved with dehiscence and necrosis of the operative wound. Conclusion: The surgical choice was effective and relatively safe. Use of specific surgical apparatus for the patient positive for COVID-19 was necessary. The complicated evolution of the surgical wound is associated with the growth of multidrug-resistant bacteria due to hospitalization and severe general condition after COVID-19.(AU)

Introducción: El pseudoaneurisma se puede definir como un hematoma pulsátil resultante de la laceración de una arteria en la que hay extravasación de sangre contenida por los tejidos circundantes. De esta forma, se crea una comunicación entre la arteria y una cavidad, que recibirá el flujo sistólico. Las principales etiologías incluyen trauma, post-procedimiento, post-cirugía vascular e infecciones. Objetivo: Reportar el caso de un paciente con pseudoaneurisma de la arteria femoral durante la COVID-19. Método: Reporte de caso basado en análisis de historias clínicas, pruebas de imagen y revisión de la literatura. Caso clínico: Presentamos una paciente de 79 años diagnosticada de pseudoaneurisma en la arteria femoral común tras cateterismo arterial y durante la COVID-19. En el postoperatorio la paciente evolucionó con dehiscencia y necrosis de la herida quirúrgica. Conclusión: La elección quirúrgica fue efectiva y relativamente segura. Fue necesario el uso de aparato quirúrgico específico para el paciente COVID-19 positivo. La complicada evolución de la herida quirúrgica se asocia al crecimiento de bacterias multirresistentes por la hospitalización y el grave estado general tras la COVID-19.(AU)

Machine learning analysis of multispectral imaging and clinical risk factors to predict amputation wound healing.

OBJECTIVE: Prediction of amputation wound healing is challenging due to the multifactorial nature of critical limb ischemia and lack of objective assessment tools. Up to one-third of amputations require revision to a more proximal level within 1 year. We tested a novel wound imaging system to predict amputation wound healing at initial evaluation. METHODS: Patients planned to undergo amputation due to critical limb ischemia were prospectively enrolled. Clinicians evaluated the patients in traditional fashion, and all clinical decisions for amputation level were determined by the clinician's judgement. Multispectral images of the lower extremity were obtained preoperatively using a novel wound imaging system. Clinicians were blinded to the machine analysis. A standardized wound healing assessment was performed on postoperative day 30 by physical exam to determine whether the amputation site achieved complete healing. If operative revision or higher level of amputation was required, this was undertaken based solely upon the provider's clinical judgement. A machine learning algorithm combining the multispectral imaging data with patient clinical risk factors was trained and tested using cross-validation to measure the wound imaging system's accuracy of predicting amputation wound healing. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients undergoing 25 amputations (10 toe, five transmetatarsal, eight below-knee, and two above-knee amputations) were enrolled. Eleven amputations (44%) were non-healing after 30 days. The machine learning algorithm had 91% sensitivity and 86% specificity for prediction of non-healing amputation sites (area under curve, 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that a machine learning algorithm combining multispectral wound imaging with patient clinical risk factors may improve prediction of amputation wound healing and therefore decrease the need for reoperation and incidence of delayed healing. We propose that this, in turn, may offer significant cost savings to the patient and health system in addition to decreasing length of stay for patients.

Negative pressure wound therapy versus usual care for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention (SWHSI-2 trial): study protocol for a pragmatic, multicentre, cross surgical specialty, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The majority of surgical wounds are closed (for example with sutures or staples) and so heal by primary intention. Where closure is not possible, or the wound subsequently breaks down, wounds may be left to heal from the bottom up (healing by secondary intention). Surgical wound healing by secondary intention (SWHSI) frequently presents a significant management challenge. Additional treatments are often required during the course of healing, and thus a significant financial burden is associated with treating these wounds. Increasingly, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used in the management of SWHSI. This wound dressing system provides a negative pressure (vacuum) to the wound, removing fluid into a canister, which is believed to be conducive to wound healing. Despite the increasing use of NPWT, there is limited robust evidence for the effectiveness of this device. A well-designed and conducted randomised controlled trial is now required to ascertain if NPWT is a clinically and cost-effective treatment for SWHSI. METHODS: SWHSI-2 is a pragmatic, multi-centre, cross surgical specialty, two arm, parallel group, randomised controlled superiority trial. Adult patients with a SWHSI will be randomised to receive either NPWT or usual care (no NPWT) and will be followed up for 12 months. The primary outcome will be time to healing (defined as full epithelial cover in absence of a scab) in number of days since randomisation. Secondary outcomes will include key clinical events (hospital admission or discharge, treatment status, reoperation, amputation, antibiotic use and death), wound infection, wound pain, health-related quality of life, health utility and resource use. DISCUSSION: Given the increasing use of NPWT, despite limited high-quality supporting evidence, the SWHSI-2 Trial will provide robust evidence on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of NPWT in the management of SWHSI. The SWHSI-2 Trial opened to recruitment in May 2019 and is currently recruiting across 20 participating centres. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN 26277546 . Prospectively registered on 25 March 2019.

Persistent Incisional Pain after Noncardiac Surgery: An International Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, characteristics, impact, and risk factors associated with persistent incisional pain. The hypothesis was that patient demographics and perioperative interventions are associated with persistent pain. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of an international prospective cohort study from 2012 to 2014. This study included patients who were 45 yr of age or older who underwent major inpatient noncardiac surgery. Data were collected perioperatively and at 1 yr after surgery to assess for the development of persistent incisional pain (pain present around incision at 1 yr after surgery). RESULTS: Among 14,831 patients, 495 (3.3%; 95% CI, 3.1 to 3.6) reported persistent incisional pain at 1 yr, with an average pain intensity of 3.6 ± 2.5 (0 to 10 numeric rating scale), with 35% and 14% reporting moderate and severe pain intensities, respectively. More than half of patients with persistent pain reported needing analgesic medications, and 85% reported interference with daily activities (denominator = 495 in the above proportions). Risk factors for persistent pain included female sex (P = 0.007), Asian ethnicity (P < 0.001), surgery for fracture (P < 0.001), history of chronic pain (P < 0.001), coronary artery disease (P < 0.001), history of tobacco use (P = 0.048), postoperative patient-controlled analgesia (P < 0.001), postoperative continuous nerve block (P = 0.010), insulin initiation within 24 h of surgery (P < 0.001), and withholding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors on the day of surgery (P = 0.029 and P < 0.001, respectively). Older age (P < 0.001), endoscopic surgery (P = 0.005), and South Asian (P < 0.001), Native American/Australian (P = 0.004), and Latin/Hispanic ethnicities (P < 0.001) were associated with a lower risk of persistent pain. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent incisional pain is a common complication of inpatient noncardiac surgery, occurring in approximately 1 in 30 adults. It results in significant morbidity, interferes with daily living, and is associated with persistent analgesic consumption. Certain demographics, ethnicities, and perioperative practices are associated with increased risk of persistent pain.

Statin treatment and hypertrophic scarring after cardiac surgery.

Wound healing process after surgical procedure plays a crucial role to prevent blood loss and infections. Hypertrophic scars might occur after surgery and are generally associated with an inflammatory burden. Cardiac surgery is intrinsically related to a strong systemic inflammatory state that might favor hypertrophic scarring. Besides lipid-lowering effects, statins are known for their pleiotropic and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of statins in the healing process after median sternotomy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. All patients undergoing major cardiac surgery with median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass, and subsequently evaluated in the outpatient clinic after discharge, were included in this study. A total of 930 Caucasian patients were retrospectively reviewed. At outpatient visit, 276 patients (29.7%) showed the formation of hypertrophic scars. Patients with hypertrophic scars tended to be younger (P = .001) and nonstatin users (P = .001). Logistic regression analysis confirmed the protective role of statins (odds ratio 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.53, P = .001), after adjustment for age. A dose-dependent effect was confirmed, showing a more intensive protective effect for higher doses of statins. Statin use might be correlated with reduced hypertrophic scars after cardiac surgery through median sternotomy. A dose-dependent effect has been shown, and statin effect seems to be independent of age in a selected population undergoing surgery with an elevated inflammatory burden. Although further studies are warranted to elucidate the biologic mechanisms, the concept of using statins as anti-scarring agents is novel and should be investigated with tailored studies.

A New Hydrocellular Wound Dressing Used After Dermatologic Surgery: Dermatologic Surgeons' and Patients' Perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Optimum postsurgical healing requires appropriate dressing use. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed effectiveness and tolerance of a novel, hydrocellular dressing in dermatologic surgery using validated tools, describing its use in clinical practice, and comparing surgeons' and patients' perceptions of scar evolution. METHODS: This study examined direct suture closures of surgical excisions of small- to medium-sized skin lesions on the extremities or trunk. Dressings were changed 3 times/week. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scales (POSAS) were used to assess outcomes. Data were collected at Day 0 (D0, FLC application), Day 15 to 21 (D15-21, suture removal), and Day 45 (D45) postprocedure by the surgeon and the patient. RESULTS: There were 128 patients (mean age: 55.1 years, 56.1% women). Mean length and width of the excisions were 3.5 × 1.65 cm and the most common FLC applied was 8 × 8 cm (67.7%). Most scars had normal pigmentation, pliability, and height at D15 to 21 and D45, as reported by patients and surgeons using VSS. Patient scores on visual analog scale (VAS) were high (>8/10) and global satisfaction measured by POSAS was generally high (>7/10 at D15-21; >8/10 at D45). CONCLUSION: These dressings were effective in managing surgical excisions, as assessed by VSS, VAS, and POSAS. Further controlled studies investigating various dressings in wound repair are needed.

Paraspinous Muscle Flaps for the Treatment of Complex Spinal Wounds.

MINI: This retrospective case series investigated paraspinous flaps for coverage of complex spinal wounds. 6.90% of patients developed postoperative wound infections and 0.00% of patients required instrumentation removal for infection. This suggests that these flaps may offer a long-term solution in wound management for patients with repeated spinal operations. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and complication profile of the use of paraspinous muscle flaps for closure of complex spinal wounds. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Paraspinous muscle flap closure offers an innovative option in difficult-to-manage post-spinal surgery wounds. Current literature reports are mixed in terms of success and complication rates of these flap procedures, with most sources citing a wound complication rate of 20%. METHODS: This case series investigated the hospital course of 58 patients undergoing paraspinous flap closure after spinal surgery between the years 2014 and 2018. Information gathered includes: demographics, surgery indication, location, and length of incision on the spine, nutrition labs, previous spinal surgeries, preoperative wound class, operative times, length of hospital stay, and complication rates including reoperation, wound infection, and other postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients undergoing spinal muscle flap closure, 51 (87.93%) had undergone previous spinal surgery with an average of 2.12 previous surgeries in these patients. Mean albumin and prealbumin were 2.62 and 13.75, respectively. 4/58 (6.90%) developed a wound infection or experienced a continuation of their chronic osteomyelitis. Of the 57 patients that had spinal instrumentation, three (5.26%) had spinal implants removed at the time of surgery and two (3.51%) had it removed or replaced later for mechanical complications. No patients had instrumentation removed for chronic infections. One (1.72%) experienced reoperation for wound-related complications. These rates are lower than most complication rates in the current literature. CONCLUSION: The plastic and reconstructive paraspinous muscle flap has promising results as a closure option for complex spinal wounds following neurosurgical cases. Further investigation is called for to determine the applicability of these results to the general population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Retrospective case series. To investigate the efficacy and complication profile of the use of paraspinous muscle flaps for closure of complex spinal wounds. Paraspinous muscle flap closure offers an innovative option in difficult-to-manage post-spinal surgery wounds. Current literature reports are mixed in terms of success and complication rates of these flap procedures, with most sources citing a wound complication rate of 20%. This case series investigated the hospital course of 58 patients undergoing paraspinous flap closure after spinal surgery between the years 2014 and 2018. Information gathered includes: demographics, surgery indication, location, and length of incision on the spine, nutrition labs, previous spinal surgeries, preoperative wound class, operative times, length of hospital stay, and complication rates including reoperation, wound infection, and other postoperative complications. Of the 58 patients undergoing spinal muscle flap closure, 51 (87.93%) had undergone previous spinal surgery with an average of 2.12 previous surgeries in these patients. Mean albumin and prealbumin were 2.62 and 13.75, respectively. 4/58 (6.90%) developed a wound infection or experienced a continuation of their chronic osteomyelitis. Of the 57 patients that had spinal instrumentation, three (5.26%) had spinal implants removed at the time of surgery and two (3.51%) had it removed or replaced later for mechanical complications. No patients had instrumentation removed for chronic infections. One (1.72%) experienced reoperation for wound-related complications. These rates are lower than most complication rates in the current literature. The plastic and reconstructive paraspinous muscle flap has promising results as a closure option for complex spinal wounds following neurosurgical cases. Further investigation is called for to determine the applicability of these results to the general population. Level of Evidence: 4.

Negative pressure wound therapy for closed incisions in orthopedic trauma surgery: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis was performed to determine the efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) versus conventional wound dressings for closed incisions in orthopedic trauma surgery. METHODS: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases. The outcome measures included deep surgical site infection (SSI), superficial SSI; wound dehiscence and length of hospital stay. Cochrane collaboration's tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) were used to evaluate literature qualities. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies including 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 4 cohort studies met our inclusion criteria. NPWT resulted in a significantly lower incidence of deep SSI, superficial SSI, and wound dehiscence than conventional wound dressings. However, no statistically significant difference was found in the length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: NPWT appeared to be an efficient alternative to help prevent SSIs and wound dehiscence on closed incisions in orthopedic trauma surgery. Rational use of NWPT should be based on the presence of patient's condition and risk factors.

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Use of a transforming powder dressing in the lower leg wounds of two older patients: case studies.

This report describes the use of a transforming powder dressing to treat lower leg surgical wounds occurring in two older patients. Wounds in this location are difficult and slow to heal. Both of these wounds exhibited complete granulation within two weeks of powder application and total healing in under four weeks, all while requiring no patient or nursing wound care.

Applications of Topical Oak Bark Extract in Dermatology: Clinical Examples and Discussion

The versatility of wound healing and anti-inflammatory agents can be assets to dermatologists when other therapies lack appropriate mechanisms of action, or when the risk to benefit ratio may be in question. Bensal HP ointment is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent with in vitro activity against important pathogens such as MRSA and gram-negative bacteria, some fungal strains, and yeasts.1 Based on the physiochemical composition of Bensal HP ointment, and its impact after application to skin, there are many potentially benefits derived from the formulation stability. While there have been several animal and human studies characterizing the antibacterial, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory properties of Bensal HP, they do not provide real world clinical experience and guidance on potential utilization in dermatology. The goal of this article is to present a variety of clinical cases for which Bensal HP was utilized as a means of translating the pre-clinical and trial data. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(2):203-206.

Effectiveness of Assessing Ureteral Patency Using Preoperative Phenazopyridine.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the efficacy of phenazopyridine when used intraoperatively to assess ureteral patency and to investigate factors that may influence its efficacy. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review performed at the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, a Los Angeles County teaching hospital, from January 2014 through July 2016. Patients undergoing cystoscopy at the time of gynecologic surgery were identified via department case logs. All women receiving preoperative oral phenazopyridine were included. If ureteral flow was unable to be visualized with phenazopyridine alone, the medication was deemed ineffective, and sodium fluorescein was given intraoperatively. Patients were divided into a phenazopyridine effective or phenazopyridine ineffective group. Patient demographics, renal function, intraoperative fluids and urine output, estimated blood loss, timing and dose of medication administration, and complications were gathered from the chart and compared between groups using Fisher exact test, 2-sample t test, Wilcoxon test, and logistic regression for multivariable analysis. P < 0.05 was determined to be significant. RESULTS: Preoperative phenazopyridine was effective in 190 (91.8%) of 207 patients. It was ineffective in 17 patients who then required intraoperative sodium fluorescein. The group in which phenazopyridine was effective was more likely to have been given a 200-mg (vs 100-mg) dose (P = 0.02) and had lower intraoperative urine output (median, 450 vs 800 mL; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative oral phenazopyridine is effective in more than 90% of cases to detect during gynecologic surgery. A higher phenazopyridine dose and lower intraoperative urine output were associated with increased efficacy.

The bra strap incision in the open Latarjet procedure.

BACKGROUND: The anterior deltopectoral approach is the standard approach for performing the open Latarjet procedure. Through the use of a more medial and vertical skin incision, the scar can be cosmetically covered by the bra strap in women. We call this incision the bra strap incision. The intention of this study was (1) to elaborate if the bra strap incision is considered beneficial by female patients, (2) to find reproducible landmarks to indicate how the bra strap incision has to be oriented, and (3) to evaluate preliminary clinical results of patients in whom the bra strap incision was used. METHODS: In 18 patients with a mean follow-up of 21 (range, 12-31) months treated with an open Latarjet procedure through the bra strap incision, the clinical results (scar satisfaction, Constant and Murley score [CMS], and subjective shoulder value [SSV]) were retrospectively analyzed. To assess the typical course of the bra strap, anatomical landmarks were assessed in 100 consecutive female patients as the distance from the bra strap center to (1) the tip of the coracoid process, (2) the superior end of the anterior axillary fold, and (3) the acromioclavicular joint. RESULTS: All (18 of 18) patients stated that they would prefer the bra strap incision if the same procedure had to be performed on the opposite shoulder; 16 women were satisfied with the scar. The mean CMS was 83 (range 64-96) points and the mean SSV was 85 (range, 60-100) %. The mean distances from the bra strap center to the acromioclavicular joint, coracoid tip, and axillary fold were 28 (range, 5-60) mm, 15 (range, 2-17) mm, and 30 (range, 2-55) mm. No combination of distance measures and demographic variable revealed a linear relationship. CONCLUSION: This analysis shows that the bra strap incision appears to be highly welcomed by female patients and does not compromise the clinical outcome, when compared to previously published data. However, even though the typical location of the bra strap can be determined, the large variations in the distances make it more preferable to preoperatively mark the incision for optimal placement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is approved by the Ethical Committee Zurich. (Cantonal Ethical Committee number: ZH-Nr.2017-00891 ).

Comparison of surgical incision complete closure versus leaving skin open in wound class IV in emergent colon surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to compare the effect of techniques of wound closure in the emergent colon surgery with wound class IV. METHODS: Using 2014 the colectomy targeted ACS-NSQIP dataset; we identified patients undergoing emergent colectomy with wound class IV. Comparison of surgical incision complete closure versus leaving the skin open and multivariate logistic regression analyses was performed. RESULTS: Of 1792 patients undergoing emergent colectomy with wound class IV, the complete closure cohort had 1376 patients and the incision skin open cohort had 416 patients. The incidence of deep SSI was 2.3% in the complete closure cohort vs. 1.2% in the incision skin open, p = 0.15, and intra-abdominal abscess rate was 11.8% in the complete closure cohort vs. 12.3% in the incision skin open, p = 0.78. The dehiscence rate, readmission rate, and reoperation rates were not statistically significant between two cohorts. A multivariate model for dehiscence did not yield significant association between the complete closure cohort and incision skin open cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical incision complete wound closure in the emergent colon surgery with wound class III/IV is safe and effective.

Mycobacterium chelonae infection complicating traumatic and surgical wounds: A case series.

Mycobacterium chelonae is a rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium. The skin and soft tissue infections due to this organism are steadily on the rise and need to be delineated specifically as most of these are not responsive to routine antituberculosis treatment. Here, we report 3 different presentations caused by Mycobacterium chelonae in traumatic and surgical wounds. Mycobacterium chelonae can complicate surgical or traumatic wounds.This infection may also present as injection site abscesses. Diabetics on insulin injections are especially at risk. A high index of suspicion is necessary in long standing culture negative lesions for clinching the diagnosis. PCR can be helpful in confirming the diagnosis.

An effort to improve the accuracy of documented surgical wound classifications.

BACKGROUND: Discordance between circulating nurse- and surgeon diagnosis-based wound classifications may lead to erroneous risk-adjusted rates of surgical site infections with effects on inter-hospital rating, reimbursement, and public perceptions regarding quality of care. METHODS: After an initial two-month audit, we placed a wound class reference algorithm in each operating room and educated staff. An audit was repeated for a two-month period after this intervention. Statistical analysis of the whole and subgroup was performed. RESULTS: Pre-intervention, the wound classifications for 70 of 300 cases were discordant. In the post-intervention group, 79 of 483 cases were discordant (p = 0.016). Subgroup analysis of colectomy and appendectomy cases demonstrated dramatically improved concordance. For colectomies, discordance dropped from 84.6% to 15% post-intervention (p = <0.001). Appendectomy discordance went from 80% of cases to 30.4% post-intervention (p = 0.001). Wound class discordance increased for the cholecystectomy subgroup (20.4%-37%) but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.066). CONCLUSIONS: As we trend towards a pay-for-performance model, health care systems should review their internal controls on documenting surgical wound classes.