Piezosurgery – A novel tool in modern dentistry

Dentistry has undergone significant improvement with a lot of changing concepts involving novel surgical tools over the past two decades. Piezoelectric surgery, also popularly called as piezosurgery (PS), is a rapidly evolving technique of bone surgery which is gaining importance because of its ability to place osteotomy cuts with absolute precision and confidence, especially near the vital structures. Piezosurgical device functions with an ultrasonic frequency (25–29 KHz) resulting in microvibrations in the range of 60–200 µm/s enabling bone cutting that is secured and accurate preserving the underlying neurovascular elements along with improved visibility through bloodless surgical site and thorough debridement using internal irrigation system. Till date, PS has seen wide applications in various disciplines of medicine. In the field of dentistry, PS has emerged as a promising technical modality in bone graft harvesting, alveolar ridge expansion, sinus lift procedures, osteogenic distraction, and endodontic and periodontal surgeries. The present review addresses the efficiency of PS comparing it with the traditional dental surgical equipment. The advantages, limitations, and biological effects of PS as well its various applications in dentistry have also been discussed.

IMPALEMENT OF AN UNUSUAL FOREIGN BODY IN THE LEG – A CASE REPORT

Foreign body penetration is not uncommon and may be glass, shrapnel, needles, etc. and may occur in almost any part of the body. Impalement injury is when a blunt force causes a long object to penetrate a body part resulting in retention of the object in situ. The management following foreign body penetration includes tetanus prophylaxis, parenteral antibiotic cover and removal of the foreign body in the theatre with exploration for neurovascular injury, thorough debridement and repair of any damaged tissue. Here, we report a case of an industrial foreign body that impaled a middle aged male while at work in the left leg which was carefully removed under anaesthesia with no post-operative complications.

Antibiotic-Impregnated Calcium Sulfate vs. Wound Irrigation-Suction to Treat Chronic Calcaneal Osteomyelitis

Background: Chronic osteomyelitis of calcaneus is not rare but is very hard to treat. Irrigation-suction and antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate following debridement are commonly used in managing chronic osteomyelitis, but their effects have rarely been compared. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate with irrigation-suction in the treatment of patients with chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis. Methods: From January 2011 to June 2018, adult patients at our institute with chronic osteomyelitis receiving treatment of either antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate (CS group) or irrigation-suction (IS group) following thorough debridement were screened and selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The clinical presentation, laboratory tests, complications, and the ultimate single-staged cure rate and recurrence were compared. Results: A total of 61 patients, including 41 in the CS group and 20 in the IS group, were included in our study. Of the patients, 85.4% in the CS group and 60.0% in the IS group ( P = .006) were successfully cured in the single stage, respectively, without infection recurrence. Lower infection recurrence rates with shorter hospital stay were found in the CS group than the IS group. Inflammatory biomarkers after surgery with both treatments were slightly decreased and not significantly different from preoperative or between-groups postoperative. Exudate from incision was found primarily in the CS group. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that both antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and irrigation-suction after careful and thorough surgical debridement are generally effective in treating chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis. Antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate achieved a higher single-staged cure rate but was associated with an increased postoperative wound exudate. Level of Evidence: III, retrospective cohort study.

Mycotic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Patient With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case of Critical Antinomy

Mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysms are rare but life-threatening, and no standard therapy has yet been established. Effective surgery with intensive antimicrobial therapy is crucial; however, this can be fatal in immunocompromised patients. Only a few reports of mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm with concomitant autoimmune disease exist; therefore, we were concerned about our lack of experience and knowledge about appropriate treatment. We report a 69-year-old male with a mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm secondary to septic shock after spinal fusion surgery. He had also been on long-term oral immunosuppressants for systemic lupus erythematosus. After preoperative cephazolin, we performed debridement of infected tissue, graft replacement with a rifampicin-bonded prosthesis, and omentopexy. On the 52nd postoperative day, he was transferred back to the previous attending hospital under oral antibiotics and prednisolone. Mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus should be treated with in situ replacement using an antimicrobial prosthetic or biological graft with thorough debridement and omentopexy, followed by antimicrobials and immunosuppressants, as needed.

Therapeutic principles in upper limb trauma

Upper limb trauma cases vary from simple to high energy impactful injuries, with different etiologies; situations which frequently require unique, demanding and challenging endeavors in order to obtain the most favorable outcome. Experience, good decision-making and knowledge of functional goals are mandatory in order to elaborate a therapeutic plan and execute it accordingly. Although cases differ in nature and prognosis, respecting a set of therapeutic principles whilst dealing with either simple or complex cases, will enhance patient outcome and give the surgeon the confidence to tackle any kind of upper limb trauma. After clearing out vital threat, the emergency surgery represents the first threshold in achieving and restoring normal function and biomechanics, mostly in young and labor active patients, with the mindset to salvage as much tissue as possible, with a thorough debridement and step-by-step approach to different types of tissues. Secondary surgery and reconstructive surgery can be planned timely, with prior discussion with both the therapist and the patient in order to enhance patient’s upper limb function and aesthetic and ensure social reintegration.

Antibiotic calcium sulfate-loaded hybrid transport versus traditional Ilizarov bone transport in the treatment of large tibial defects after trauma

Background The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical effects of antibiotic calcium sulfate-loaded hybrid transport (ACSLHT) and traditional Ilizarov bone transport (TIBT) in the treatment of large tibial defects after trauma. Methods Eighty-five patients with large tibial defects after trauma were selected for retrospective study. The range of tibial defects was 6–22 cm. After thorough debridement and infection controlled, bone transport technique was used to reconstruct tibial defects. Forty-four patients were treated with ACSLHT technique (the ACSLHT group), while the other 41 were treated with TIBT technique (the TIBT group). Time in external fixator was evaluated by EFI score. Enneking score was used to evaluate limb functions. SAS score was used to evaluate postoperative anxiety status. In addition, complication incidence was compared, including axis deviation, docking site nonunion, infection recurrence and so on. Results There was no significant difference in preoperative general data between ACSLHT and TIBT group. EFI score in ACSLHT and TIBT group was 0.6 ± 0.1 cm/month and 1.7 ± 0.3 cm/month, respectively (P < 0.05). Enneking score of ACSLHT and TIBT group was 86.5% and 75.1% (P < 0.05). SAS score of ACSLHT group was significantly lower than that of TIBT group (P < 0.05). Complication incidence in ACSLHT group was significantly lower than that in TIBT group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Compared with TIBT group, ACSLHT group had shorter time in external fixator, better limb functions, lower postoperative anxiety score and lower complication incidence which is worth of clinical promotion.

TOTAL PENILE DEGLOVING INJURY RESURFACED WITH A SPLIT SKIN GRAFT – A CASE REPORT

Degloving injuries of the penis are a rare occurrence often requiring reconstruction. They are usually caused by industrial or agricultural machinery and tend to involve both the penile shaft and the scrotal skin with young adults being the usual victims. A penile degloving usually begins just proximal of the coronal line and progress down to the base of the shaft. Deep erectile tissue and the spermatic cord are usually undamaged and the endogenous skin of glans usually survives. The management requires thorough debridement and resurfacing the raw area by either using the degloved skin as a ap or a free skin graft, or by using a split skin or a full thickness skin graft. Here, we report a case of a total penile skin degloving managed with a split skin graft with satisfactory cosmetic result.

Extensive post-covid mucormycosis salvaged by old fashioned negative pressure wound therapy

Mucormycosis represents a group of life threatenening infections caused by fungi of the order Mucorales. Mucorales are ubiquitous environmental fungi that grow well in moist and damp conditions. They can invade arteries to cause thrombosis and infarction. These fungi cause infection primarily in patients with diabetes, neutropenia, elevated levels of free iron and those who are on glucocorticoid therapy, which supports fungal growth in serum and tissues. Recently the incidence of mucormycosis was found to have increased in patients previously infected with coronavirus (COVID-19). Here we presented a 52 year old lady who was previously infected by coronavirus, was administered glucocorticoids as a part of empirical treatment for COVID-19 pnemonitis. She recovered uneventfully within a few days, but, around a month later presented with erythematous papule over the anterior chest wall. The papule developed into a large fungating ulcer over a period of 10 days. KOH mount and culture confirmed it to be mucormycosis. Cutaneous mucormycosis can be highly invasive, penetrating into muscle, fascia and even bone. These are molds that grow well in moist and damp conditions. But depriving them of moisture and oxygen can help control their spread. This could be achieved by thorough debridement and applying negative pressure to the wound. The results achieved are remarkable and satisfactory.

Simultaneous Volar Pulp and Nail Bed Reconstruction with the Second Toe Onychocutaneous Free Flap

Fingertip injury is one of the most common hand injuries. Although several types of advancement and cross-finger flaps exist, they would not be essential for nail bed defects. The authors present a simultaneous volar pulp and nail bed reconstructive technique that uses a second toe onychocutaneous free flap. Four patients without amputees underwent fingertip amputation reconstruction between 2011 and 2019. After thorough debridement, the defect size was estimated, and the digital arteries, nerves, and veins of the recipient were evaluated. The flap, composed of pulp tissue and nail bed, was harvested with continuity from the second toe. Additional split-thickness skin grafts were performed in two cases. All flaps survived without considerable complications. We evaluated the scar and contour, and nail growth was reported over Zook’s criteria grade B. The second toe onychocutaneous free flap provides a reliable option for fingertip defects that involve pulp tissue and nail bed without further amputation.

Does the Duration of Primary and First Revision Surgery Influence the Probability of First and Subsequent Implant Failures after Extremity Sarcoma Resection and Megaprosthetic Reconstruction?

Complications in megaprosthetic reconstruction following sarcoma resection are quite common. While several risk factors for failure have been explored, there is a scarcity of studies investigating the effect of the duration of surgery. We performed a retrospective study of 568 sarcoma patients that underwent megaprosthetic reconstruction between 1993 and 2015. Differences in the length of surgery and implant survival were assessed with the Kaplan–Meier method, the log-rank test and multivariate Cox regressions using an optimal cut-off value determined by receiver operating curves analysis using Youden’s index. 230 patients developed a first and 112 patients a subsequent prosthetic failure. The median duration of initial surgery was 210 min. Patients who developed a first failure had a longer duration of the initial surgery (225 vs. 205 min, p = 0.0001). There were no differences in the probability of infection between patients with longer and shorter duration of initial surgery (12% vs. 13% at 5 years, p = 0.492); however, the probability of mechanical failure was higher in patients with longer initial surgery (38% vs. 23% at 5 years, p = 0.006). The median length of revision surgery for the first megaprosthetic failure was 101 min. Patients who underwent first revision for infection and did not develop a second failure had a longer median duration of the first revision surgery (150 min vs. 120 min, p = 0.016). A shorter length of the initial surgery appears beneficial, however, the notion that longer operating time increases the risk of deep infection could not be reproduced in our study. In revision surgery for infection, a longer operating time, possibly indicating a more thorough debridement, appears to be associated with a lower risk for subsequent revision.