Bacterial fluorescence imaging as a predictor of skin graft integration in burn wounds.

BACKGROUND: Split-thickness skin graft (STSG)1 integration rates are susceptible to improvement. Infection and/or biofilm should be appropriately addressed prior to grafting to improve the likelihood of graft-take. Incorporating technological aids such as fluorescence (FL)2 imaging (MolecuLight®), which accurately locates areas of bacterial loads above 104 CFU/gr, for graft site assessment and preparation could yield better outcomes. METHODS: This single-center, prospective observational study included adult burn patients with previously infected wounds that had been deemed clinically and microbiologically clean and were therefore candidates for grafting. Prior to grafting, a FL imaging assessment (blinded to the surgical team) localized areas positive for moderate-high bacterial loads (>104 CFU/gr). Intra-operatively, a standard swab sample from the recipient site was collected by the surgical team. Postoperatively, areas positive/negative for FL and areas of graft take and failure were overlapped and measured (cm2) over a 2D schematic. The performance and accuracy of FL imaging and swab sampling in relation to graft outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: 38 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean total body surface area (TBSA)3 involvement was 14.5 ± 12.4 % [range 0.8 - 40.2 %]. 25/38 of the subjects enrolled had complete graft take while 13 had partial graft losses. There were no total losses. FL-imaging was positive in 100 % of losses versus 31 % (4/13) of the swab microbiology. FL-imaging was found to have a sensitivity of 86 %, specificity of 98 %, PPV of 72 %, NPV of 99 %, and an accuracy of 94 % for predicting any type or range of graft loss in the entire cohort. Meanwhile, the sensitivity of microbiology from swab samples was 30 %, with a specificity of 76 %. CONCLUSIONS: FL imaging is an accurate method for assessing recipient sites and predicting the outcome of a skin graft among burn patients. These findings suggest that FL imaging can inform better decision-making surrounding grafts that may lead to better outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IIA, Therapeutic study.

Equivalence in Color-coded Duplex Sonography Parameters before Complex Microsurgery.

Background: Color-coded duplex sonography (CCDS) is a widely proposed noninvasive diagnostic tool in microsurgery. CCDS has been applied to lower extremity salvage cases to define appropriate blood flow velocity criteria for achieving arterial success in diabetic foot and complex microsurgery cases. This study aimed to compare the success ratio of free flaps when using CCDS versus cases where CCDS was not used. Methods: We included complex microsurgery cases from 2019 to 2021. These cases were subsequently categorized into two groups: group A consisted of cases where CCDS parameters were applied, whereas group B comprised cases where CCDS was not performed at all. Results: The study encompassed 14 cases (11 men and three women). The age range varied from 23 to 62 years, with an average age of 42. Using CCDS analysis and planning demonstrated improved outcomes in comparison with cases where CCDS was not performed, albeit without statistical significance (P = 0.064). Conclusions: The application of CCDS proves to be beneficial in the realm of microsurgery. Although not achieving statistical significance, our data imply that CCDS utilization holds promise for enhancing microsurgical procedures.

Comparison of wire versus Nylon in Bonny-Mallet Finger treated with pull-out surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Zone I extensor tendon lesion accompanies an avulsion fracture of the bone insertion. A common complication of traditional pull-out is the necrosis of the site of the button in the finger pad. Zhang described an alternative way of anchoring the cerclage to the Kirschner Wire (K-wire) to relieve the pressure in the finger pad. He describes the use of wire cerclage, for fracture reduction. The objective of this paper is to perform a comparison between wire and nylon using Zhang pull-out technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a cohort study comparing Nylon versus Wire in Zhang technique. Comparing cosmetic satisfaction, stiffness, residual pain, and Crawford scale. RESULTS: When comparing the outcomes between both groups, we found no statistical difference in cosmetic satisfaction (p = 0.285), stiffness (p = 0.460), and residual pain (p =1.000), overall complications (p = 1.000), or Crawford scale (p = 1.000). We only found a significant statistical difference in pain when removing the cerclage, being greater in Group B (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant outcome difference between nylon and wire cerclage. However, at the time of removing it, patients experience less pain.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Una complicación común del pull-put tradicional es la necrosis del sitio del botón en la yema del dedo. Zhang describió una forma alternativa de anclar el cerclaje al clavo de Kirschner para aliviar la presión en la yema del dedo. Describe el uso de cerclaje de alambre para la reducción de fracturas. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar una comparación entre el alambre y el nailon utilizando la técnica de extracción de Zhang. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Realizamos un estudio de cohorte comparando la técnica de nailon versus alambre en Zhang. Comparación de satisfacción cosmética, rigidez, dolor residual y escala de Crawford. RESULTADOS: Al comparar los resultados entre ambos grupos, no encontramos diferencias estadísticas en la satisfacción cosmética (p = 0.285), rigidez (p = 0.460) y dolor residual (p = 1.000), complicaciones generales (p = 1.000) o escala de Crawford (p = 1.000). Solo encontramos una diferencia estadística significativa en el dolor al retirar el cerclaje, siendo mayor en el Grupo B (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONES: No encontramos diferencias significativas en los resultados entre el cerclaje de nailon y el cerclaje con alambre. Pero, al momento de retirarlo, los pacientes experimentan menos dolor. Tipo de estudio: terapéutico Nivel de evidencia III.

Auricular Total Reconstruction with Radial Forearm Prelaminated Flap Assisted by 3D Surface Imaging and 3D Printing.

The anatomic position of the auricle leaves it vulnerable to traumatic lesions. In most cases, the best reconstructive outcome is accomplished using a temporoparietal flap with a costal cartilage frame and a partial thickness skin graft. Exceptional cases may require different approaches because the reconstructive goals could be more structural than aesthetic. An important factor in this regard is the mechanical properties of the skin that will provide coverage. This study aimed to share a particular case of total auricular reconstruction assisted by 3D surface imaging and 3D printing in a radial forearm free flap. We present a 58-year-old man with a history of having tympanic barotrauma causing hearing loss, burdening him with the use of auricular devices for hearing assistance. Seven days before presenting for the initial treatment, he sustained ear trauma while performing mechanical reparations in a car. The wheel was activated, causing a total amputation of the right ear. He first went to another hospital' where they performed primary closure and then referred him to our unit. The team performed a prelaminated radial forearm free flap assisted by 3D scanning and planning. A detailed comparison between the left ear and the result of the reconstruction was measured and described. The radial forearm prelaminated free flap is a viable structural alternative with the disadvantage of poor auricular definition in some cases.

Influence of BMI, Age, and Gender on the Thickness of Most Common Thinned Flaps.

BACKGROUND: Since the description of superficial fascia flap harvesting, a new window of opportunity has been open in obese patients, where a higher subcutaneous thickness of tissue is present. To our knowledge, the impact of body mass index on superficial fascial flaps has not been reported. METHODS: We recruited 122 patients from April 2019 to January 2020. From these patients, the 3 most common thinned flaps were selected: the superficial circumflex iliac perforator flap; the anterolateral thigh flap at the perforator A, B, and C; and the thoracodorsal flap. Two vertical measures were registered: the distance from the skin to the superficial fascia, and from this point to the deep fascia. RESULTS: The average flap measurement presented here was within the range, as previous clinical studies. The superficial fatty layer thickness in the superficial circumflex iliac perforator and anterolateral thigh flap was somewhat similar in thickness between overweight and obese patients, showing a minimal increase with higher body mass index. The anterolateral thigh flap was found thicker among women, and no statistical difference was shown between age groups in any of the flaps. CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of the fat layers' thickness will result in better planning, minimizing secondary debulking procedures, decreasing operative time, and reducing general complications among obese patients. Thus, a better understanding of flap structure and physiology in obese patients will lower complications and give more predictable results.