Negative pressure wound therapy with Bio-Dome dressing technology in the treatment of complex wounds: a case series

The treatment of complex wounds is difficult and not always effective. Various treatment options are used with varying degrees of success. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a cost-efficient and effective way to help treat these wounds. The use of a vacuum device applies the negative pressure to the site of the wound and promotes waste removal and increases circulation and tissue formation. While various NPWT systems are currently on the market, we utilised the ConvaTec Engenex® system with Bio-DomeTM technology; however, our case study is not intended to advocate the specific use of this system, but instead focuses on the use of NPWT as a viable option for wound healing. Each of the following case study patients presented with difficult-to-heal wounds that failed traditional therapeutic approaches. Through the use of NPWT, our patients saw major wound size reductions. Each patient exhibited at least a 94% reduction in wound area, wound volume or both.

Selective case study describing the use of Apligraf on necrobiosis lipoidica associated with diabetes

Necrobiosis lipoidica is a rare skin disease characterised by large, well-demarcated, symmetrical plaques with overlying telangiectasias and atrophic, fibrotic features. The disease is associated with diabetes mellitus (1 in 300 cases), but can also be linked to other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Women are three times more likely to develop necrobiosis lipoidica compared to men. Ulcerations are the most serious type of complications in necrobiosis lipoidica, and they occur most frequently on the legs of patients. However, the aetiology of necrobiosis lipoidica still remains unclear. Although many studies have been conducted in order to determine necrobiosis lipoidica's pathophysiology, a clear and definite path to disease has not been recorded. In this case study, a patient with necrobiosis lipoidica that had been refractory to conventional therapy received treatment with Apligraf® bioengineered wound dressings. Apligraf was shown to be effective in managing the patient's multiple hard-to-heal wounds. It was more successful than previous therapies in achieving granulation tissue formation and wound volume reduction, in addition to being a more rapid form of treatment.

Falls from height: injury and mortality

OBJECTIVES

To determine how Injury Severity Score (ISS) and mortality relate to height fallen, and to determine other predictors of mortality including intent and body region injured.

METHODS

A pre-hospital retrospective, observational database study was conducted. Injured or deceased patients following a fall from height (FFH), aged 16 or over, attended to by London Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), between Jan 2008 to July 2009 were included in the study. In addition to the database, HEMS mission 'run sheets' provided further information.

RESULTS

117 (91 males and 26 females) patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 37 years (range 16 - 85). 34/117 (29%) died. The mean ISS was 28.6 (median 17) and the mean height fallen 9.9m (3rd floor). In the group that died the mean height was 16.7m (5th floor). Height fallen was found to be a significant predictor of mortality (p < 0.001), as were injuries to the chest and/or head (p < 0.05). In patients with head and chest injuries, a 50% mortality rate was estimated to occur at falls from 10.5m, compared to 22.4m in those without injuries to head or chest. Deliberate falls were more common amongst females than males (chi-squared test, p = 0.001), were associated with greater ISS (Mann Whitney test, p < 0.001) and were more likely to result in death (chi-squared test, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Height fallen correlates with ISS and is a significant predictor of death. Chest and/or head injuries significantly increased the likelihood of death following a FFH. This information may enhance triage criteria applied to tasking of emergency response vehicles, and strategies in injury prevention. Other potential predictors of mortality were not found to be significant.