The Use of an Innovative Device for Wound Closure after Upper Extremity Fasciotomy

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the Silver Bullet Wound Closure Device (SBWCD, Boehringer Laboratories, Norristown, PA), a new device for delayed primary closure of fasciotomy wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed over a period of 36 months of all patients with an upper extremity fasciotomy that could not be closed primarily. Cases that underwent fasciotomy closure with the SBWCD were separated from the patients that had a split thickness skin graft (STSG). RESULTS: Seven patients had their wound closed with the SBWCD within 10 days (mean of 7.4 days). The seven patients that underwent STSG had their wound closed in an average of 8.4 days. The average number of days between the day of the fasciotomy incision and the date of the placement of the SBWCD was 1.9 days. STSGs were placed on the fasciotomy wounds on an average of 10.3 days after the date of the fasciotomy incision. We found that the SBWCD allowed for starting to approximate the edges of the fasciotomy wound at an earlier time when compare to STSG (2.1 vs 10.3 days). CONCLUSIONS: We feel that the SBWCD as a one-stage procedure provides a consistent and efficacious way to manage upper extremity fasciotomy wounds while minimizing the morbidity associated with STSG. Elimination of a second-stage procedure reduces hospital costs. Our findings may help to inform surgeons about an available alternative when an upper extremity fasciotomy wound is not amenable to primary closure.     

A New Endovascular Radiofrequency Device for Dilatation of Vascular Stenosis in a Rabbit Model

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To investigate the use of a new endovascular radiofrequency (RF) device, the Habib? VesCoag? Catheter, to induce vascular remodeling and dilatation of arterial stenosis in a rabbit model. Materials and Methods: RF was used to induce arterial stenosis in 10 rabbits and this was confirmed by angiography and color Doppler ultrasound. Two groups of five animals were then subjected to (1) balloon dilatation of the stenosis (intervention group), (2) no intervention (control group). Two rabbits from each group were sacrificed following the procedures to investigate vessel histopathology. At six weeks, the remaining six rabbits underwent follow-up angiogram and color Doppler ultrasound to assess vessel patency. They were then sacrificed and the vessels prepared for histopathological analysis. Three-dimensional images with confocal microscopy of the arterial lumen were also acquired. Results: In the intervention group, stenosis was reversed and patency confirmed by angiography and color Doppler ultrasound six weeks later in all surviving rabbits. Histopathology revealed degenerative changes of elastic fibers, focal losses of elastica lamella, disorganization of myocytes and extensive hyalinization of the tunica adventitia. Focal elastin changes of the arterial elastic lamella were also shown by three-dimensional confocal microscopy images. Conclusion: We have developed a novel endovascular RF catheter that can be safely and effectively used to induce vascular remodeling and dilatation of arterial stenosis in an experimental rabbit model.     

Comparison of Early and Late Complications after Various Bariatric Procedures: Incidence and Treatment During 15 Years at a Single Institution

Background  

Bariatric procedures are effective in the life-long treatment of clinically severe obesity, but they are technically demanding and have known complications. The present study presents mortality and morbidity with different procedures from the prospective 15-year bariatric database of the University Hospital of Patras in Greece.     

周围血管损伤的急救与显微外科治疗

目的 报道周围血管损伤急救及用显微外科技术修复的临床效果。方法 收治周围血管损伤96例，共146条血管，其中行血管结扎术20例30条血管，应用显微外科技术修复76例116条血管。结果 96例患中68例肢体功能恢复良好，15例因神经功能恢复不全而残留肢体功能障碍，6例出现缺血性肌挛缩，6例截肢，1例死亡。结论 缺血是血管外伤的重要表现，早期诊断、及时血管探查修复是治疗四肢血管损伤的关键；采用显微外科技术修复损伤血管及肢体远端筋膜室切开减压有助于提高疗效。     

Using the Angio-Seal to Achieve Hemostasis in Prosthetic Endovascular Surgery: Report of Three Cases

At least 10% of patients who undergo bilateral aortofemoral bypass are at risk of needing a reoperation for late prosthetic thrombosis because of reduced outflow as the disease progresses. To prevent occlusion of the prostheses, we performed endovascular surgery with transprosthetic access for distal stenosis. We report our experience of using the Angio-Seal with transprosthetic access after angioplasty in three patients who had undergone bilateral aortofemoral bypass. Hemostasis was achieved in all three patients. There were no complications, such as hemorrhage, hematoma, or prosthetic infection, and all three patients were discharged within 24h. At the 12-, 15-, and 24-month follow-up, none of the patients had any sign of recurrent claudication. Using the Angio-Seal in bilateral aortofemoral bypass provided the means of treating distal stenosis by endovascular surgery with transprosthetic access. This method is both rapid and safe, and may broaden the indications for the endovascular treatment of distal arteriopathies in patients with vascular prostheses.     

Closure of the Abdominal Cavity after Severe Peritonitis in Bariatric Surgery Utilizing a Mesh and Plastic Device

The major cause of peritonitis in bariatric surgery is leakage of GI contents, which can have a catastrophic outcome for the bariatric patient. To resolve this serious problem, the surgeon must act quickly. This paper describes a 27-year-old female after gastric bypass with disruption of the gastroenterostomy and severe contamination and peritonitis. Closure of the anastomotic leak, drainage, and gastrostomy in the bypassed stomach were performed, but the abdomen could not be closed, due to dilated bowel and the intra-abdominal edema with the sepsis. Temporary laparostomy closure was performed; a plastic sheet with an overlying mesh was sutured to the fascial margins. Planned multiple reoperations permitted removal of necrotic and infected debris, with progressive approximation and ultimate closure of the fascia. This treatment resulted in a successful outcome for the patient.     

An Audit of Vascular Surgical Intervention for Complications of Cardiovascular Angiography in 2324 Patients from a Single Center

This study examines the incidence and outcome of complications requiring, surgical intervention in a major vascular unit serving interventional radiology and interventional cardiology. Between April 2000 and March 2001, 2324 patients underwent angiographic examinations (male/female = 1579:745, mean age = 68 years, range 45-88). In non-stent patients, a 4-or 5-mm French (4-mm F, 5-mm F) guage nonheparinized arterial catheter was used, and in patients requiring stents a 6- or 7-mm French guage catheter was used. Pressure was applied to the puncture site for up to 6 min. Fifteen complications requiring vascular surgical procedure were recorded during in-hospital follow-up (9 males, 6 females). Our early operative (30-day) mortality rate was 0.086%. Although the number of major complications requiring surgical intervention after interventional or diagnostic cardiovascular radiology is diminishing, vigilance in these cases is still required. Where possible, a small catheter with a J-shaped guidewire should be used and prolonged compression should be brought to bear on the puncture site.     

Epidemiology of Injuries at a Tertiary Care Center in Malawi

Background  Injury surveillance is an ongoing process required for primary, secondary, and tertiary injury prevention. In Malawi, hospital-based injury data are not available. Methods  From February to June 2008 we collected data on injured patients presenting to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. The sample (n = 1,474) was predominantly male (75.7%), and age distribution was bimodal (peak age groups <5 years and 26–30 years). Road-traffic injury (RTI) was the most common reason for treatment (43.4%), followed by assault (24.0%), which was more common than expected. The most common injuries were lacerations, contusions, and abrasions. We observed both gender- and age-specific patterns in injury mechanism: Injured females were more likely than injured males to have suffered an injury as a passenger in a car or on a bicycle, or to have suffered from falls, foreign bodies, and burns; injured males were more likely than injured females to have suffered an injury as an automobile driver or bicyclist, or from an assault. Falls, burns, and foreign bodies affected younger victims, whereas bicyclists, automobile drivers, and motorcycle operators were generally older persons. Results  The hospital admission rate was 26.8%. Most patients arrived by private vehicle (43.8%), which was also the fastest means of transportation. There were 25 mass casualties leading to 102 admissions; all but one were due to RTIs, and seven were associated with at least one fatality. Conclusions  This study elucidated injury epidemiology in Malawi and identified questions for future research. Other developing countries should conduct such prospective data collection to identify region-specific injury patterns and to promote injury prevention.     

COVID-19 Pandemic Effects on the Epidemiology and Mortality of Pediatric Firearm Injuries; A Single Center Study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased firearm injuries amongst adults, though the pandemic's effect on children is less clearly understood.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center and included youths 0–19 years. The trauma registry was retrospectively queried for firearm injuries occurring pre-COVID-19 pandemic (March 2015-February 2020). Baseline data was compared to prospectively collected data occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-March 2022). Fischer's exact, Pearson's Chi-square and/or correlation analysis was used to compare pre and post-COVID-19 firearm injury rates and intent, victim demographics and disposition. Temporal relationships between firearm injury rates and local COVID-19 death rates were also described.Results413 pre-COVID-19 firearm injuries were compared to 259 pandemic firearm injuries. Victims were mostly Black males with a mean age of 13.4 years. Compared to the 5 years pre-pandemic, monthly firearm injury rates increased 51.5% (6.8 vs 10.3 shootings/month), including a significant increase (p = 0.04) in firearm assaults/homicides and a relative decrease in unintentional shootings. Deaths increased 29%, and there were significantly fewer ED discharges and more admissions to OR and/or PICU (p = 0.005). There was a significant increase in Black victims (p = 0.01) and those having Medicaid or self-pay (p<0.001). Firearm injury spikes were noted during or within the 3 months following surges in local COVID-19 death rates.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in the frequency and mortality of pediatric firearm injuries, particularly assaults amongst Black children following surges in COVID death rates. Increased violence-intervention services are needed, particularly amongst marginalized communities.Level of evidenceThis is a prognostic study, evaluating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric firearm injuries, including victim demographics, injury intent and mortality. This study is retrospective and observational, making it Oxford Level III evidence.