Risk factors for wound complications in patients undergoing primary closure of the perineal defect after total proctectomy.

PURPOSE: Perineal wounds after complete proctectomy are at risk for failure, with dramatic consequences on patients' health and quality of life. This study is aimed at identifying risk factors for wound complications in patients undergoing primary closure of the perineal defect after total proctectomy. METHODS: Data from 284 patients undergoing total proctectomy from 2002 to 2012 either at the University of Chicago Medical Center or the Catholic University of Rome Hospital were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, the perineal wound complication rate was 21.8%. Successful conservative management was accomplished in 45.2% of cases. Complications occurred significantly more often in patients with a higher Charlson score index, with the diagnosis of rectal cancer, who had received preoperative radiation and who had a surgical drain placed at the time of initial surgery. Neoadjuvant radiation was the only significant risk factor at multivariate analysis (OR 4.40). In the rectal cancer subgroup, younger age, female gender, and preoperative radiation were predictors of wound complications. Based on that, a 3-point score (radiation, age, and gender (RAG)) was developed. Patients with a score of 3 had a 50% risk of developing a perineal wound complication. CONCLUSIONS: Perineal wound complications are a common and burdensome problem after total proctectomy. Preoperative radiation is the single most significant and controllable risk factor predicting perineal wound failure. In the presence of multiple, non-modifiable risk factors, alternative approaches to primary closure should be considered in managing complex perineal defects.

Anatomical and Surgical Concepts in Lymphatic Regeneration.

Chronic post-surgical lymphedema is common condition that afflicts nearly 2 million Americans. In the USA, it is most commonly encountered in the upper extremities of patients who have undergone axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. Lymphedema has a significant negative effect on cosmesis, limb function, and overall quality of life. Despite the impact of this condition, very little is known about how to effectively prevent or treat lymphedema. While therapeutic options for chronic extremity lymphedema remain limited, several surgical approaches have been suggested. These include techniques aimed at reducing limb volume, as well as techniques that aim to reconstitute disrupted lymphatic channels. Operations proposed to re-establish lymphatic continuity include lymphatico-venous anastomoses, lymphatico-lymphatico anastomoses, and tissue transfer.

Wide excision and healing by secondary intent for the surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: This study reviewed a single center's 14-year experience with surgical treatment of chronic, severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) through wide excision technique and healing by secondary intention. METHODS: All patients who underwent wide excision of HS between 2000 and 2014 and allowed to heal by secondary intention were included. Wound care consisted of topical antimicrobials and hydrotherapy. Physical therapy was initiated for joint contracture prevention. Patients were followed until complete wound closure. RESULTS: Seventeen patients underwent 23 separate surgical encounters, five with excision of multiple areas. Seventeen excisional procedures were conducted on the upper half of the body (axillary, breast) and 11 on the lower half (inguinal, perineum, perianus, and abdomen). Two patients developed HS recurrence adjacent to the surgical site (one requiring reexcision and the other treated with topical therapy), whereas two developed HS flares at distant nonsurgical sites managed medically. The mean follow-up was 1.02 years with a median of 6 months ranging from 1.2 months to 5.25 years. Complete wound healing ranged from 8 weeks to 16 months, with limited range of motion (ROM) in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: Attempts at removing all tissue affected by HS through wide surgical excision are the mainstay intervention for achieving complete local cure, particularly in the most severe cases of the disease. Our experience with wide excision of disease and healing by secondary intent demonstrated clinically satisfactory functional and excellent aesthetic results in multiple anatomic areas and even for large defects. This healing modality requires strict adherence to the wound healing protocol, which is often tolerated only by patients who have endured symptoms of severe HS for an extended length of time.

A Rare Case of a 15-Year-Old Boy with Two Accessory Nipples: One in the Forearm and One in the Milk Line.

A 15-year-old male presented for evaluation of a volar forearm mass that he noticed four years before. The mass was not painful and his main concern was cosmesis. The mass was two centimeters in diameter with a pinpoint central sinus and scant drainage. After excision, the pathology report noted pilosebaceous units and smooth muscle bundles, consistent with an accessory nipple. In addition, the patient had another accessory nipple in the "milk line" on his torso. While accessory nipples and breast tissue have been reported in numerous locations throughout the body, this is the first reported case of an accessory nipple on the forearm.