1/17. Operative management and outcome of complex wounds following total knee arthroplasty.This study describes the treatment protocol for and the outcome of the management of complex wounds around total knee replacements. An analysis of 28 patients (29 knees) with complex defects who had surgery between January 1, 1986, and July 30, 1996, was performed. A specific management protocol was applied to each knee on the basis of the size and depth of the wound, the presence of infection, and the quality of soft tissue. Primary treatment included local wound care, debridement, and skin grafting or coverage with a fasciocutaneous flap, pedicled muscle flap, or free muscle transfer. Postoperatively, knees were evaluated using the Knee Society objective score. Successful salvage of the lower extremity was obtained in 28 knees (97 percent) and of the knee prosthesis in 24 of 29 knees (83 percent). Secondary plastic surgery procedures were necessary in five knees (17 percent), and secondary orthopedic procedures were necessary in four knees (14 percent). Successful salvage of total knee arthroplasty in the presence of a complex wound requires early identification of infection, aggressive irrigation and debridement, and early appropriate soft-tissue coverage. The use of our proposed algorithm will facilitate management of these complex wounds.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = complex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/17. Latissimus dorsi pedicle flap for coverage of soft tissue defects about the elbow.Sixteen consecutive patients who were treated with a pedicled latissimus dorsi flap for complex soft tissue defects about the elbow were reviewed. The average defect size was 100 cm2. Thirteen of the 16 patients achieved stable wound healing with a single procedure. Three patients had partial necrosis of the latissimus and required additional coverage procedures. We recommend that the latissimus dorsi flap should not be routinely used to cover defects more than 8 cm distal to the olecranon. The flap should be closely monitored in the first 48 hours, drains should be routinely used at the recipient and donor sites, and the elbow should be maintained in an extended position for the first 5 days after the procedure. The latissimus dorsi flap may also have a prophylactic role in selected patients with compromised soft tissue coverage about the elbow. The pedicled latissimus flap can be performed under loupe magnification and requires no microsurgical skills or equipment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = complex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/17. The interdisciplinary approach to oral, facial and head pain.BACKGROUND: Chronic oral, facial and head pain is a common clinical problem, and appropriate diagnosis and management are a challenge for health care professionals. patients often will first seek the care of dentists because of the pain's localization in the oral cavity and surrounding structures. This article emphasizes the importance of establishing accurate diagnoses and conducting appropriate triage of the patient with complex orofacial pain. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: The authors present two case reports illustrating the complex nature of oral, facial and head pain, and the potential and actual pitfalls in management of this condition. These representative cases demonstrate how orofacial pain--which appears to be localized in the peripheral dental and oral structures--can have extremely complex etiologies involving other anatomical structures, the central nervous system and psychological factors. The reports point to the need for the expertise of a number of specialists in such cases. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: If the symptoms and clinical findings do not appear to be consistent with typical oral disease, or if standard treatments do not alleviate the pain, the dental clinician must consider other, more complex orofacial pain diagnoses. The dental professional should not hesitate to make referrals to key specialists or to members of an interdisciplinary team at a pain treatment center who have the expertise to appropriately diagnose and manage chronic oral, facial and head pain.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = complex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/17. vacuum-assisted wound closure: a new approach to spinal wounds with exposed hardware.STUDY DESIGN: The use of vacuum-assisted therapy to close upper thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal wounds was studied retrospectively. Two patients whose wounds failed conservative management were successfully treated by negative pressure therapy. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated the efficacy of applying vacuum therapy on patients with exposed spinal hardware and summarized current knowledge about this treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: vacuum therapy was applied three times on two patients. methods: Success was defined as a stable, closed wound that required no future surgery and had no signs of chronic infection. RESULTS: Both patients' wounds were closed successfully and have received follow-up treatment for up to 10 months with no sign of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The cases illustrate the usefulness of vacuum-assisted therapy as an adjunct in closing complex back wounds with exposed spinal hardware. In the authors' experience, it helps establish a soft tissue envelope for wound healing and simplifies the need for future surgery.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = complex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/17. Above the knee amputation wound which dehisced following surgery.This case study describes the wound care of Mrs A, a female patient whose above the knee amputation wound dehisced after surgery. The management of this wound was complex and challenging and required that many members of the multidisciplinary team to work together to achieve a satisfactory outcome.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = complex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/17. vacuum-assisted closure in the treatment of complex gynecologic wound failures.BACKGROUND: Complex wound failures are a source of significant morbidity and mortality. They are costly and time consuming to treat, and may evolve into chronic, debilitating conditions. vacuum-assisted closure is a novel wound healing technique applying subatmospheric pressure to wounds to expedite healing. CASES: We report the successful use of vacuum-assisted closure therapy on three patients on a gynecologic oncology service with complex wound failures of various chronicity. In all cases, vacuum-assisted closure therapy was well tolerated and demonstrated efficacy within 48 hours of initiation. CONCLUSION: We conclude that vacuum-assisted closure therapy should be included in the armamentarium of the gynecologist addressing complex wound failures.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.75keywords = complex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/17. Use of adjunctive therapy to heal a diabetic amputation site.Diabetes can result in a range of complications, and is responsible for many lower limb amputations. This case report discusses a diabetic patient with a complex, non-healing wound following amputation of the foot. A number of adjunctive therapies were used to promote healing, and led to the complete healing of the wound.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = complex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/17. Transcatheter closure of a complex postmyocardial infarction ventricular septal defect after surgical patch dehiscence.Ventricular septal defect (VSD) complicating acute myocardial infarction is a rare but serious event carrying a high mortality. Residual shunting after emergency surgical repair is common, adversely affects prognosis and can necessitate reoperation. We describe the successful transcatheter VSD closure with the Amplatzer occluder in a 75-year old man after earlier emergency surgical repair of a VSD complicating an acute myocardial infarction. The technique and positioning of the device in a tortuous infero-apical VSD are described.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = complex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/17. The "fistula VAC," a technique for management of enterocutaneous fistulae arising within the open abdomen: report of 5 cases.BACKGROUND: Management of intestinal fistulae in open abdominal wounds remains a significant clinical challenge for those caring for patients surviving damage control abdominal operations. Breaking the cycle of tissue inflammation, infection, and sepsis, resulting from leakage of enteric contents, should be a major goal in the approach to these complex patients. We describe a technique utilizing vacuum assisted closure (VAC) which achieves control of enteric flow from fistulae in open abdominal wounds. methods: The fistula-VAC is fashioned from standard sponge supplies, negative pressure pumps, and ostomy appliances. The fistula-VAC was changed every three days prior to split thickness skin grafting, and every five days following grafting. RESULTS: Five patients underwent application of the fistula-VAC. All patients had complete diversion of enteric contents. This enteric diversion allowed for successful skin grafting in all patients. CONCLUSION: Application of the fistula-VAC should be considered a useful option in treating patients with intestinal fistulae in open abdominal wounds.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = complex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/17. Colocutaneous fistula management in a dehisced wound: a case study.A fistula is an abnormal opening between two or more organs or structures. Wound drainage containment is a key component of nonsurgical fistula management and may include pouches, skin barriers, transparent dressings, troughing procedures, saddle bagging, bridging, and condom and suction catheters used in combination with complex or routine pouching. Following extensive abdominal surgery, the wound of a 50-year-old woman dehisced and a colocutaneous fistula formed inside the wound. The wound containing the fistula, which was draining liquid stool, was too large for existing commercial pouching systems. When initial management efforts, including negative pressure wound therapy, failed to achieve containment goals, clinicians adapted the negative pressure wound therapy dressing to surround the fistula, which helped facilitate therapy while providing a platform for an ostomy appliance to contain the fistula drainage. The system was changed every 2 days until discharge. The wound and fistula management combination improved patient comfort and mobility, facilitated healing, and reduced patient dietary restrictions.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.125keywords = complex (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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