Can non-adhesive short stretch bandages change a life?

Venous stasis ulcers are common in patients who have a history of leg swelling, varicose veins, or a history of blood clots in either the superficial or the deep veins of their legs. The treatment is long and hard but the main aim of it is to create such an environment that allows skin to grow over an ulcer. Chronic wounds are a growing social, economical and health issue throughout the world. The purpose of this retrospective study was to establish detailed characterization of how effective a compression is in reducing the time of wound healing. A total of 176 patients with leg ulcers were included in our three years study. The measurements were taken based on the anamnesis, presenting clinical symptoms, digital photography at each dressing foam change, and, finally, wounds. During a 3 years period (2011-2013) a total of 176 patients (61 male and 115 female, 34.66% and 65.34% respectively) with different types of leg ulcers were treated at our Hospital. The average age is 68.94 years (male 68 years, female 70 years). We measured how long the patient had the wound before starting the treatment, and also how long the treatment lasted. This led us to the conclusion that compression therapy shortened the time of treatment by two thirds, compared to the usual therapy. Compression systems improve the healing of venous leg ulcers and should be used routinely regarding venous ulcers.

[Use of negative pressure therapy in the treatment of primary infected traumatic wounds of the foot caused by high energy impact]. / Uporaba terapije negativnim tlakom u lijecenju primarno inficiranih traumatskih rana stopala uzrokovanih ozljedivanjem visokom energijom.

Foot injuries caused by firearms and high pressure washing machines are not common, but due to high energy can be very destructive and contaminated with microorganisms. Due to the anatomical specificity of the foot, injures of the specific structure such as blood vessels, nerves and tendon-ligament apparatus are frequent. Soft tissue defect is often present. Functional and aesthetic recovery of the foot is a challenge for the surgeon. Direct and indirect effect of the negative pressure therapy helps in wound healing and provides good preparation for definitive surgical management of wounds.

Polytrauma in elderly.

The aim of this study is to present certain particularities in treating polytraumatized patients age of 65 and above. All of the patients were treated in our hospital. 413 patients were included in this 4 year study (2006-2010). Injury severity score was 17 and above (ISS > 17). Patients aged above 65 were sub grouped. In this 4-year period, we treated 52 or 13% elderly patients. In this subgroup there were 30 (58%) males and 22 (42%) females, with mean age of 74 (max age 95 years old). Demographic factors, injury mechanisms, patients resuscitation protocols, imaging used, etc. were also included as variables. Mortality rate in elderly patients was 31%, while in patients below 65 years of age as 12%. Taking relevant data into consideration, a special emphasis was given to certain circumstances of intensive and surgical treatment of elderly patients. A large portion of polytraumatized patients are consisted of elderly. Patients aged 65 and above have higher mortality rate with lower ISS in the mortal group and falls are the most frequent mechanism of trauma. In this study, we tried to emphasize some clinical implications when treating those patients, as well as importance in continuous medical staff education in trauma principles to minimize mortality rates.