Colostomy wound closure

The management of the wound at the time of colostomy closure has been controversial, and wound infection is a frequently cited complication of this procedure. We have conducted a prospective randomized study of colostomy wound closure in 105 patients with three study groups: (1) primary closure (n = 38); (2) primary closure with subcutaneous drains (n = 29); and (3) delayed primary closure (n = 38). All patients had mechanical bowel preparation with whole gut lavage as well as oral neomycin sulfate/erythromycin estolate and perioperative parenteral cefazolin sodium (Ancef). Five wound infections (4.8%) occurred. Three infections were in the delayed primary closure group and one infection in each of the other two study groups. No statistical difference in wound infection was demonstrated. On the basis of the findings in this study, we would not recommend delayed primary closure for the management of colostomy closure wounds when careful mechanical and antibiotic preparation has been utilized.     

An improvised mould for vaginoplasty

The use of a simple, improvised mould for vaginoplasty is described. It is made of rubber foam rolled over a winged infusion cannula and covered over by condoms. It offers a number of advantages over conventional moulds, the main ones being its simplicity of construction and its ease of application and removal from the neo-vagina.     

Improving vacuum-assisted closure of widely open abdomens with improvised elastic sutures

Widely dehisced abdominal wounds present as challenging surgical cases often incurring multiple complications such as bowel desiccation, perforation, and enterocutaneous fistula [1], equating a mortality of 25% [2]. With the extensive usage of topical negative pressure dressings, these complications have reduced. However these abdomens are now presenting as open wounds with incarcerated edges, necessitating skin grafting on bowel. We present an effective approach to the closure of open abdomens using a combination of topical negative pressure and elastic sutures improvised from silicone tubing. The elastic sutures stretch the skin and prevent wound edges from bedding down prematurely, thereby allowing primary closure.     

Burn wound coverage and burn wound closure

Early excision and grafting changed dramatically topical wound treatment, but are restricted by difficulty in diagnosing burn depth, by limited donor sites and by technical skills to excise special areas (perineum, face). In addition to the extent of burn and the age of the patient the depth is determinant of mortality, morbidity and of patient's quality of life. It results from the time-temperature relation and is further influenced by local and systemic causes of conversion: dehydration, edema, infection and shock hypoxia, metabolic derangements, peripheral vessels diseases may contribute do deepening of burn wound. Superficial burn on day one appears deep dermal by day three, where spontaneous epithelization lasts much longer than 21 days and results in hypertrophic scarring. To prevent this sequelae deep dermal burn may be treated like full-thickness injury with excision and autografting. Another way is removal of dead layers of corium and using biological or synthetic cover. We have found a more effective way to reach wound closure (not only cover) in the method of "upside-down" application of recombined human/pig skin (RHPS), composed of allogeneic human keratinocytes cultured on cell-free pig dermis. The allogeneic epidermal cells temporarily "take", "close" the excised wound and simultaneously encourage epithelization from adnexa remnants in the wound bed. Thus definitive closure is achieved.     

Use of dynamic wound closure system in conjunction with vacuum-assisted closure therapy in delayed closure of open abdomen

Aim

Definitive abdominal closure may not be possible for several days or weeks after laparotomy in damage-control surgery, abdominal compartment syndrome and intraabdominal sepsis, until the patient has stabilized. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC therapy^®, KCI, San Antonio, TX, USA) and abdominal re-approximation anchor system (ABRA, Canica, Almonte, Ontario, Canada) are novel techniques in delayed closure of open abdomen. Our aim is to present the use of these strategies in the management of 7 patients with open abdomen.

Methods

Between August 2010 and December 2011, 7 patients with severe peritonitis were stabilized by laparotomy and treated with either ABRA system or ABRA system in conjunction with VAC dressing. VAC dressing applied to 4 patients initially and followed by ABRA. ABRA was applied alone to remaining 3 patients. Demographic data and patient characteristics, timing of VAC dressing and ABRA system were recorded. ICU and hospital stay and development of incisional hernia were also recorded. Stage of open abdomen, width of abdominal defect, extent to damage to fascia, and pressure sores were staged.

Results

The mean duration with VAC dressing before ABRA application was 18 days. The mean duration of ABRA application was 53 days. The average width of the abdominal defect was 18 cm. The average length of defect was 20.8 cm. Delayed primary abdominal closure was accomplished in 6 patients without further surgery. Incisional hernia with a small abdominal defect developed in 2 patients.

Conclusion

Abdominal re-approximation anchor system and VAC dressing can be used separately or in conjunction with each other for closure of delayed open abdomen successfully.     

Economic comparison of methods of wound closure: wound closure strips vs. sutures and wound adhesives

Our objective was to review and assess the treatment of low-tension wounds and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of wound closure methods. We used a health economic model to estimate cost/closure of adhesive wound closure strips, tissue adhesives and sutures. The model incorporated cost-driving variables: application time, costs and the likelihood and costs of dehiscence and infection. The model was populated with variable estimates derived from the literature. Cost estimates and cosmetic results were compared. Parameter values were estimated using national healthcare and labour statistics. Sensitivity analyses were used to verify the results. Our analysis suggests that adhesive wound closure strips had the lowest average cost per laceration ($7.54), the lowest cost per infected laceration ($53.40) and the lowest cost per laceration with dehiscence ($25.40). The costs for sutures were $24.11, $69.91 and $41.91, respectively; the costs for tissue adhesives were $28.77, $74.68 and $46.68, respectively. The cosmetic outcome for all three treatments was equivalent. We conclude adhesive wound closure strips were both a cost-saving and a cost-effective alternative to sutures and tissue adhesives in the closure of low-tension lacerations.     

Vacuum-assisted wound closure in postoperative spinal wound infection

Combined with antibiotic therapy, vacuum-assisted wound closure may help reduce the need for serial irrigation and debridement surgery, contributing to a decrease in overall hospital stay.     

Vacuum-assisted closure: a low-cost negative pressure system for wound management

Negative pressure dressings are helpful for humanitarian surgery for healing infected and late-treated large wounds and also wounds with large loss of skin. However, specific commercial device has high costs that are prohibitive for precarious surgery with limited funds and an austere environment. Our idea is to make a negative pressure dressing using only low-cost and non-specific surgical devices. We describe a technical device of negative pressure in which only low-cost disposable medical equipments were used. The vacuum comes from a surgical room electric pump or from a single-use suction canister. Our successful experience suggests that this low-cost alternative method of negative pressure dressing can be safely used in countries with limited health care systems.     

Skin incisions and wound closure

The siting of an incision and the choice of wound closure may have profound effects upon the success of an operation and the patients lasting perception of their surgeon. This article discusses site and method of skin incision, access to the abdominal cavity, wound healing, choice of sutures and needles, suture techniques, fascial and skin closure techniques and difficult wound closure. With this information the reader should be able to make a tailored decision about incision and closure technique to achieve the best outcome for the patient.     

New techniques in wound management: vacuum-assisted wound closure

Vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC) is a wound management technique that exposes the wound bed to negative pressure by way of a closed system. Edema fluid is removed from the extravascular space, thus eliminating an extrinsic cause of microcirculatory embarrassment and improving blood supply during this phase of inflammation. In addition, the mechanical tension from the vacuum may directly stimulate cellular proliferation of reparative granulation tissue. Orthopaedic indications for VAC include traumatic wounds after débridement, infection after débridement, and fasciotomy wounds for compartment syndrome. VAC also can be used as a dressing for anchoring an applied split-thickness skin graft. The technique is contraindicated in patients with thin, easily bruised or abraded skin; those with neoplasm as part of the wound floor; and those with allergic reactions to any of the components that contact the skin. Clinical experience with the technique has resulted in a low incidence of minor, reversible irritation to surrounding skin and no major complications. Further experience is required, as well as clinical and basic research, to define optimal indications and benefits compared with traditional methods of wound management.