Enhancement of muscle’s activity by woven compression bandage

Electromyography (EMG) test, the recording of electrical activity in muscle, is a main tool usually used to evaluate themuscle’s activation. This study aims to discuss and analyse the effect of woven compression bandage (WCB) onmuscles’ activation. Flexor Carpi (FC), Soleus (SO), and Medial Gastrocnemius (MG) muscles were selected torepresent the wrist, ankle, and mid-calf muscles respectively, which were then evaluated by EMG electrical voltage testwith and without wearing WCB. The standardized activities used to test the FC muscle were flexion-extension andsqueezing a soft roll. While the protocol activities for MG and SO muscles were flexion-extension and walking actions.Wearing WCB significantly decreased the muscle’s activation and was associated with higher median frequency for bothSO and MG muscles during the tested activities. The EMG signals were analysed and filtered using MegaWin andMATLAB software. Root mean square (RMS) values confirmed that wearing WCB could improve the performance of FC,SO, and MG muscles and might reduce the muscle’s fatigue during the selected activities.

Efficacy of the hypothermic compression bandage in the surgical wound of cardiac devices

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Pocket hematoma is one of the most frequent complications (10%) of the cardiac devices implant. To reduce the risk of bleeding, once the wound is sutured and isolated with a sterile dressing, the nurse performs a compression bandage over the area of the generator pocket. The choice of the type of bandage on the wound of the generator pocket is the responsibility of the nurse and there are several methods that vary according to the center. The vasocontrictive property of ice is known but its applicability is not demonstrated in these types of wounds. Objective Evaluate the efficacy of the hypothermic compression bandage versus conventional compression bandage, for the prevention of surgical wound post cardiac device implant hematoma in chronic oral anticoagulant and / or platelet antiaggregant treatment. Methodology This is a randomized prospective study. The protocol was accepted by ethical committee. The team of nurses from the arrhythmia laboratory recruited 310 patients (sample size with statistical calculation) who were going to undergo an implant or replacement of a pacemaker or internal defibrillator. Those patients who were under treatment with oral anticoagulant and/or platelet antiaggregants were selected. Through a list of random numbers two therapeutic branches were created: the intervention group was applied a compressive bandage with ice and the usual group lacked the conventional compressive bandage. Both bandages placed just at the end of wound closure and for 6 hours post-implant. Skin status was stratified between healthy, ecchymosis, mild hematoma and severe hematoma. The assessment of the state of the skin was performed by a blinded nurse, in the control of the wound at 7 days post intervention. The primary endpoint was the appearance of hematoma. The secundary endpoint was the appearance of severe hematoma, defined as bleeding with vital commitment that required drainage or rehospitalization. Results 310 patients participated in the study. 156 patients were randomized to the intervention group and 153 to usual care. The mean age of the sample was 73.77 ± 10.68 years and 74.8% were men. There were no significant differences between the intervention and usual care groups on any baseline demographic or clinical characteristics. A total of 13 patients presented hematoma and 36 patients presented ecchymosis. In the intervention group, 5.88% (n = 18) of ecchymosis and 1.3% (n = 4) of mild hematoma were observed. In the usual care group, 5.88% (n = 18) of ecchymosis and 2.9% (n = 9) of mild hematoma were observed. No patient in neither groups had severe hematoma. No significant differences were observed between the two types of bandage in any of the 3 levels of hematomas. There were also no significant differences between hematoma and the type of platelet antiaggregants or oral anticoagulant. Conclusion After this study it is observed that there is no difference between applying a compression bandage with or without cold.

Experience of using an adjustable inextensible compression bandage in a patient with secondary lymphedema of the right upper limb

Introduction. Secondary upper-extremity lymphedema is most commonly caused by lymphadenectomy and radiotherapy (RT) of regional lymph nodes. Lymphatic edema differ in the fact that they lead to fibrotic changes in tissues, as the lymph contains up to 2–4% of protein, which causes a specific histopathological response. Proteins, as well as tissue protein-polysaccharide complexes, undergo transformations leading to pathological collagenization, and then to hyalinization and sclerosis. A vicious circle of pathological processes stemming from biophysical and chemical changes in proteins and polysaccharides with metabolic disorders occurs. Compression therapy is the most important component of the fight against both upper- and lower-extremity edema of various origins at any stage of the disease.The aim is to assess the postoperative stabilization of the upper-extremity edema state due to the patient’s self-bandaging using inelastic bandages and the possibility of personalized adjustment of pressure to be applied at the required level. The article provides indications for the use of an adjustable inelastic compression bandage to stabilize edema, and reviews a clinical example of its postoperative use in a patient with grade 4 secondary right upper-extremity lymphedema. Particular emphasis is placed on the versatility of adjustable inelastic compression bandage and the expediency of its widespread use in clinical practice.Conclusion. Simplicity and ease of use with an option to self-adjust and maintain the stable level of therapeutic pressure throughout the entire period of medical rehabilitation, as well as minimization of doctor’s involvement, allow us to recommend the adjustable inelastic compression bandage for effective use in wide clinical practice.

Inability of Laplace's law to estimate sub-bandage pressures after applying a compressive bandage: a clinical study

Objective: The aim of the current study was to compare pressures exerted on the lower limb by a high compression bandage as recorded by sub-bandage sensors and those estimated by Laplace's law. The correlation between pressures obtained in each anatomical zone and the corresponding limb perimeters were explored. Method: For the measurement of sub-bandage pressures, four anatomical zones in the lower right limb were determined. Pressures were recorded by nine pneumatic sensors and a PicoPress transducer. A two-layer compression bandage system (UrgoK2, Urgo Group, France) was used for the dressing. Pressures were registered in supine position. Sensor pressures were compared with those estimated by a modified Laplace's equation. Results: A total of 47 female volunteers were recruited (mean age: 21.9±2.3 years) to the study. In the four anatomical segments studied, pressures obtained by the sensors were lower than would be expected by applying Laplace's law (p<0.05). The biggest difference between the two methods was found at the supramalleolar level (42.1% lower by sensors compared with Laplace's equation). The correlation coefficient between pressure recorded by the sensors and that calculated at the perimeters was very weak, ranging from 0.5233 to 0.9634. Conclusion: Laplace's law, used to predict the sub-bandage pressure after applying a compressive bandage in the lower limb, was not useful, providing significantly higher pressures than those obtained by pneumatic sensors. Laplace's law underestimates the variable musculoskeletal components at the different segments of lower limb that act as compression damping forces.

Leech therapy in the treatment of a penile haematoma in a stallion

Treatment of penile haematomas includes conventional therapy and/or surgical intervention which may not always result in the recovery of all penile functions. For valuable breeding stallions, a safe and effective treatment is necessary and medical leech therapy meets these criteria. Additionally, the proven efficiency and safety of the use of leeches in the resolution of haematomas makes this method applicable to other fields of veterinary medicine. A 14-year-old stallion was presented and assigned to the university hospital with a swollen and prolapsed penis. The owner reported that the stallion was likely kicked in the penis while mating. There were no deviations in the physiological indicators during the general examination. A drainage was inserted and a compression bandage was applied. After an initial slight subsidence of the oedema, the healing process slowed down. Hence, the experimental leech treatment was applied. The hirudotherapy was performed twice, five days apart. The hirudotherapy proved to be safe and effective, and with the addition of hydrotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, resulted in the full recovery of the horse within 45 days. The erectile functions of the penis were restored and the stallion successfully continued its breeding career.

Practical experience with adjustable, non-extensible compression bandages in patients with nonhealing trophic ulcers

Introduction. The adjustable non-extensible compression bandage is a new product recently registered and approved for clinical use in the Russian Federation. The main indications for its use are severe chronic venous insufficiency and lymphedema, which cannot be corrected with traditional bandages and flat knit medical compressions. On the affected limb, an adjustable, non-extensible compression bandage allows high working pressure to be created at low, approaching zero, resting pressure. And depending on the tension of the velcro fastener, the working pressure can be adjusted between 20 and 50 mmHg or more. At the same time, the patient can maintain the actual pressure independently, regardless of the reduction in the volume of the limb. Low resting pressure makes it possible to use this type of bandage all day without the discomfort that is typical for traditional bandages and therapeutic compression knitwear felt by patients during sleep.Clinical case. Patient diagnosed with chronic lymphovenous insufficiency in both lower limbs. CEAP class C5 on the left, CEAP class C5 on the right. After undergoing acute iliofemoral thrombosis on the left, complicated by thromboembolism of small branches of the pulmonary artery, he was treated in a specialized vascular unit, where anticoagulant, antiplatelet and phlebotropic therapy was carried out. After the second episode of deep vein thrombosis, pain in the lower extremities, swelling of the tibia, skin itching and the appearance of small trophic ulcers started to worry, which temporarily closed against the background of increased compression therapy, prescription of phlebotropic drugs and local treatment. Subsequently, large trophic ulcers were formed on the inner surface of both shins above the ankle joint. An adjustable, non-extensible compression bandage was used on the right shin to correct chronic venous insufficiency and heal a trophic ulcer. The use of an adjustable, non-extensible compression bandage within 2 to 4 weeks resulted in the disappearance of chronic swelling, reduction of the pain syndrome, and then 5 months later – led to a reduction in trophic ulcer and the disappearance of infection signs.Conclusions. This clinical case of the successful closure of a large infected trophic ulcer that occurred after deep vein thrombosis against the background of coxarthrosis and which remained unhealed for 7 years clearly illustrates the broad possibilities of an adjustable, nonextensible compression bandage.

A custom-made conformer wrapped in lower oral mucosa for the correction of severely contracted socket

Purpose: To investigate the clinical effects of a custom-made conformer wrapped in lower oral mucosa for the correction of severely contracted socket. Methods: Clinical data and photographs of 32 patients with severely contracted socket were retrospectively analyzed. Among the 32 cases, 21 were males and 11 were females. Their ages ranged from 20 to 71 years (mean, 45 years). Each patient underwent conjunctival sac plasty using a custom-made conformer wrapped by oral mucosa, then compression bandage for 1 month. All patients received tarsorrhaphy 6 months postoperatively, and an artificial eye was worn 1 week later. Results: All the grafts were fully vascularized. The conjunctival sacs had enough space to fit the desirable artificial eyes, and adequate aesthetic outcomes were reached postoperatively. The mean depth of the upper fornix was 4.28 ± 0.66 mm preoperatively and 18.84 ± 0.65 mm postoperatively ( p < 0.01), and lower fornix depth was 2.69 ± 0.42 and 8.78 ± 0.82 mm, respectively ( p < 0.01). Lower lip deformity occurred in one case. Conclusion: A custom-made conformer wrapped in lower oral mucosa was a safe and effective grafting material. The grafts can be effectively used in the reconstruction of severely contracted socket and lead to good cosmetic outcomes.