Necrotising myositis – learnings for a plastic surgeon

BackgroundNecrotising myositis (NM) is a life-threatening emergency. Prompt treatment is associated with more favourable outcomes, but early diagnosis is challenging. The initial absence of cutaneous signs and symptoms coupled with delayed recognition commonly result in higher rates of morbidity and mortality.ObjectivesAnalyse data regarding demographics, epidemiology, aetiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of previously reported cases. This publication is intended for plastic surgeons in training to help them look out for this disease.Search methods/criteriaPublications reporting necrotising myositis between 1974 to January 2020 were identified from Embase, Medline All, Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial.Data collection and analysis: Identified studies were exported to an end note library. In animal studies, studies relating to statin-induced myotoxicity and auto-immune myositis were excluded. The quality of included case reports was assessed using JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Reports.Main resultsThe most common initial presentation was a few days of antecedent prodromal flu-like symptoms associated with muscle pain. The mean age was 43.3 years and 82% had no significant medical history. The most frequent misdiagnoses were muscle strain (11%), deep vein thrombosis (10%) and viral illness (9%). Seventy-four per cent of presentations were due to Group A Streptococcus infections and only 3.5% of cases were polymicrobial. The most common clinical course following the initial presentation was rapid deterioration into profound sepsis and progression into multi-organ failure. The overall mortality rate was 36.5%.ConclusionsNM is a life-threatening muscle infection. It is a diagnostic conundrum as initial presentation is often only myalgia without features of preceding trauma. We propose that a high index of suspicion and increased awareness will reduce morbidity.OtherPROSPERO (registration number CRD42018087060). Nil funding/conflict of interest.     

Direct and reversed dorsal digital island flaps: A review of 65 cases

BackgroundReconstruction of soft tissue defects in fingers continues to be a challenging problem. The purpose of this study is to report the reconstruction of small-to-moderate defects of fingers with dorsal digital island flap (DDIF) and to evaluate the efficacy of use of the flap.MethodsOver last six years, a retrospective study was conducted with 65 patients who had soft tissue defects of fingers treated with the DDIF. Sixty-nine soft-tissue defects were found in 69 fingers in 65 patients. Based on the flow direction of blood supply, the patients were divided into two groups: the direct (n = 35) and reversed (n = 30) DDIF groups. In addition, based on the different donor sites, the direct DDIF group was divided into two subgroups: the proximal phalangeal direct DDIF subgroup (n = 16) and the extended pedicle direct DDIF subgroup (n = 19). The main outcomes were static 2-point discrimination and Semmes–Weinstein monofilament scores of flap and joint motion.ResultsAt the final follow-up, the mean static two-point discrimination of the flaps was 9.7 mm (range, 8 to 12 mm) in the proximal phalangeal direct DDIF subgroup and 8.3 mm (range, 7 to 11 mm) in the extended pedicle direct DDIF subgroup, with a significant difference (p = 0.005). In the direct DDIF group, there was no significant difference in total active motion between the donor fingers and the opposite sides. In the reversed DDIF group, the mean total active motion of the donor fingers was 170° and the data of the opposite sides was 181°, with a significant difference (p = 0.024). Maximum amplitude losses of 15° were seen in 12% of patients in the distal interphalangeal joint.ConclusionsThe DDIF is reliable and technically easy for reconstructing small-to-moderate defects of fingers. The extended pedicle direct DDIF may be an optional solution when sensory reconstruction is needed.     

Leaving the perfusion zones? Individualized flap design in 100 free DIEP and ms-TRAM flaps for autologous breast reconstruction using indocyanine green angiography

BackgroundThere is still no consensus regarding the ideal zoning in abdominal-based autologous breast reconstruction using free DIEP or ms-TRAM flaps. In particular, the perfusion pattern of the flap according to the number of perforators used and their location remains controversial. In this study, the perfusion of free DIEP and ms-TRAM flaps is assessed intraoperatively and analyzed with regard to different perfusion patterns.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 100 free flaps for breast reconstruction was performed. Following complete flap harvest, we used indocyanine green angiography for perfusion analysis. By applying two different contour levels, DIEP flaps with lateral or medial perforators and ms-TRAM flaps were assessed for their respective perfusion patterns.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were found in the size of the perfusion area between the different flap types when applying the contour level of 20% (p >0.05). For the contour level of 30%, however, statistically significant differences were found between DIEP flaps with medially or laterally located perforators (p = 0.038). Laterally or medially located perforators in DIEP flaps showed no significant differences in their ability to cross the midline (contour level 20%, p = 0.068; contour level 30%, p = 0.058).ConclusionConsidering the variability of the perfusion of the abdominal wall and the high sensitivity of indocyanine green angiography for their detection, the abdominal zonings play a minor role. By using intraoperative indocyanine green angiography, a precise and patient-specific free flap surgery for autologous breast reconstruction is possible independent of perforator location.     

The Influence of Diabetes,Hypertension, and Hyperlipidemia on the Onset of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in North China: The Kailuan Eye Study

ObjectiveTo analyze the prevalence of dry and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients with diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and to analyze the risk factors for AMD.MethodsA population-based cross-sectional epidemiologic study was conducted involving 14,440 individuals. We assessed the prevalence of dry and wet AMD in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects and analyzed the risk factors for AMD.ResultsThe prevalence of wet AMD in diabetic and non-diabetic patients was 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively, and the prevalence of dry AMD was 17% and 16.4%, respectively. The prevalence of wet AMD in healthy, hypertensive, hyperlipidemic, and hypertensive/hyperlipidemic populations was 0.5%, 0.3%, 0.2%, and 0.7%, respectively. The prevalence of dry AMD in healthy, hypertensive, hyperlipidemic, and hypertensive/hyperlipidemic populations was 16.6%, 16.2%, 15.2%, and 17.2%, respectively. Age, sex, body mass index, and use of hypoglycemic drugs or lowering blood pressure drugs were corrected in the risk factor analysis of AMD. Diabetes, diabetes/hypertension, diabetes/hyperlipidemia, and diabetes/hypertension/hyperlipidemia were analyzed. None of the factors analyzed in the current study increased the risk for the onset of AMD.ConclusionThere was no significant difference in the prevalence of wet and dry AMD among diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of wet and dry AMD among subjects with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Diabetes co-existing with hypertension and hyperlipidemia were not shown to be risk factors for the onset of dry AMD.     

经伤椎椎弓根复位植骨内固定术治疗胸腰椎陈旧性骨折

目的  探讨经伤椎椎弓根复位植骨结合后路内固定术治疗胸腰椎陈旧性骨折的临床疗效。方法  选择2013年1月-2014年6月河北省唐山市第二医院脊柱外科28例胸腰椎陈旧性骨折患者（伤后3～5周）。采用经伤椎椎弓根复位加椎体内植骨并后路椎弓根钉内固定治疗。观察术前、术后1周和术后3个月椎体高度压缩率、伤椎Cobb角、ODI评分及椎管侵占率等,并进行比较分析。结果  28例患者均成功实施手术并获随访,时间6～18（10.6±4.8）个月。伤椎高度矫正率约93%,椎体高度压缩率、伤椎Cobb角、ODI评分及椎管侵占率较术前均有明显改善。术前与术后1周及术后3个月比较差异有统计学意义（P <0.05）;除ODI评分外,术后1个周与术后3个月比较差异无统计学意义（P >0.05）。无内固定松动、断裂及神经损伤等并发症发生,植骨未吸收。结论  经伤椎椎弓根复位加椎体内植骨并后路椎弓根钉内固定对于治疗胸腰椎陈旧性骨折,可增加前柱支撑,减少椎体高度丢失,疗效满意。

     

Evaluation of patients with pathological fractures treated by standard trauma principles but neglecting the underlying malign bone disease

IntroductionThere are several studies in the literature about pathological fractures but almost no information about patients whose pathological fracture caused by a malignant lesion misdiagnosed and treated as a simple fracture. The aim of this study was to investigate patient and fracture characteristics, and outcomes in cases where fractures occurred in the presence of a malign pathology but were treated as simple fractures.Patients and MethodsCases of malign bone lesions between 2000 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a final diagnosis of malign bone lesion but whose pathological fractures were treated ignoring the underlying malign bone disease were included. Demographic, clinical and outcome data were collected from patient's medical records and analyzed.ResultsSix patients met the inclusion criteria. Three of the patients were female and the cohort mean age was 56.8 ± 21.8 years at the time of admission. Patient diagnoses were: renal cell carcinoma metastasis (n = 1); colon cancer metastasis (n = 1); chondrosarcoma (n = 2); osteosarcoma (n = 1); and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone (n = 1). In all cases surgical management differed from those that should have been applied if the pathological fracture had been identified. Furthermore, surgical management after definitive histological diagnosis were more aggressive compared to if the malignancy had been identified at first admission. All patients died after a mean follow-up of 16.67 ± 11.7 months and the complication rate was 100%.ConclusionWhen a pathological fracture is misdiagnosed and managed as a simple bone fracture, outcomes are extremely poor. In these situations, remedial surgery is more extensive, with increased complication rates and there is poor life expectancy.     

全关节镜下肩袖修补术对老年肩袖损伤患者术后72 h内疼痛程度和并发症的影响

目的:分析全关节镜下肩袖修补术与小切口肩袖修补术对老年肩袖损伤患者的临床效果。方法:选取2017年1月至2018年11月收治的60例老年肩袖损伤患者作为研究对象,男37例,女23例;年龄61~77(63.45±12.34)岁;病程6~12(5.32±1.02)个月;左侧29例,右侧31例。其中,行全关节镜下肩袖修补术者30例,为观察组;行小切口肩袖修补术者30例,为对照组。观察并记录两组患者术前术后美国加州大学肩关节评分系统(University of California,Los Angeles,UCLA)评分,美国肩肘外科协会(American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons,ASES)评分,Constant-Murley评分,肩关节前屈活动度、外旋活动度、外展活动度,术后72 h内视觉模拟疼痛评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)及并发症发生情况,然后进行对比分析。结果:两组患者术后UCLA评分、ASES评分、Constant-Murley评分较术前均显著提高(P<0.05),两组术后UCLA、ASES、Constant-Murley评分相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组患者术后肩关节前屈活动度、外旋活动度、外展活动度较术前均显著增加(P<0.05),术后两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);观察组术后24、48、72 h VAS低于对照组(P<0.05);观察组并发症总发生率13.33%(4/30)低于对照组33.33%(10/30)(P<0.05)。结论:全关节镜下肩袖修补术和小切口肩袖修补术均可以改善老年肩袖损伤后的肩部功能,但全关节镜下肩袖修补术后72 h内疼痛程度和并发症均明显优于小切口肩袖修补术,可根据患者临床实际情况与需求进行选择。