Surgical site wound infection and wound pain after video-assisted thoracoscopy in patients with lung cancer: A meta-analysis

A meta-analysis was performed to comprehensively assess the effects of video-assisted thoracoscopy on surgical site wound infection and wound pain in patients with lung cancer. Studies on video-assisted thoracoscopy for lung cancer were collected from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang database, from inception to January 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality of the included studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Thirty-one articles with a total of 3608 patients were included, with 1809 in the video-assisted thoracoscopy group and 1799 in the control group. Compared with the control group, video-assisted thoracoscopy significantly reduced surgical site wound infection (odds ratio: 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14–0.33, P < .001) and surgical site wound pain at postoperative day 1 (standardised mean difference [SMD]: −0.90, 95% CI: −1.17 to −0.64, P < .001) and postoperative day 3 (SMD: −1.59, 95% CI: −2.25 to −0.92, P < .001). Thus, these results showed that video-assisted thoracoscopy may have beneficial outcomes by reducing surgical site wound infection and pain. However, owing to the large variation in sample sizes and some methodological shortcomings, further validation is needed in future studies with higher quality and larger sample sizes.     

Acute management of skin tears: a change in practice pilot study

Skin tears are an increasingly common injury occurring in the elderly population and have significant associated morbidity secondary to poor wound healing, prolonged hospital stays and reduced mobility. There has been a shift in practice for the acute management of skin tears within our institution, which has resulted in improved outcomes and reduced morbidity for this common and debilitating injury. Review of past and current practices including cost analyses has led to the establishment of a management protocol for the hospital and wider area health service with the aim to reduce the burden of disease amongst our ever‐expanding elderly population.     

Wound bed preparation: a systematic approach to wound management

The healing process in acute wounds has been extensively studied and the knowledge derived from these studies has often been extrapolated to the care of chronic wounds, on the assumption that nonhealing chronic wounds were simply aberrations of the normal tissue repair process. However, this approach is less than satisfactory, as the chronic wound healing process differs in many important respects from that seen in acute wounds. In chronic wounds, the orderly sequence of events seen in acute wounds becomes disrupted or "stuck" at one or more of the different stages of wound healing. For the normal repair process to resume, the barrier to healing must be identified and removed through application of the correct techniques. It is important, therefore, to understand the molecular events that are involved in the wound healing process in order to select the most appropriate intervention. Wound bed preparation is the management of a wound in order to accelerate endogenous healing or to facilitate the effectiveness of other therapeutic measures. Experts in wound management consider that wound bed preparation is an important concept with significant potential as an educational tool in wound management.
This article was developed after a meeting of wound healing experts in June 2002 and is intended to provide an overview of the current status, role, and key elements of wound bed preparation. Readers will be able to examine the following issues;
• the current status of wound bed preparation;
• an analysis of the acute and chronic wound environments;
• how wound healing can take place in these environments;
• the role of wound bed preparation in the clinic;
• the clinical and cellular components of the wound bed preparation concept;
• a detailed analysis of the components of wound bed preparation.
(WOUND REP REG 2003;11:1–28)     

Wound bed preparation: a systematic approach to wound management

The healing process in acute wounds has been extensively studied and the knowledge derived from these studies has often been extrapolated to the care of chronic wounds, on the assumption that nonhealing chronic wounds were simply aberrations of the normal tissue repair process. However, this approach is less than satisfactory, as the chronic wound healing process differs in many important respects from that seen in acute wounds. In chronic wounds, the orderly sequence of events seen in acute wounds becomes disrupted or “stuck” at one or more of the different stages of wound healing. For the normal repair process to resume, the barrier to healing must be identified and removed through application of the correct techniques. It is important, therefore, to understand the molecular events that are involved in the wound healing process in order to select the most appropriate intervention. Wound bed preparation is the management of a wound in order to accelerate endogenous healing or to facilitate the effectiveness of other therapeutic measures. Experts in wound management consider that wound bed preparation is an important concept with significant potential as an educational tool in wound management. This article was developed after a meeting of wound healing experts in June 2002 and is intended to provide an overview of the current status, role, and key elements of wound bed preparation. Readers will be able to examine the following issues; ? the current status of wound bed preparation; ? an analysis of the acute and chronic wound environments; ? how wound healing can take place in these environments; ? the role of wound bed preparation in the clinic; ? the clinical and cellular components of the wound bed preparation concept; ? a detailed analysis of the components of wound bed preparation. (WOUND REP REG 2003;11:1–28)     

Pain and trauma in negative pressure wound therapy: a review

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is considered an effective wound treatment, but there are a number of issues that need to be addressed for improvements to be made. This review aimed to explore the literature relating to the pain and skin trauma that may be experienced during NPWT. A literature search was carried out using the following databases: Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, PsychINFO, MEDLINE and PsyARTICLES. A total of 30 articles were reviewed. Studies reported varying levels of pain in patients undergoing NPWT, with certain treatment factors affecting the level of pain, such as the NPWT system and the dressing/filler used. Similarly, although there is much less research exploring NPWT‐related trauma, findings suggest that dressing and filler type may impact on whether trauma occurs. However, further research needs to consider the different stages of NPWT and how pain and trauma can be minimised during the whole procedure. As both pain and skin trauma impact on the patient's well‐being and on wound healing, it is essential that research further explores the factors that may affect the experience of pain and trauma, so as to inform developments in wound care.     

Effect of Wound Closure Technique on Wound Infection in the Morbidly Obese: results of a randomized trial

The effect of suture obliteration of the subcutaneous dead space in morbidly obese abdominal wounds was studied in a randomized trial, comparing a pre-fascial retention suture technique (utilized for approximation of the thick panniculus) to controls where the skin was simply closed with staples. The wound infection rates were similar (11.8% for the sutured group versus 12.3% for controls, p > 0.4), as were the total wound complication rates (26.5% for sutured group versus 21.9% for controls, p > 0.4). Ultrasound study of the wounds closed without suturing the panniculus demonstrated no dead spaces. We conclude that no advantage is to be gained by suturing the subcutaneous fat, however thick. The finding is of general application in wound closures involving thick layers of fat.     

Wound management with vacuum-assisted closure: experience in 51 pediatric patients

Background/Purpose

Soft tissue loss from infectious, vascular, and traumatic disorders often results in poor healing, painful wound care, and the need for repeated operations. This retrospective study evaluates a single-institutional experience with negative pressure therapy (NPT), using the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) device in a group of children with diverse soft tissue problems.

Methods

The medical records of 51 patients treated with NPT from January 2000 to July 2003 were reviewed for demographics, diagnosis, duration of VAC therapy, wound closure, recurrent disease, and complications.

Results

Patients were classified by diagnosis: group 1: pilonidal disease (n = 21, primary = 6 and recurrent = 15); group 2: sacral and extremity ulcers (n = 9); group 3: traumatic soft tissue wounds (n = 9); and group 4: extensive tissue loss (n = 12) from the abdominal wall (n = 7), perineum (n = 2), thigh (n = 2), and axilla (n = 1). Group 1 had an average age of 16 years (range, 10-20 years), 67% were obese, and had an average length of follow-up of 13 months (range, 8-36 months). VAC was placed in the operating room in 95% with subsequent outpatient care that included dressing change 3 times weekly. Healing occurred in all patients with primary disease at an average of 37 days. For patients with recurrent disease, 12 healed at an average of 48 days and 3 developed recurrent sinuses. Group 2 was treated with VAC as a bridge to skin grafting or flap closure. All children in group 3 achieved healing without skin grafting at an average of 10 days and with acceptable cosmesis. Negative pressure therapy in group 4 was the only wound treatment in 10 patients and adjunctive to operative closure in 2. Complications from VAC occurred in 5 patients: retained sponge in 2 and device malfunction in 3.

Conclusions

Negative pressure therapy offers a safe, cost-effective alternative to traditional complex wound care in children. Its advantages are less frequent dressing changes, outpatient management, resumption of daily activities including return to school, and a high degree of patient tolerance.     

Wound management: Investigating the interprofessional decision‐making process

Our aim is to develop a robust socio‐geographical transferable theory outlining the basic social process used by members of an interprofessional health care team when making decisions around wound care management. Using a qualitative multigrounded theory approach, three focus groups were held at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, comprised of 13 clinicians who participate in wound care decision‐making. Data were analysed using an approach developed for multigrounded theory. A Critical Realist theoretical lens was applied to data analysis in the development of conclusions. Ten categories were identified before thematic saturation. Category interactions developed a perceived basic social process outlining how interprofessional clinicians determine how they approach wound care decisions: patient factors, scope of practice, equipment and supplies, internal clinician factors, knowledge and education, interprofessional team, assessment, wound care specialist consultation, and care plan, as well as documentation and communication. Understanding how wound care decision‐making is determined by interprofessional health care providers will assist clinical leaders and policy makers in creating a foundation for determining resource allocation, allowing clinicians to use evidence‐based practice to improve patient and clinician satisfaction, wound healing time, decrease costs, and prevent wound recurrence.     

皮肤软组织扩张术在头皮缺损伴颅骨外露修复中的应用

目的 探讨外伤致大面积头皮缺损后的肉芽组织创面伴颅骨外露的修复方法.方法 对外伤后头皮缺损肉芽组织创面伴颅骨外露8例患者,在形成新鲜肉芽组织创面后于正常头皮帽状腱膜下埋置皮肤软组织扩张器12只,术中以及注水扩张过程中严格无菌操作,适度扩张,保持扩张部位丰富的血液循环.扩张满意后取出皮肤软组织扩张器行扩张后皮瓣修复创面.结果 8例患者均完成头皮缺损创面的修复,扩张器埋置术后以及注水扩张过程中未见感染.结论 皮肤软组织扩张术可以修复外伤头皮缺损后肉芽组织创面伴颅骨外露.     

大面积皮肤软组织缺损伴严重感染创面的修复

目的探讨大面积皮肤软组织缺损感染创面的修复方法。方法对15例大面积皮肤软组织缺损伴创面严重感染的患者,经积极换药后均行两次清创手术,首先采用异体皮片移植暂时覆盖创面,再行自体皮肤移植或皮瓣转移修复创面。结果术后经6个月至4年的随访,自体的皮肤和皮瓣移植后均完全成活,创面修复良好。患者平均住院时间38d。结论两次彻底清创和异体皮片移植暂时覆盖创面是修复大面积皮肤软组织缺损严重感染创面的有效方法,值得推广应用。     

大面积皮肤软组织缺损伴严重感染创面的修复

目的探讨大面积皮肤软组织缺损感染创面的修复方法。方法对15例大面积皮肤软组织缺损伴创面严重感染的患者，经积极换药后均行两次清创手术，首先采用异体皮片移植暂时覆盖创面，再行自体皮肤移植或皮瓣转移修复创面。结果术后经6个月至4年的随访，自体的皮肤和皮瓣移植后均完全成活，创面修复良好。患者平均住院时间38d。结论两次彻底清创和异体皮片移植暂时覆盖创面是修复大面积皮肤软组织缺损严重感染创面的有效方法，值得推广应用。     

Wound management with negative pressure wound therapy in postoperative infection after open reconstruction of chronic Achilles tendon rupture

IntroductionDeep infection after reconstruction of chronic Achilles tendon rupture is a major and intractable complication.Case reportWe report a case of late deep infection following a surgery for chronic Achilles tendon rupture, and its simple and successful treatment with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Six months following the reconstruction of chronic Achilles tendon rupture, a deep infection developed and reconstructed part of the tendon ruptured again. After appropriate debridement.DiscussionThere is no definitive treatment strategy for postoperative infection following open Achilles tendon repair. NPWT was applied to the wound, to promote wound healing and healthy granulation. In our case, NPWT promoted the wound healing and the infected Achilles tendon with tendon loss formed a healthy bridge with granulation tissue spontaneously. The patient resumed her normal activities of daily living, without requiring tendon transfer surgery. NPWT seems to be a simple and successful candidate for this situation.ConclusionNPWT seems to be effective for the treatment of postoperative infection following Achilles tendon repair, even in cases of tendon loss.     

Simplified Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Pediatric Hand Wounds

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is commonly used as a bolster for skin grafts. The technique offers the benefit of negative pressure as well as reduced dressing changes. Skin grafting of the hand provides a unique challenge, and currently, the only commercially available NPWT hand dressings are adult-sized, precluding their use in small children. We present our custom NPWT “mitten” technique for use with skin grafts on the pediatric hand.     

Effect of instant surgery compared with traditional management on paediatric complicated acute appendicitis post-surgery wound: A meta-analysis

A meta-analysis study to assess the influence of instant surgery (IS) compared with conservative therapy (CT) on paediatric complicated acute appendicitis (CAA) post-surgery wounds. A comprehensive literature examination until January 2023 was implemented, and 2098 linked studies were appraised. The picked studies contained 66 674 subjects with paediatric CAA post-surgery wounds in the picked studies' baseline; 64 643 of them were using IS, and 2031 were using CT. The odds ratio (OR) in addition to 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the consequence of the IS compared with the CT on paediatric CAA post-surgery wounds using the dichotomous and continuous styles and a fixed or random model. The IS had a significantly higher wound infection (OR, 4.97; 95% CI, 2.35–10.54, P < .001) with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 57%) compared with the CT in a paediatric CAA post-surgery wound. However, no significant difference was found between IS and CT in total antibiotic duration (MD, −5.34; 95% CI,−12.67 to −1.98, P = .15) with high heterogeneity (I² = 95%) in paediatric CAA post-surgery wounds. The IS had a significantly higher wound infection; however, no significant difference was found in total antibiotic duration compared with the CT in paediatric CAA post-surgery wounds. Although precautions should be taken when commerce with the consequences because most of the studies picked for this meta-analysis had low sample sizes.     

The bolster technique utilising small intestinal submucosa wound matrix: A novel approach to wound treatment

Managing acute wounds with soft tissue loss can be very challenging for both patients and physicians. Successful wound healing depends on several factors including exudate control, prevention of infection, and moisture balance. In this case series, we describe a novel combination treatment method utilising small intestinal submucosa wound matrix (SISWM) with the bolster technique as a way of assisting the integration of collagen‐based wound treatment products into the base of complex wounds with the intent of restoring a dysfunctional extracellular matrix. In case 1, a 44‐year‐old female presented with an acute wound resulting from a spider bite to the posterior aspect of the right knee. In case 2, a 12‐year‐old male sustained multiple injuries to his right foot from an all‐terrain vehicle accident. In case 3, an 80‐year‐old female on anticoagulants sustained an avulsion injury to her left lower leg. In case 4, a 41‐year‐old female sustained a severe complex avulsion injury to the dorsal left forearm sustained from a dog bite. All patients were successfully treated with SISWM and the bolster technique, and their wounds healed completely within 6 weeks. The bolster technique, when combined with an SISWM, is a novel method designed to enable the SISWM to impart its wound healing properties to these complex traumatic wounds. This case series presents treating clinicians with a different treatment methodology to assist the patient in achieving a successful outcome.     

Effect of wound protectors in reducing the incidence of surgical site wound infection in lower gastrointestinal surgery: A meta-analysis

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of wound protectors in reducing the incidence of surgical site wound infection in lower gastrointestinal surgery. A systematic literature search up to June 2022 was performed and 6026 subjects with lower gastrointestinal surgery at the baseline of the studies; 3090 of them were using the wound protector, and 2936 were using no wound protector. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of wound protectors in reducing the incidence of surgical site wound infection in lower gastrointestinal surgery using the dichotomous methods with a random or fixed-effect model. The surgical site wound infection was significantly lower with single-ring wound protectors (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.39-0.83, P = .004), and dual-ring wound protectors (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.35-0.56, P < .001) in subjects with lower gastrointestinal surgery compared with no wound protector. The surgical site wound infection was significantly lower with single-ring wound protectors, and dual-ring wound protectors in subjects with lower gastrointestinal surgery compared with no wound protector. The analysis of outcomes should be with caution because of the low sample size of 5 out of 28 studies in the meta-analysis and a low number of studies in certain comparisons.     

术前应用抗生素对急性阑尾炎术后伤口感染的影响

目的：探讨术前应用抗生素对急性阑尾炎术后伤口感染的影响。方法：收集急性单纯性阑尾炎45例（A组）,急性化脓性阑尾炎63例（B组）,急性坏疽性阑尾炎42例（C组） 以术前0～2h为限分为术前应用组和未应用组,并对两组伤口感染情况进行分析。结果：A组：术前用药29例,未用药16例,伤口感染率分别为0和6.25%,P〉0.1 B组：术前用药33例,未用药30例,伤口感染率分别为3.03%和23.33%,P〈0.025 C组：术前用药27例,未用药15例,伤口感染率分别为11.11%和40%,P〈0.05。结论：急性阑尾炎术前应用抗生素能有效防止术后伤口感染的发生,合理、正确、适时地应用是关键。     

Prospective observational study to assess the need for postoperative antibiotics following surgical incision and drainage of skin and soft tissue abscess in pediatric patients

Background

Post-operative antibiotics are often utilized for skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) requiring surgical incision and drainage (I&D). We propose that antibiotics are unnecessary following I&D.

Effects of negative pressure wound therapy on wound infection and healing in patients with open fracture wounds: A meta-analysis

A meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the impact of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on wound infection and healing in patients with open fracture wounds. Computer searches were performed in EMBASE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the application of NPWT in open fracture wounds, with the search period covering the databases inception to September 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data and conducted quality assessments. Stata 17.0 software was employed for data analysis. Overall, 17 RCTs involving 1814 patients with open fracture wounds were included. The analysis revealed that compared with other treatment methods, NPWT significantly shortened the wound healing time (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −2.86, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: −3.51 to −2.20, p < 0.001) and fracture healing time (SMD = −3.14, 95% CI: −4.49 to −1.79, p < 0.001) in patients with open fracture wounds. It also significantly reduced the incidence of wound infection (odds ratio [OR] = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.23–0.56, p < 0.001) and complications (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.20–0.40, p < 0.001). This study indicates that in the treatment of open fracture wounds, NPWT, compared with conventional treatment methods, can accelerate the healing of wounds and fractures, effectively control infections and reduce the occurrence of complications, demonstrating high safety.