Direct application of ropivacaine-soaked gauze to sciatic nerve after necrotizing fasciitis exposes underlying muscles and nerves

2021 ◽  
pp. 204946372110424
Author(s):  
Christina Ratto ◽  
Yisi D Ji ◽  
Joseph McDowell

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive infection of the subcutaneous tissue and fascia with significant morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of literature published on the benefits of regional anaesthesia in patients with necrotizing fasciitis of the extremities. Case Presentation: This study demonstrates novel approaches to management of pain in a patient with necrotizing fasciitis of the lower extremity. A 47-year-old male with polysubstance use disorder was found to have necrotizing fasciitis of the lower extremity. Surgical debridement included 15% of his total body surface area and resultant exposure of his sciatic nerve. A ropivacaine-soaked gauze was applied directly to the exposed sciatic nerve. Femoral and lateral cutaneous nerve blocks were performed to facilitate necessary surgical dressing changes and physical therapy. Conclusion: This report details techniques used in postoperative pain management to facilitate surgical dressing changes after extensive debridement of an extremity for necrotizing fasciitis. The use of local anaesthetic-soaked gauze may be a useful adjunct in certain scenarios.

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Marelno Zakanito ◽  
Iswinarno Saputro

Introduction: Klebsiella pneumoniae necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon soft tissue infection characterized by rapidly progressing necrosis involving the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fascia. This condition may result in gross morbidity and mortality if not treated in its early stages. In fact, the mortality rate of this condition is high, ranging from 25 to 35%. We present a case of 7-month-old male with K. pneumoniae necrotizing fasciitis of the lower extremity. Materials and Methods: A 7-month-old male presented with large areas over both left and right inferior side of the lower limbs to the emergency department of Dr. Soetomo Academic Medical Center Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. Physical examination revealed elevated heart rate of 136 times per minute and increased body temperature of 38oC. The large areas on both lower limbs were darkened, sloughed off, and very tender to palpation. A small area over the right hand was erythematous and sloughed off. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated decreased hemoglobin of 6.2 g/dL and elevated leukocyte of 28,850 g/dL. Blood cultures demonstrated that K. pneumoniae was present. Discussion: NF is usually hard to diagnose during the initial period. The findings of NF can overlap with other soft tissue infections including cellulitis, abscess or even compartment syndrome. However, pain out of proportion to the degree of skin involvement and signs of systemic shock should alert the clinical to the possibility of NF. The clinical manifestations of NF start around a week after the initiating event, with induration and edema, followed by 24 to 48 hours later by erythema or purple discoloration and increasing local fever In the next 48 to 72 hours, the skin turns smooth, bright, and serous, or hemorrhagic blisters develop. If unproperly treated, necrosis develops, and by the fifth or sixth day, the lesion turns black with a necrotic crust. Conclusions: K. pneumoniae necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but lifethreatening disease. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and treatment of this condition


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S194-S194
Author(s):  
Gregory Lifferth ◽  
Bryan Roth ◽  
Marisse Lardizabal ◽  
Areta Kowal-Vern ◽  
Kevin N Foster ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Patients with burn injuries are at risk for lower extremity compartment syndrome, especially if the injury is circumferential. The hypothesis was that two dorsal escharotomy incisions to release foot and toe compartment syndrome would be most efficacious in the prevention of lower extremity amputations. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of foot compartment syndrome in burn patients between January 2001 and May 2019. Results The study consisted of 59 feet from 32 patients who had been admitted to the Burn Center for thermal injury. The patient age was a mean±sd of 29±30 years, and 41±29 as the % total body surface area (%TBSA); there were 19 males and 13 females. All patients had received fluid resuscitation on admission. Twenty-one (66%) of the patients did not require amputations after undergoing a median of two incisions (range 1–5); 6 of 59 (11%) required fasciotomies. Compared to medial or dorsal or multiple echarotomies, the majority of patients who underwent two dorsal foot escharotomies did not require amputations, p = .0001. Significantly more patients were alive with no amputation 15 (50%) compared to 4 (13%) (dead with amputations), p = .02. Survivors were significantly younger than the non-survivors (median 20 and range1-69) compared to the non-survivors (48, 12–59), p =.04. The survivors also had significantly less severe %TBSA median 22 (range 2–75) versus 83 (35–95) %TBSA, p < .0002. Dorsal/Lateral incisions had the highest number of amputations. Conclusions Foot dorsal compartment release is the most effective site for escharotomies in the treatment of burn-induced compartment syndrome. It does not require more than two incisions at the skin/fat level and over the second and fourth metatarsal bones on the dorsal part of the foot to decrease the lower extremity amputation rate in the majority of cases. Applicability of Research to Practice This research was a critical appraisal of the safest escharotomy foot incisions for compartment syndrome to avoid possible amputations in burn injury.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S120-S120
Author(s):  
Greg S Lifferth ◽  
Bryan J Roth ◽  
Marisse Lardizabal ◽  
Areta Kowal-Vern ◽  
Kevin N Foster ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Patients with burn injuries are at risk for lower extremity compartment syndrome, especially if the injury is circumferential. The hypothesis was that two dorsal escharotomy incisions to release foot and toe compartment syndrome would be most efficacious in the prevention of lower extremity amputations. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of foot compartment syndrome in burn patients between January 2001 and May 2019. Results The study consisted of 59 feet from 32 patients who had been admitted to the Burn Center for thermal injury. The patient age was a mean±sd of 29±30 years, and 41±29 as the % total body surface area (%TBSA); there were 19 males and 13 females. All patients had received fluid resuscitation on admission. Twenty-one (66%) of the patients did not require amputations after undergoing a median of two incisions (range 1–5); 6 of 59 (11%) required fasciotomies. Compared to medial or dorsal or multiple echarotomies, the majority of patients who underwent two dorsal foot escharotomies did not require amputations, p = .0001. Significantly more patients were alive with no amputation 15 (50%) compared to 4 (13%) (dead with amputations), p = .02. Survivors were significantly younger than the non-survivors (median 20 and range1-69) compared to the non-survivors (48, 12–59), p =.04. The survivors also had significantly less severe %TBSA median 22 (range 2–75) versus 83 (35–95) %TBSA, p < .0002. Dorsal/Lateral incisions had the highest number of amputations. Conclusions Foot dorsal compartment release is the most effective site for escharotomies in the treatment of burn-induced compartment syndrome. It does not require more than two incisions at the skin/fat level and over the second and fourth metatarsal bones on the dorsal part of the foot to decrease the lower extremity amputation rate in the majority of cases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 476
Author(s):  
Ioana Tichil ◽  
Samara Rosenblum ◽  
Eldho Paul ◽  
Heather Cleland

Objective: To determine blood transfusion practices, risk factors, and outcomes associated with the use of blood products in the setting of the acute management of burn patients at the Victorian Adult Burn Service. Background: Patients with burn injuries have variable transfusion requirements, based on a multitude of factors. We reviewed all acute admissions to the Victorian Adult Burns Service (VABS) between 2011 and 2017: 1636 patients in total, of whom 948 had surgery and were the focus of our analysis. Method and results: Patient demographics, surgical management, transfusion details, and outcome parameters were collected and analyzed. A total of 175 patients out of the 948 who had surgery also had a blood transfusion, while 52% of transfusions occurred in the perioperative period. The median trigger haemoglobin in perioperative was 80mg/dL (IQR = 76–84.9 mg/dL), and in the non-perioperative setting was 77 mg/dL (IQR = 71.61–80.84 mg/dL). Age, gender, % total body surface area (TBSA) burn, number of surgeries, and intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were associated with transfusion. Conclusions: The use of blood transfusions is an essential component of the surgical management of major burns. As observed in our study, half of these transfusions are related to surgical procedures and may be influenced by the employment of blood conserving strategies. Furthermore, transfusion trigger levels in stable patients may be amenable to review and reduction. Risk adjusted analysis can support the implementation of blood transfusion as a useful quality indicator in burn care.


Author(s):  
Nikita Batra ◽  
Yinan Zheng ◽  
Emily C Alberto ◽  
Omar Z Ahmed ◽  
Megan Cheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Treadmill burns that occur from friction mechanism are a common cause of hand burns in children. These burns are deeper and more likely to require surgical intervention compared to hand burns from other mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with healing time using an initial nonoperative approach. A retrospective chart review was performed examining children (<15 years) who were treated for treadmill burns to the hand between 2012 and 2019. Patient age, burn depth, total body surface area of the hand injury, and time to healing were recorded. Topical wound management strategies (silver sheet, silver cream, non-silver sheet, and non-silver cream) and associated treatment durations were determined. For patients with burns to bilateral hands, the features, treatment, and outcomes of each hand were assessed separately. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between time to healing and patient characteristics and treatment type. Seventy-seven patients with 86 hand burns (median age 3 years, range 1–11) had a median total body surface area per hand burn of 0.8% (range 0.1–1.5%). Full-thickness burns (n = 47, 54.7%) were associated with longer time to healing compared to partial-thickness burns (HR 0.28, CI 0.15–0.54, P < .001). Silver sheet treatment was also associated with more rapid time to healing compared to treatment with a silver cream (HR 2.64, CI 1.01–6.89, P = .047). Most pediatric treadmill burns can be managed successfully with a nonoperative approach. More research is needed to confirm the superiority of treatment with silver sheets compared to treatment with silver creams.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S186-S187
Author(s):  
Eduardo Navarro ◽  
Tera Thigpin ◽  
Joshua S Carson

Abstract Introduction In both partial thickness burns and skin graft donor sites, coverage with Polylactide-based copolymer dressing (PLBC dressing) has been shown to result in expedited healing and improved pain outcomes when compared to more traditional techniques. These advantages are generally attributed to the way in which PLBC remains as an intact coating over the wound bed throughout the healing process, protecting wounds from the contamination and microtraumas associated with changes more conventional dressings. At our institution, we began selectively utilizing PLBC as a means of securing and protecting fresh skin graft, in hopes that we would find similar benefits in this application. Methods Clinical Protocol-- The PLBC dressing was used at the attending surgeon’s discretion. In these cases, meshed STSG was placed over prepared wound beds. Staples were not utilized. PLBC dressing was then placed over the entirety of the graft surface, securing graft in place by adhering to wound bed through intercises. (Staples were not used.) The graft and PLBC complex was further dressed with a layer of non-adherent cellulose based liner with petroleum based lubricant, and an outer layer of cotton gauze placed as a wrap or bolster. Post operatively, the outer layer (“wrap”) of gauze was replaced as needed for saturation. The PLBC and adherent “inner” liner were left in place until falling off naturally over the course of outpatient follow-up. Retrospective Review-- With IRB approval, patients treated PLBC over STSG between April 2018 to March 2019 were identified via surgeon’s log and pulled for review. Documentation gathered from operative notes, progress notes (inpatient and outpatient) and clinical photography was used to identify demographics, mechanism of injury, depth, total body surface area percentage (TBSA%), size of area treated with PLBC dressing, graft loss, need for re-grafting, signs of wound infection, antibiotic treatment, and length of stay. Results Twenty-two patients had STSG secured and dressed with PLBC. Median patient age was 36.5 years. Median TBSA was 5.1%, and median treated area 375 cm2. Follow up ranged from 21 to 232 days post-operatively, with two patients lost to follow up. All patients seen in outpatient follow up were noted to have “complete graft take” or “minimal” graft. None of the areas treated with PLBC dressing required re-grafting. There were no unplanned readmissions, and no wound infections were diagnosed or treated. Practitioners in in-patient setting and in follow up clinic reported satisfaction with the PLBC dressing. Conclusions The PLBC dressing was a feasible solution for securing and dressings STSGs. Future work is needed to determine whether its use is associated with an improvement in patient outcomes.


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