Surgical management of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis: A systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: There is a strong rationale to develop locally-acting surgical treatments for digital ulcers (DUs) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Our aim was to examine the safety and efficacy of local surgical management for SSc-DU. METHODS: A systematic literature review was carried out until to August 2022 using 7 different databases. Original research studies concerning adult patients with SSc-DUs, and local surgical treatments were analysed using the PICO framework. We included randomized controlled trials, prospective/retrospective studies, and case series (minimum of 3 patients) References were independently screened by two reviewers including assessment of the risk of bias using validated tools. RESULTS: Out of 899, 13eligible articles were included. Autologous fat (adipose tissue AT) grafting was the surgical modality most identified (7 studies, 1 randomized controlled double blinded trial and 6 prospective open-label single arm studies). The healing rate (HR) with autologous fat grafting (4 studies) was 66-100 %. Three studies reported autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction grafting: HR of 32-60 %. Bone marrow derived cell transplantation in a single study showed 100 % healing rate over 4-24 weeks. Surgical sympathectomy was examined in 3 studies, prospective without comparator with a median healing rate of 81 %. Two surgical studies (of direct microsurgical revascularisation and microsurgical arteriolysis) showed 100 % healing of ulcers, with no complications. CONCLUSION: Several surgical approaches for SSc-DUs have demonstrated some degree of safety and effectiveness for DU healing. However, there are significant methodological issues. Future studies are warranted to rigorously investigate surgical interventions for SSc-DUs.

Stepwise surgical technique used to treat recalcitrant pretibial ulcerations: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Pretibial lacerations resulting from trauma may evolve into chronic wounds with worsening infections without treatment. There is a limited amount of literature on the presentation and treatment of recalcitrant pretibial ulcerations. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide a review of surgical treatment methodology that successfully managed recalcitrant pretibial ulcerations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective case review of patients with pretibial ulcerations. All wounds underwent aggressive debridement in the operative setting. Next, the wounds were fenestrated with a needle before placing one application of an antimicrobial acellular dermal tissue matrix derived from fetal bovine dermis, which was tightly adhered onto the wound bed. All wounds received a uniform multilayer compression dressing. RESULTS: Three patients with pretibial ulcerations were included in this study. Each wound was a result of mechanical trauma and deteriorated into a refractory ulceration despite initial conservative treatment for more than 6 months. All ulcers exhibited local infection of cellulitis, hematoma, and a collection of purulent fluid. None of the wounds had any signs of radiographic osteomyelitis. The application of the allograft following debridement and fenestration led to wound volume reduction by 75%, 66.7%, and 50% in 3 patients in 28 days. All wounds healed successfully within 4 months. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a fenestration method and an antimicrobial fetal bovine dermal matrix successfully healed recalcitrant pretibial ulcerations in high-risk patients.

Pain control with punch grafting in ulcers with underlying arteriolosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Martorell hypertensive ischaemic ulcers are often misdiagnosed and can be a clinical and therapeutic challenge. Controversy exists regarding both their underlying triggers and the type of treatment that should be carried out. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of punch grafting and conventional therapy in pain reduction. METHOD: A single-centre retrospective study was performed, including 40 patients with a clinical diagnosis of a Martorell ulcer or post-traumatic ulcer secondary to arteriolopathy in the elderly, who were treated with punch grafting (n= 24) or conventional medical treatment (n=16). RESULTS: There was a statistically and clinically significant reduction in pain after punch grafting. The minimal overall reduction was of three points in visual analogue pain scores. Of the patients who received punch grafting, 80% reported a VAS pain score of 0 at the third follow-up, in contrast with the 44% (n=4) patients who were treated without punch grafting. The mean time to epithelialisation was 82.1 days in patients who received conventional treatment and 43.5 days in those who received punch grafts. CONCLUSION: Punch grafting is a simple, validated and cost-effective technique that can be performed on an outpatient basis, promotes wound healing and reduces pain. It may control pain and stimulate epithelialisation even if the wound does not present with optimum wound bed characteristics for graft taking. Pain reduction and faster epithelialisation are associated with improvements in patients' quality of life.

Post-burn scar malignancy: 5-year management review and experience.

The study spotlights a severe uncommon post-burn complication, Marjolin's ulcer, in upper Egypt plastic and wound care centres. This problem is mainly related to inadequate medical care and awareness. No community or race is immune. The underlying malignant transformation mechanism remains unclear. The study aims, according to our experience, to review the prognostic factors through the management protocol of Marjolin's ulcers. This prospective study was conducted in the Aswan University Plastic & Burn surgery department in South Egypt between 2013 and 2020 and investigated 226 patients with chronic post-burn ulceration. Nineteen cases were proved to have Marjolin's ulcer, and the other cases that had been excluded from being malignant went for reconstruction with split-thickness skin graft with/without flap after adequate ulcer debridement. The surgical, oncologic, radiologic indications, and prognostic factors were reviewed according to our management outcome-the assessment with follow-up period extended over 5 years. Histopathology of ulcers ranged among mild, moderate, and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. One scalp ulcer case showed basosquamous pathology. Most cases presented at age above 50, but no age was immune. The mean latent period was 29 years on average. The lesions' sites varied in their anatomic location where they involved the upper extremity, the scalp, and the lower extremity that had a predilection. Although surgical excision is the primary management line for tumour ablation, other factors may change the management course. During the follow-up period, neoplasm recurrence in the form of lymph node enlargement and/or locoregional metastasis was detected in eight cases. Within 1 year after the intervention, six recurrent cases died, and two were saved. In addition to the case study, this paper reviewed the literature and provided our team a good experience in light of the NCCN protocol for non-melanotic cutaneous carcinoma, although we suffered limited medical resources. It is concluded that early accurate diagnosis, low-grade malignancy, and well-planned individualised surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy were the best prognostic factors. The close follow-up for an early sign of disease recurrence is paramount.

An Eschar-like souvenir from a journey to Colombia: Ecthyma gangrenosum as a differential diagnosis of tropical diseases in immunocompromised patients - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ecthyma gangrenosum (EG) is a cutaneous infectious disease characterized by eschar-like skin ulcers typically caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we report a case of relapsing EG in a patient who had returned from a trip to Colombia, thus establishing EG as an important differential diagnosis of tropical diseases, and demonstrating that even long-term antibiotic treatment can result in only partial remission of EG. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old man with underlying chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) on ibrutinib treatment was admitted because of a superinfected mosquito bite on the left ear and multiple partially necrotic skin lesions disseminated all over the entire body five days after returning from a trip to Colombia. The initial clinical suspicion of a tropical disease (leishmaniosis, systemic mycosis, or others) could not be confirmed. During the diagnostic workup, microbiological cultures of the skin biopsies and bronchoalveolar lavage revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leading to a diagnosis of EG. Initial antibiotic treatment resulted in partial remission. However, the patient had to be re-admitted due to a relapse 3-4 weeks after the first episode. Finally, the patient was successfully treated with a combined approach consisting of antibiotics, recurrent surgical incisions, and administration of immunoglobulins. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, EG should be considered as a differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed patients presenting with eschar-like skin ulcers. A combined treatment approach seems to be the best choice to achieve clinical cure and avoid relapse.

Characteristics of Marjolin's Ulcers in 21st Century: A Retrospective Study, Systematic Review, and Surgical Guideline Recommendation.

Marjolin's ulcer is rare and aggressive malignancy. The objective was to conduct a review of Marjolin's ulcer cases to gain a better understanding and its management. A retrospective study of patients with Marjolin's ulcers at our hospital between 2010 and 2019 was conducted. For the systematic review, the electronic database of the National Library of Medicine was searched and articles published between 2000 and 2019 were included. A total of 14 patients were included in the retrospective study. Twelve patients were male. The mean age was 59.71 years. The latency period was 27.78 years. The most common malignancy was squamous cell carcinoma, and 71.43% had developed on the lower extremities. Well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas occurred in 38.46% of the cases Rates of lymphovascular and perineural invasion were 30.77 and 23.08%, respectively. Results from the literature search yielded 80 case reports (91 cases) and 42 retrospective reviews (1216 cases). Most cases were male and the most common location was lower extremities. The latency period for the acute and chronic periods was 2.75 months and 20.75 years, respectively. The most common malignancy was squamous cell carcinoma (92.27% in the retrospective reviews) and 59.98% of the cases exhibited well-differentiation. Rates of regional lymph node involvement and distant metastases were 10.20 and 12.09%, respectively. Marjolin's ulcer in 21st century is not so rare. The most common is well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Early flap surgery or skin grafts for chronic ulcers or burn scars are recommended to reduce risk. Guideline for surgical management is established.

[Diagnostic pitfall: Early arising, multiple and recurrent Marjolin's ulcer. About 8 patients (16 tumors) and literature review]. / Piège diagnostique : l'ulcère de Marjolin d'apparition précoce, multiple ou récidivant. À propos d'une série de 8 patients (16 tumeurs) et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Marjolin's ulcer (MU) is a large entity representing skin cancers resulting from the transformation of chronic wounds of a heterogeneous nature. Burn scars are the most at risk of degeneration, in particular because there are the sites of important skin tension. Atypical forms are not uncommon. The objective of this study is to present these exceptions which are underestimated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with UM in our centre between January 2011 and February 2019 have been included permitting to report the initial pathology, the location, the latency time, the histology and the management carried out. RESULTS: Eight patients were treated in our center for MU, they developed 16 skin cancers. Fourteen were squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). The shortest latency period was 2 months. The youngest patient was 22 years old when she was diagnosed with MU. Three patients had at least 2 synchronous SCC. One patient had a recurrence after a split-thickness skin grafting on artificial dermis and 2 patients had second locations. CONCLUSION: Atypic forms are not rare. MU is commonly recurrent, multiple, early arising and may appear in young people. The treatment of chronic wounds cannot be dissociated from the treatment of contractures, otherwise the wound will inevitably reappear.

Puncture Site Necrosis Over Hemodialysis Native and Prosthetic Vascular Accesses.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to detail our experience in the management of skin necrosis/ulceration over hemodialysis vascular accesses. METHODS: We collected demographics and operative data about patients undergoing surgery for skin necrosis over native or prosthetic vascular accesses. The different procedural techniques used and outcomes achieved were analyzed. RESULTS: Over a six-year period (2013-2019), 593 hemodialysis accesses were created and 16 patients (50%, 8 male; median age 63.6 years, range 42-87; 12 native and 4 prosthetic accesses) were emergently/urgently treated for skin necrosis with danger of rupture (n 9), minor active bleeding (n 4) or life-threatening hemorrhage (n 3). Underlying causes were local infection, aneurysm/pseudo-aneurysm formation and venous stenosis. Most accesses were preserved. Rescue procedures consisted in excision of skin necrosis in association with aneurysmorrhaphy (n 1, 6.3%), simple closure of the venous breach (n 2, 12.5%) or resection and direct re-anastomosis (n 7, 43.8%). Concomitant endoluminal dilatation of venous outflow was needed in 7 (43.8%) cases. No intraoperative complications were observed. At a median of 13 months (range 1-39), 90% of rescued accesses were still functional. CONCLUSIONS: Skin necrosis/ulceration over vascular access requires prompt surgical intervention ahead the risk of life-threatening hemorrhage. The rescue of a functional access is possible in most patients and provides an efficient dialysis in postoperative period.

Adoption of a Newly Introduced Dermal Matrix: Preliminary Experience and Future Directions.

INTRODUCTION: Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) products are adopted in the management of injuries to soft tissues. ADMs have been increasingly employed for their clinical advantages, and they are acquiring relevance in the future of plastic surgery. The aim of our study is to evaluate the application of ADMs in our patients who could not undergo fast reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on 12 patients who underwent ADM placement for scalp and limb surgical reconstructions at the Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano (Milano), Italy. Wounds resulted from 9 tumor resections and 3 chronic ulcers. The ADM substrate used to treat these lesions was PELNAC™ (Gunze, Japan), a double-layered matrix composed of atelocollagen porcine tendon and silicon reinforcement. All patients underwent a second surgical operation to complete the treatment with a full-thickness skin graft to cover the lesion. RESULTS: In this study, 12 patients were treated with PELNAC™: 11 out of 12 patients showed a good attachment over a median time of 21.3 days (range 14-27). After almost 23 days, all patients were ready to undergo a full-thickness skin grafting. CONCLUSION: This study assesses the benefits of PELNAC™ and proposes this method as an alternative to traditional approaches, especially in situations where the latter techniques cannot be applied.

Ablative Fractional Resurfacing for Chronic Wounds from Traumatic Scarring: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) can be utilized to improve scar appearance, texture, pain and associated contractures. Non-healing ulcers can also develop in areas of scarring and, in some cases, AFR can be utilized to heal these chronic wounds. We present a case of scarring with non-healing ulceration refractory to wound care, debridement and hydrotherapy successfully healed in four sessions with AFR using a 2940 nm Er:YAG laser. We review the literature on AFR for wound healing including potential mechanisms. AFR can be considered for non-healing ulcers in areas of scarring, once malignancy and infection are ruled out, and has the potential to provide relief for these suffering patients.J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19(11): doi:10.36849/JDD.2020.5444.

Ulcera de Marjolin (carcinoma escamoso) sobre eventración abdominal / Marjolin ulcer (squamous carcinoma) over abdominal hernia

Introducción: Las úlceras de Marjolin son neoplasias cutáneas que asientan sobre pieles afectadas por úlceras crónicas, quemaduras, cicatrices, estasis venosa o heridas cutáneas. Generalmente se diagnostica por medio de biopsias, siendo los carcinomas escamosos la variedad más frecuente. Existe escasa información sobre su desarrollo en heridas quirúrgicas abdominales previas, y aún menos casos reportados de su aparición sobre un defecto de la pared abdominal. Objetivo: Reporte de un caso de un paciente con antecedente de múltiples cirugías abdominales que desarrolló un carcinoma escamoso sobre cicatriz de laparotomía previa. Pacientes y Métodos: Presentación de un de un paciente masculino de 61 años, con antecedente de laparotomía exploradora, que consultó por una tumoración, de 6 meses de evolución, vegetante sobre eventración de mediana suprainfraumbilical. Se realiza exéresis de lesión en bloque de pared con enterectomia, anastomosis primaria y eventroplastia con malla de reemplazo. Cursa internación prolongada y con mala evolución, falleciendo al 77 día postoperatorio. Conclusión: Los carcinomas de células escamosas que se desarrollan sobre lesiones cutáneas previas presentan una agresividad mayor a aquellos desarrollados espontáneamente, tienen alto porcentaje de recidiva y metástasis asociadas. Se propone abordajes quirúrgicos radicales para su tratamiento, aun asi presentando una morbimortalidad elevada

Background: Marjolin ulcers are skin malignancies that appear on skin affected by chronic ulcers, burns, scars, venous stasis or skin wounds. They are generally diagnosed through a biopsy and the most frequent type is the squamous cell carcinoma. There is little information on its development in existing abdominal surgical wounds, and there are even fewer cases reported in relation to its appearance upon an abdominal wall defect. Objective: To report a case of a patient with a history of multiple abdominal surgeries who developed a squamous cell carcinoma in an existing laparotomy scar in association with an incisional hernia. Patient and Methods: A 61-year-old male patient, with history of an exploratory laparotomy in 1986, presents with a 6-month-old vegetating tumor upon a supra-infraumbilical median eventration. An excision of the lesion that included the abdominal wall and an associated enterectomy, primary anastomosis, and eventroplasty with replacement mesh was performed. During his prolonged hospital stay, he underwent with many medical intercurrences and even an additional surgery was needed. Eventually, the patient dies 77 days after the surgery. Conclusion: Squamous cell carcinomas that develop in existing skin lesions tend to be more aggressive than those that develop spontaneously. They have a high percentage of recurrence and associated metastases. Radical surgical approaches are suggested for its treatment, although it has a high morbidity and mortality rate.

Lower Limb Muscle Flaps: The Reverse Peroneus Brevis Flap.

Chronic ulcerations of the lower extremity centered around the lateral malleolus, medial malleolus, Achilles tendon, or anterior ankle are complex and difficult to heal with conventional treatment modalities. With the evolution of orthoplastics and microsurgery techniques, the peroneus brevis muscle flap has been shown to be simple, versatile, and effective in management of small to medium-sized soft tissue defects that may or may not have exposed bone, tendon, or both. This article reviews the peroneus brevis muscle flap in lower extremity reconstruction and presents pertinent real-world cases of its applications as a tool for limb salvage and orthoplastic reconstruction.

Analysis of Factors Affecting Chronic Ulcers of Scalp Transforming Into Marjolin's Ulcer: A Single Center Experience.

The Marjolin's ulcer (MU) is a rare malignant lesion, which is characterized by primary, chronic wound initially and formation of cancer after a certain incubation period eventually. Though few reports or a small case series about MU on the scalp have been published, special risk factors are still unknown about the formation of malignancy on the scalp with chronic ulcer. The aim of the article is to explore the risk factors. Seventy-four patients with the chronic ulcer were included in the study. In between, the chronic ulcer transformed into the MU on the scalp (tumor group) in 42 cases, while the chronic ulcer did not transform into the MU on the scalp (tumor-free group) in 32 cases as controlled group. We made a comparative study between the above two groups so as to find which risk factors were critical for cancer development. In tumor group, lymph node dissection was implemented if the lymph node metastasis was found. Artificial dura was used in eight cases when the dura was removed. Seven cases died. Two patients are currently undergoing follow-up. Other cases were without tumor detection from 1 to 7 years. When the comparative study between the above two groups, there is statistical significance about the influential factor: scar adherence to the skull (F = 5.602 P = .018). Scar adherence to the skull may be the most critical risk factor for cancer development for the scalp with chronic ulcer.

Punch grafting for pain reduction in hard-to-heal ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: Punch-grafting is a traditional technique to enhance wound healing, which has been associated with significant pain reduction. There are few studies measuring pain reduction after punch grafting, our study was designed to measure this outcome. METHOD: Patients with hard-to-heal wounds treated with punch grafting were included in a single centre prospective study. Wound pain intensity was measured using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline (before the procedure) and at three time points after the procedure. Punch grafting was performed in an outpatient setting. Patient demographic data, wound aetiology and percentage of graft take were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 136 patients were included (62 men and 74 women). Mean age was 60±35 years and 51 (38%) had venous leg ulcers (VLU), 29 (21%) had postoperative wounds, 15 (11%) Martorell ulcers, 15 (11%) traumatic wounds, four (3%) arterial ulcers and 22 (16%) 'other' ulcers. Of the patients, 38 (28%) did not present with painful ulcers and, after punch grafting, all of them remained painless; 29 (21%) patients obtained >70% pain reduction, whereas 73 (54%) patients achieved pain suppression. Pain suppression did not depend on the percentage of graft take. CONCLUSION: Punch-grafting is a simple, technique that not only promotes wound healing but also reduces pain. It can also be performed on an outpatient basis. Further studies should be performed to achieve a better understanding of this beneficial finding. Declaration of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Radiotherapy-related skin ulcer communicating with a left ventricular aneurysm.

Although radiation therapy is widely used to treat breast cancer, high doses of radiation may cause various complications. We report a case of a left ventricular aneurysm complicated with an intractable skin ulcer caused by radiation therapy for breast cancer. The communication between the aneurysm and skin ulcer caused severe bleeding. An urgent left ventricular repair and chest wall reconstruction with a rectus abdominis flap were performed successfully.

Limb Salvage in Diabetic Patients With Ischemic Heel Ulcers.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the outcomes of diabetic individuals with ischemic heel ulcers. The study group was composed of a consecutive sample of persons with diabetic ischemic foot ulcers managed by a preset multidisciplinary limb salvage protocol, including revascularization through endovascular technique. The outcome measures were healing, major amputation (above the ankle), and death at 1-year of follow-up. The outcomes between patients with heel ulcers (HUs) and without (NHUs) were compared. A total of 254 patients were recruited. There were 50/254 (19.7%) HUs and 204/254 (79.3%) NHUs. Overall, 190/254 (74.8%) patients healed. The rate of healing for HUs and NHUs was 30/50 (60%) and 160/204 (78.4%); P = .03, respectively. Major amputation occurred in 24/254 (9.4%) patients. The rates of major amputation for HUs and NHUs were 10/50 (20%) and 14/204 (6.9%; P = .002), respectively; 40/254 (15.7%) patients died, unhealed. The rates of mortality for HUs and NHUs were 10/50 (20%) and 30/204 (14.7%; P = .07), respectively. In HUs patients, absence of infection [95% CI = 3.1 (1.6-5.5); P = .002] and superficial ulcers [95% CI = 4.4 (2.2-9.3); P = .0001] were independent predictors of healing, whereas revascularization failure [95% CI = 8.1 (1.5.0-19.4); P = .0001], involvement of the plantar arch [95% CI = 6.3 (2.0-15.4); P = .0001], and dialysis [95% CI = 2.2 (1.3-4.5); P = .006] were independent predictors of major amputation. A multidisciplinary approach achieves good rate of limb salvage in people with diabetic ischemic heel ulcers.

Reconstruction of the distal lower leg and foot sole with medial plantar flap: a retrospective study in one center.

Soft tissue reconstruction of the distal lower leg and foot sole is a challenge for surgeons. In this article, we describe our experience and outcomes with distal lower leg and foot sole reconstruction using the medial plantar flap. From January 2007 to December 2017, 29 consecutive patients from our department underwent reconstruction of soft tissue defects over the distal lower leg, heel and plantar forefoot using medial plantar flaps. Of the 29 patients, the defects were located in the distal lower leg (n = 8 [27.6%]), heel (n = 14 [48.3%]) and plantar forefoot (n = 7 [24.1%]). The mean follow-up period was 18.6 months, 28 (96.6%) survived completely. Lateral partial necrosis occurred in one flap. No patient had recurrence of ulcer and two (6.9%) patients died within 1 year post-reconstruction owing to metastatic malignant melanoma. At last follow-up, all survived patients could walk for more than 1 h in normal shoes. All donor sites were covered with a split-thickness skin graft, no early nor late complications were encountered, and no patients complained about the donor site scar. The medial plantar flap may be considered as an effective method for the repair of small to medium soft tissue defects in the distal lower leg, heel and plantar forefoot.