Vacuum assisted closure therapy for treatment of complex wounds in replanted extremities

Topical Negative Pressure Wound Dressing and Its Applications in the Hand—A Review of the Literature

The use of topical negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become increasingly popular in the management of complex wounds. There are many theories as to the mechanism of action of NPWT, but the essential components of the various systems remain consistent. There are many attractive potential properties of negative pressure dressings that lend themselves to the management of upper limb injuries. This article explores the technique of negative pressure wound dressing, the theories pertaining to mechanism of action, and the increasingly broad indications described for the use of NPWT in the hand. The literature pertaining to the efficacy of NPWT in general is also discussed.

Practical Tips to Improve Efficiency and Success in Upper Limb Replantation

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After reading this article, participant should be able to: 1. Describe the technique of replantation for very distal amputation of the digit and salvage procedures for venous drainage. 2. Perform single-digit replantation after viewing the videos. 3. Recognize appropriate cases for joint salvage techniques in periarticular amputation at each joint of the digit and wrist. 4. Outline the methods of flexor and extensor tendon reconstruction in an avulsed amputation of the digit or thumb. 5. Understand the order of digital replantation and transpositional replantation for a restoration of pinch or grip in multiple-digit amputation.

SUMMARY

This article provides practical tips and caveats for the latest replantation surgical techniques for digit, hand, and upper extremity amputation. Four videos, clinical photographs, and drawings highlight important points of operative technique and outcomes of replantation.

Negative pressure wound therapy as a definitive treatment for upper extremity wound defects: A systematic review

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) represents one of the many solutions for complex wounds of the upper extremity. The goal of this study was to investigate the most common indications for definitive treatment of wound defects in the upper extremity with NPWT and to report revision surgery outcomes after its use. A systematic review of the literature was performed. The following keywords and their combinations were used: "upper extremity," "arm," "forearm," "wrist," "hand," "finger" AND "negative-pressure wound therapy," "VAC therapy," "vacuum assisted closure." A total of 45 articles were included, regrouping 404 cases of NPWT in the upper extremity. The forearm was involved in 53% of cases, followed by hand (36%), fingers (10%), and arm (1%). Seventeen different indications were cited, the most common of which were radial forearm flap reconstruction (23%), burn wounds (18%), and compartment syndromes (17%). Of the cases, 90% did not require any subsequent surgical procedure, as opposed to 6% considered partial failures requiring minor revisions and 4% total failures requiring major revisions. Closure of radial forearm flap donor site required the most revision procedures when treated with NPWT. NPWT can be used for several indications pertaining to the reconstruction of the upper extremity. Positive outcomes as a definitive treatment are demonstrated in this systematic review, which reaffirms NPWT as a potent tool for reconstructive endeavours.

Negative pressure wound therapy promotes vessel destabilization and maturation at various stages of wound healing and thus influences wound prognosis

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been observed to accelerate the wound healing process in humans through promoting angiogenesis. However, the potential biological effect and relevant molecular mechanisms, including microvessel destabilization, regression and endothelial cell proliferation in the early stage (1–3 days), and the neovascular stabilization and maturation in the later stage (7–15 days), have yet to be fully elucidated. The current study aimed to research the potential effect of NPWT on angiogenesis and vessel maturation, and investigate relevant association between mature microvessels and wound prognosis, as well as the regulatory mechanisms in human wound healing. Patients in the present study (n=48) were treated with NPWT or a petrolatum gauze, and relevant growth factors and vessel changes were detected using various experimental methods. NPWT increased the expression levels of angiogenin-2 (Ang-2), and decreased the expression levels of Ang-1 and ratios of Ang-1/Ang-2 in the initial stages of wound healing. However, in the latter stages of wound healing, NPWT increased the expression levels of Ang-1 and ratios of Ang-1/Ang-2, as well as the phosphorylation level of tyrosine kinase receptor-2. Consequently, microvessel pericyte coverage was gradually elevated, and the basement membrane was gradually supplied with new blood at the later stage of wound healing. In conclusion, NPWT may preferentially stimulate microvessel destabilization and regression in the early stage of wound healing, and as a consequence, increase angiogenesis. Subsequently, in the later stage of wound healing, NPWT may preferentially promote microvessel stabilization, thereby promoting microvessel maturation in human wounds through the angiogenin/tyrosine kinase receptor-2 signaling pathway. The results of the present study results demonstrated that NPWT was able to accelerate wound healing speed, and thus influence wound prognosis, as a result of an abundance of mature microvessels in human wounds.

Coverage of supraumbilical abdominal wall defects: The tunnelled-pedicled ALT technique

Abdominal wall defects are a challenge for reconstructive surgeons. Although the utility of anterolateral thigh perforator (ALT) flap has been well established for lower abdominal wall reconstruction, pedicled ALT flap is usually not considered for supraumbilical defects in the most recent algorithms. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a tunneled pedicled ALT flap for reconstruction of supraumbilical defect from a series of patients. From July 2009 to September2014, six patients underwent delayed abdominal wall coverage using pedicled ALT flaps and reinforcement with polypropylene meshes. Defects occurred after surgical complications and abdominal trauma. Flaps were tunneled beneath the rectus femoris and sartorius muscles to increase the pedicle length. The size of the skin islands ranged from 22-29 × 10-14 cm. All flaps survived and the healing of the wounds was successful. Partial dehiscence of donor site occurred in one patient, and small wound dehiscence due to minimal distal necrosis was observed in another patient. No functional problems were reported in donor site, and no complications occurred in 6-68 months of follow-up. The tunneled pedicled ALT flap may provide a reliable alternative method for abdominal wall reconstruction, including supraumbilical defects. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:119-127, 2017.

Is delayed reconstruction using the latissimus dorsi free flap a worthy option in the management of open IIIB tibial fractures?

Early reconstruction of severe open fractures, performed within 7 days of the injury, has a better outcome than closure after 7 days. However, the uncertain demarcation of damaged tissue often results in delayed reconstruction. In this article, we report our surgical outcomes of delayed reconstruction using latissimus dorsi free flap with internal fixation. Twenty-three patients with Gustilo type IIIB open tibial fractures Between March 2009 and May 2012 were included in this study. There were 16 cases of distal 1/3 fracture of the tibia, 4 of midshaft fracture, 1 of proximal 1/3 fracture, and 2 of segmental fracture. Serial debridement with application of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was performed before the final operation. All patients underwent internal fixation of the bone and reconstruction of soft tissue defect using latissimus dorsi free flap. The number of serial debridements, excluding those performed during emergency and finial operation, ranged from 1 to 5 (mean 2.69) times. Mean time from injury to final operation was 10.65 (range, 7-22) days. All flaps survived without complications. Three cases (13%) were infected, and three cases required further bone graft surgery to facilitate bone union (13%). Bone union was achieved after a mean 6.3 (range, 3-12) months. Mean follow-up period was 16.34 (range, 12-26) months. During follow-up, all patients were able to ambulate without use of an aid. In cases of severe open fracture, treatment should emphasize soft tissue coverage rather than rushing to achieve definitive fixation in the setting of poor surrounding tissues. When delayed reconstruction is inevitable, radical debridement is performed first, then NPWT is used as bridging therapy, and free flap could be considered for definite soft tissues coverage. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:453-459, 2016.

Reconstruction of severely infected gluteal osteoradionecrosis using negative-pressure wound therapy and latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps

Radiotherapy is mandatory for aggressive cancer treatment. Unfortunately, the high-energy radiation used can lead to severe osteoradionecrosis. Radical debridement of devitalized bone and soft tissue coupled with reconstruction using well-vascularized tissues is the accepted treatment for this condition. However, osteoradionecrosis cannot be controlled easily or rapidly. The aim of this study was to present the results of the use of serial negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in combination with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap for treatment of gluteal osteoradionecrosis in a consecutive series of patients. Between January 2003 and December 2012, nine patients underwent reconstruction using serial NPWT and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps. We applied negative-pressure dressings for at least 8 weeks. Final reconstruction was performed after the infection was controlled. The superior gluteal artery and vein were used as recipient vessels in all the cases. The mean interval between operation and radiation therapy was 28.3 ± 8.3 years, and the mean number of debridement performed was 6.3 ± 1. NPWT dressings were applied for 8-12 weeks (mean, 9.3 ± 2 weeks). The defects ranged in size from 14 × 8 cm to 18 × 15 cm. The flap size ranged from 15 × 10 cm to 18 × 15 cm. All flaps survived uneventfully except in one patient who experienced chronic seroma and wound dehiscence. There were no recurrences of osteomyelitis during the follow-up periods (mean, 14 ± 6.1 months). Based on the results obtained from this consecutive series of patients, we suggest that this methodology may provide an alternative approach for the treatment of severe osteoradionecrosis of the gluteal region.