Usefulness of Kaloderm® in Finger Tip Necrosis : A Case Report

We experienced a case of crush injury of the hand for which we performed a flap surgery and treated the necrotic parts placement using cultured allogeneic keratinocytes (Kaloderm^® ) with good results. The patient was a 31-year-old woman whose left middle finger was caught in a door, causing a crush injury. Although primary repair was performed, a 2 × 2.5-cm-sized necrosis developed, and a V-Y advancement flap was performed after the removal of dead tissues. However, a 1 × 2-cm-sized partial necrosis occurred and was treated using Kaloderm ^® . After the use of Kaloderm^® , the patient’s wound was healed, and no complications, except for mild pain, were observed for 1 year after the surgery. If a necrotic site appears after flap placement of fingertip, its treatment is difficult. If used well, Kaloderm^® may be a good option for necrosis of the fingertips and other areas that are difficult to cure.

The Use of Biologic Wound Healing Agents in Cheek Reconstruction

The unique requirements of reconstructing cheek defects, often with its proximity to the mobile elements of the face including the lip and the eyelid, have been met very handily with the directed and thoughtful use of biologic wound healing agents. One of the key advantages of these agents is their ability to provide coverage in patients with multiple comorbid conditions for the mobile elements of the cheek where the cervicofacial advancement flap is contraindicated due to its anesthetic requirement. The biologic agents are also highly successful coverage options for patients who have limited skin laxity to provide for proper skin closure using the standard cheek closure techniques with local flaps. In addition, these agents provide an ability to provide stable wound closure with minimal wound care while waiting for the excisional biopsy results to be finalized. This article describes the unique indications for biologic wound agents, including preservation of lip and eyelid mobile element anatomy without retraction from a local flap, which has not been previously described.

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.

Compare outcome of simple excision with primary closure vs rhomboid excision with limberg flap for pilonidal sinus

Background: Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus is a common condition usually affecting young-to-middle-aged men. For managing sacrococcygeal pilonidal illness, a variety of lateralizing surgical flap procedures based on this principle have been published, including the Karydakis flap, Limberg flap, modified Limberg flap, Z-plasty, and Y-V advancement flap. Aim: To compare the outcome of simple excision with primary closure versus rhomboid excision with limberg flap for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus. Methodology: Randomized control study conducted in Surgery Department, Ghurki Trust Hospital, Lahore. 90 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected from wards and were randomly divided in two equal groups. In group A, patients underwent rhomboid excision with limberg flap. In group B, patients underwent simple excision with primary closure. The operation was performed under spinal anesthesia. After surgery, patients were evaluated every 24 hours if they are able to move on their own then they were discharged and hospital stay was noted. Then after 10 days, patients will be called in OPD for assessment of wound healing. If wound did heal and patient complained of pain (VAS>4) and cannot sit and have fever (temp>100oF) Results: The average age in group A was 44.37±15.42 years while that in group B was 45.24±14.50 years. In group A there were 23(51.1%) males and 22 (48.9%) females whereas in group B there were 25(55.6%) males and 20(44.4%) females. There was difference significant in the mean stay in hospital in both groups (p-value=0.002). Conclusion: The conclusion of the study, that primary sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease and rhomboid excision with Limberg's flap is an effective treatment. Keywords: Simple Excision with Primary Closure, Rhomboid Excision, Limberg Flap, Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Sinus

Minor Sphincter Sparing Surgery for Successful Closure of Perianal Fistulas in Patients with Crohn’s Disease

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that repetitive minor surgical procedures allow for a high rate of permanent closure of perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Patients with perianal fistulizing CD (PFCD) who underwent perianal surgery at the University Hospital of Muenster between 2003 and 2018 were assessed for fistula characteristics and surgical procedures. We included 45 patients (m:f = 28:17) with a mean age of 27 years at first fistula appearance. Of these, 49% suffered from a complex fistula. An average of 4.2 (1–14) procedures were performed, abscess incisions and fistula-seton-drainages included. Draining setons were left in place for 5 (1–54) months, until fistula closure. Final surgical techniques were fistulotomy (31.1%), seton removal with sustained biological therapy (26.7%), Anal Fistula Plug (AFP) (17.8%), Over-The Scope-Clip proctology (OTSC) (11.1%), and mucosa advancement flap (4.4%). In 8.9% of cases, the seton was kept as permanent therapy. The time from first to last surgery was 18 (0–182) months and the median follow-up time after the last surgery was 90 (15–200) months. The recurrence rate was 15.5% after 45 (17–111) months. Recurrent fistulas healed after another 1.86 (1–2) surgical re-interventions. The final success rate was 80%. Despite biological treatment, PFCD management remains challenging. However, by repeating minor surgical interventions over a prolonged period of time, high permanent healing rates can be achieved.