Predicting the Outcome of Open Type IIIC Tibial Fractures Regarding Union, Osteomyelitis, and Amputation

Backgrounds: This study aimed to assess factors that affect union time and complications in Gustilo IIIC tibial fractures.Methods: Patients who presented to our center with IIIC open tibial fractures from January 2000 to October 2020 were eligible for this retrospective analysis. Patient demographics, fracture characteristics, timing, numbers, and type of surgical intervention were documented. Outcomes of interest included union time, occurrence of osteomyelitis, and amputation. Results: Fifty-eight patients were enrolled and grouped by fracture type; eight union on time (13.8%); 27 late union (46.6%); eight delayed union (13.8%); three nonunion (5.2%); and 12 amputation (20.7%). Nine fractures (15.5%) were complicated by osteomyelitis. Union time was prolonged in cases of triple arterial injury, distal third fractures, multiple trauma with Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16 points, and increased length of bone defect. Additionally, a bone gap > 50 mm, diabetes mellitus, low body mass index, and triple arterial injury in the lower leg were significant risk factors for amputation. A time from injury to definitive soft tissue coverage of more than 22 days was the major risk factor for osteomyelitis. A scoring system to predict union time was devised and the predicted probability of union within two years was stratified based on this score. Conclusions: IIIC tibial fractures involving the distal third of the tibia, fractures with bone defects, triple arterial injury, and multiple trauma with ISS ≥ 16 points demonstrated delayed union, and an effective prediction system for union time was introduced in this study. Early soft tissue coverage can reduce the risk of osteomyelitis. Finally, diabetes and severe bone and soft tissue defects pose a higher risk of amputation.

Reconstruction of Scalp Anterior Hairline with Tissue Expansion and Skin Flap

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Cutaneous defects involving the frontal region and anterior hairline of the scalp can result from congenital or acquired conditions. The negative esthetic impact can cause disturbances in the psychic and social sphere of the patient, causing problems in interpersonal relationships and in the body image itself. The use of skin expanders is usually effective in this region due to the bone base providing support and stability for its use. <b><i>Case Report:</i></b> We describe the case of a 64-year-old woman submitted to reconstruction of the anterior hairline of the scalp due to scar sequelae after coronal rhytidoplasty followed by pustular erosive dermatosis. We used tissue expansion (50 mL of saline per week until it reached 300 mL) and advancement flap. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Scalp reconstruction also includes vascularized soft tissue coverage, acceptable cosmetic appearance, and minimal morbidity for the donor area. The correction of scalp scars must obey 2 basic principles: tissue similarity and natural capillary pattern (direction, angle, capillary growth, and proper capillary line design). Tissue expansion and skin flap techniques can successfully correct defects in extensive scarring alopecia such as in the presented case.

Soft-tissue coverage for wound complications following total elbow arthroplasty

Background: In patients with total elbow arthroplasty (TEA), the soft-tissue around the elbow can be vulnerable to soft-tissue complications. This study aims to assess the outcomes after soft-tissue reconstruction following TEA. Methods: We retrospectively included nine adult patients who underwent soft-tissue reconstruction following TEA. Demographic data and disease characteristics were collected through medical chart reviews. Additionally, we contacted all four patients that were alive at the time of the study by phone to assess any current elbow complications. Local tissue rearrangement was used for soft-tissue reconstruction in six patients, and a pedicle flap was used in three patients. The median follow-up period was 1.3 years (range, 6 months–14.7 years).Results: Seven patients (78%) underwent reoperation. Four patients (44%) had a reoperation for soft-tissue complications, including dehiscence or nonhealing of infected wounds. Five patients (56%) had a reoperation for implant-related complications, including three infections and two peri-prosthetic fractures. At the final follow-ups, six patients (67%) achieved successful wound healing and two patients had continued wound healing issues, while two patients had an antibiotic spacer in situ and one patient underwent an above-the-elbow amputation. Conclusions: This study reports a complication rate of 78% for soft-tissue reconstructions after TEA. Successful soft-tissue healing was achieved in 67% of patients, but at the cost of multiple surgeries. Early definitive soft-tissue reconstruction could prove to be preferable to minor interventions such as irrigation, debridement, and local tissue advancement, or smaller soft-tissue reconstructions using local tissue rearrangement or a pedicled flap at a later stage.

Biodegradeable temporising matrix use in a traumatic chest wound

The Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery is responsible for a population of 10 million people in Wales and England. We describe the use of biodegradable temporising matrix (BTM) in a large traumatic chest wound in a 23-year-old woman. BTM is a synthetic dermal substitute and has been utilised to achieve soft tissue coverage in complex wounds. This wound was sustained after the patient fell from a tractor into a large silage rake, resulting in injuries to her chest and limbs. Following meticulous debridement, her resulting full thickness skin defect measured 30 × 30 cm extending from the sternal notch to the upper abdomen, with bone, muscle and breast tissue exposure. The central chest area is complex to reconstruct due to the contours of the breasts and tendency to contracture following skin graft reconstruction. We demonstrate the first reported use of BTM for breast reconstruction, as far as we are aware.

Management of a giant carbuncle on the posterior trunk with excision and grafting

Carbuncle is a painful subcutaneous mass of infected hair follicles with a purulent discharge. It has predisposition in conditions like diabetes, immune-compromised states, chronic skin diseases etc. The authors present a case of a 67 year old diabetic male with a giant carbuncle on his back. Due to its large size, systemic co-morbidity and increased risk of complications in surgical treatment, a multi-disciplinary team approach was employed. Both general and plastic surgery were involved, who performed excision and soft tissue coverage respectively. Aim of the surgical intervention methods, like wide excision and debridement, application of vacuum assisted wound closure (VAC) and skin grafting was to minimize the healing time and risk of development of post-operative infection. The patient was surgically managed and sent home in a good condition. Continuous....

Outcome of latissimus dorsi free flap in-case of large scalp defect a single center study

Reconstruction of scalp and calvarial defects following trauma post burn and after tumor ablation frequently requires prosthetic cranioplasty and soft tissue coverage. Furthermore, patients often have advanced disease and receive perioperative radiotherapy following tumor ablation. We evaluated the outcome of scalp reconstruction in traumatic cases with a free Latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flap in this setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome of latissimus dorsi free flap in-case of large scalp defect. This prospective non-randomized study was conducted on 10 patients with scalp defects following trauma attended emergency unit and outpatient department of burn and plastic surgery, Dhaka medical college hospital (DMCH) in the period between July 2017 and June 2018. Durability of coverage, flap success, infection and overall satisfaction were studied. The age distribution of the study population shows highest number of patients (60%) were in middle (24-30 years) age group whereas lowest are in older group (30-50 years). The lowest age was 24 years and the highest age was 45 years. Highest number of patients (80%) were standard myocutanous type of flap whereas lowest were in (20.0%) were partial latissimus muscle flap. Outcome of the reconstruction (80.0%) were excellent 10% partial flap necrosis occur and total flap loss in 1 (10%) patient. The reconstruction of scalp defects continues to be a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon, who must achieve a satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcome.

Central perforated VRAM flap and neurostimulated levator augmentation for functional and aesthetical reconstruction after abdominoperineal excision in cancer

BACKGROUND: Preservation of quality of life regarding fecal continence after abdominoperineal excision (APE) in cancer is challenging. Simultaneous soft tissue coverage and restoration of continence mechanism can be provided through an interdisciplinary collaboration of colorectal and plastic reconstructive surgery. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of surgical procedure and outcome combining soft tissue reconstruction using a central perforated vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (VRAM), implementing a perineostoma and restoring anorectal angle augmenting the levator ani by neurostimulated graciloplasty. METHODS: 14 Patients underwent APE due to cancer. In all patients coverage was achieved by pedicled VRAM and simultaneous pull-through descendostomy (perineostoma). 10 of those patients received a levator augmentation additionally. Postoperative complications, functional measures of continence as well as quality of life were obtained. RESULTS: Perineal minor complication rate was 43% without need of surgical intervention. All but one VRAM survived. Continence measures and disease specific life quality showed a good preservation of continence in most patients. CONCLUSION: The results present a complex therapy option accomplished by a collaboration of two highly specialized partners (visceral and plastic surgery) after total loss of the sphincter function and consecutive fecal insufficiency after APE.