Extended negative pressure wound therapy-assisted dermatotraction for the closure of large open fasciotomy wounds in necrotizing fasciitis patients

Effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy in complex surgical treatment of necrotizing fasciitis of the upper limb

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) of the upper extremities is a severe surgical pathology, and the incidence of this disease has been steadily increasing in recent decades. Surgical treatment is accompanied by the formation of extensive wounds, which can be treated with significant difficulties. In recent years, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has proven to be highly effective. It is also promising for the treatment of NF.

AIM

To explore the effectiveness of NPWT in the treatment of NF of the upper extremities.

METHODS

The results of the treatment of 36 patients with NF of the upper extremities in two groups (NPWT group and control group; 2022−2023) were retrospectively analyzed. In the NPWT group, the NPWT method (120 mmHg; constant mode) was used after surgical treatment. The number of vacuum-assisted dressings in patients ranged from 1 to 3, depending on the dynamics of the wound process. The duration of fixation of one bandage was up to 2−3 d. In the control group, conventional methods of local wound treatment were used. The following indicators were analyzed: The treatment delay, the prevalence of inflammation, the microbial landscape, the number of debridements, the duration of wound preparation for surgical closure, and the nature of skin plastic surgery.

RESULTS

Most patients experienced a significant treatment delay [4 d, interquartile range (IQR): 2–7 d], which led to the spread of the pathological process to the forearm and shoulder. The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (14; 38.9%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (22; 61.1%). The average number of debridements per patient was 5 (IQR: 3–7), with no difference between groups. The average time to prepare wounds for surgical closure was 11 ± 4 d in the NPWT group and 29 ± 10 d (P = 0.00001) in the control group. In the NPWT group, the wounds were more often closed with local tissues (15; 83.3%), and in the control group, split-thickness skin grafts were more often used (4; 50%).

CONCLUSION

The predominant isolation of Staphylococcus aureus and/or Streptococcus pyogenes from the lesions allowed us to classify these patients as NF type II. Multiple debridement procedures have become a feature of this disease treatment. The use of NPWT has significantly reduced the time required to prepare wounds for surgical closure. Early closure of wounds allows for more frequent use of local tissue repair, which ensures better results. NPWT is a highly effective way to prepare wounds for early surgical closure in patients with upper extremity NF.

Lower Extremity Traumatic Wound Management: Relative Significance of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Orthopedic Setting

Significance: Lower extremity traumatic wounds are associated with numerous perioperative challenges. Their etiologies determine the characteristics and extent of the injury. The timing of subsequent surgical intervention and wound healing optimization after lower extremity trauma are integral to successful perioperative lower extremity wound management. Recent Advances: Managing trauma to the lower extremities uses a multidisciplinary surgical approach. The objective of this review is to summarize lower limb trauma assessment, advancements in lower extremity trauma management, and the clinical applications of advanced wound care in lower limb traumatic wounds. The advent of lower limb reconstruction and the development of advanced wound care modalities have helped to improve the management of these complex injuries. Critical Issues: The extensive involvement of bone, soft tissues, nerves, and blood vessels of severe lower extremity trauma wounds presents a challenge for clinicians in both the acute care setting and during patient rehabilitation. If not properly managed, these injuries may be subject to a decline in limb function and may possibly result in limb loss. To reveal developing limb-threatening conditions, serial examinations should be performed. Future Directions: The majority of lower limb traumatic wound will benefit from the perioperative administration of an appropriate negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)-based system, which can help to promote granulation tissue and remove wound exudate before definitive closure and/or reconstruction. NPWT should be included as an important adjunct in the surgical management of lower limb traumatic wounds.

Effectiveness and safety of an innovative silicone extender in suture reinforcement or dermatotraction: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Multiple techniques are available for closing skin defects, such as skin grafts, flaps and tissue expansion. The tissue extender MID SEW (MID, France) was developed to achieve dermatotraction or suture reinforcement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this innovative silicone extender for large surgical wounds.

METHOD

A single-centre retrospective and observational study on an unselected consecutive cohort of patients treated with a tissue extender was conducted. Indications, initial and final wound surfaces, and adverse events (AEs) were retrieved from electronic medical records. The main outcome measure was the time to complete wound closure.

RESULTS

We identified 50 patients from July 2017 to December 2018. Patients underwent cutaneous tumour-wide excision (n=44), or pilonidal disease surgical treatment (n=6). The average initial wound area was 53.3±42.4cm2. Healing was complete, without secondary dehiscence, within the first seven days after device withdrawal for 41 patients (82%). At least one AE was experienced by eight patients (16%) during the study period: five inflammation; five wound dehiscence; two skin necrosis; and one pain.

CONCLUSION

This case series suggests that the tissue extender may be effective and safe in its dermatotraction and suture reinforcement indications in the treatment of large wounds after wide excision of skin cancer or treatment of pilonidal disease.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

This work was supported in part by the Hospices Civils de Lyon, France and in part by the University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France. OB co-owns the patent on the MID SEW system. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for the Treatment of Fournier's Gangrene: A Rare Case with Rectal Fistula and Systematic Review of the Literature

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection (NSTI) of the perineal region characterized by high morbidity and mortality even if appropriately treated. The main treatment strategies are surgical debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, NPWT (Negative Pressure Wound Therapy), and plastic surgery reconstruction. We present the case of a 50-year-old woman with an NSTI of the abdomen, pelvis, and perineal region associated with a rectal fistula referred to our department. After surgical debridement and a diverting blow-out colostomy, an NPWT system composed of two sponges connected by a bridge through a rectal fistula was performed. Our target was to obtain healing in a lateral-to-medial direction instead of depth-to-surface to prevent the enlargement of the rectal fistula, promoting granulation tissue growth towards the rectum. This eso-endo-NPWT technique allowed for the primary suture of the perineal wounds bilaterally, simultaneously treating the rectal fistula and the perineum lesions. A systematic review of the literature underlines the spreading of NPWT and its effects.

Principles of Fasciotomy Closure After Compartment Syndrome Release

Acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency in the extremities resulting from increased compartmental pressure, requiring immediate fasciotomy to resolve muscular compromise. As the mainstay treatment, fasciotomies involve substantial skin incisions and are thus prone to complications such as skin necrosis, wound infection, and permanent disability. Multidisciplinary care instituted at the time of fasciotomy can facilitate timely closure and minimize the complication profile. Several approaches are available to enhance outcomes of fasciotomy wounds, and a comprehensive knowledge of these options affords the treating surgeon greater flexibility and confidence in optimal management. Common techniques include early primary closure, gradual approximation, skin grafting, and negative pressure therapy. There is currently no consensus on the best method of closure. The purpose of this study was to review fasciotomy wound management from the time of initial release to final closure. Highlights include preparation for closing these wounds; the various techniques for fasciotomy closure, including adjunct options; evaluation of timing and staging; and injury-specific features, such as fracture management, limited subcutaneous tissues, and hand fasciotomies. Combining the perspectives of orthopaedic and plastic surgery, this review evaluates the benefits of multiple closure methods and highlights the importance of planning closure at the time of release.

Management of Fournier's gangrene during the Covid-19 pandemic era: make a virtue out of necessity

Background

Fournier’s gangrene (FG) is a necrotizing fasciitis caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacterial infection that involves genitalia and perineum. Males, in their 60 s, are more affected with 1.6 new cases/100.000/year. Main risk factors are diabetes, malignancy, inflammatory bowel disease. FG is a potentially lethal disease with a rapid and progressive involvement of subcutaneous and fascial plane. A multimodal approach with surgical debridement, antibiotic therapy, intensive support care, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is often needed.

We present the inpatient management of an FG case during the Covid-19 pandemic period. A narrative review of the Literature searching “Fournier’s gangrene”, “necrotizing fasciitis” on PubMed and Scopus was performed.

Case presentation

A 60 years old man affected by diabetes mellitus, with ileostomy after colectomy for ulcerative colitis, was admitted to our Emergency Department with fever and acute pain, edema, dyschromia of right hemiscrotum, penis, and perineal region. Computed tomography revealed air-gas content and fluid-edematous thickening of these regions. Fournier’s Gangrene Severity Index was 9. A prompt broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy with Piperacillin/Tazobactam, Imipenem and Daptomycin, surgical debridement of genitalia and perineal region with vital tissue exposure, were performed. Bedside daily surgical wound medications with fibrine debridement, normal saline and povidone-iodine solutions irrigation, iodoform and fatty gauze application, were performed until discharge on the 40^th postoperative day. Every 3 days office-based medication with silver dressing, after normal saline and povidone-iodine irrigation and fibrinous tissue debridement, was performed until complete re-epithelialization of the scrotum on the 60^th postoperative day.

Conclusions

FG is burdened by a high mortality rate, up to 30%. In the literature, HBOT could improve wound restoration and disease-specific survival. Unfortunately, in our center, we do not have HBOT. Moreover, one of the pandemic period problems was the patient’s displacement and outpatient hospital management. For all these reasons we decided for a conservative inpatient management. Daily cleaning of the surgical wound allowed to obtain its complete restoration avoiding surgical graft and hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy, without foregoing optimal outcomes.

Severe thoracic pyomyositis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Pyomyositis may mimic deep vein thrombosis and be misdiagnosed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report here on patient with SLE with severe thoracic pyomyositis presented with right upper arm swelling and fever. The patient fully recovered after a serial surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy. Pyomyositis, as well as deep vein thrombosis, should be considered during the differential diagnosis of patients with SLE experiencing fever and unilateral limb oedema. CT and identification of causal pathogens are crucial in the diagnosis of pyomyositis. Early effective antibiotic treatment as well as surgical intervention can together bring about a better outcome.

Simple and Efficient Pressure Ulcer Reconstruction via Primary Closure Combined with Closed-Incision Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (CiNPWT)—Experience of a Single Surgeon

Background: In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of closed-incision negative pressure wound therapy (CiNPWT) when combined with primary closure (PC) in a patient with pressure ulcers, based on one single surgeon’s experience at our medical center. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with stage III or IV pressure ulcers who underwent reconstruction surgery. Patient characteristics, including age, sex, cause and location of defect, comorbidities, lesion size, wound reconstruction methods, operation time, debridement times, application of CiNPWT to reconstructed wounds, duration of hospital stay, and wound complications were analyzed. Results: Operation time (38.16 ± 14.02 vs. 84.73 ± 48.55 min) and duration of hospitalization (36.78 ± 26.92 vs. 56.70 ± 58.43 days) were shorter in the PC + CiNPWT group than in the traditional group. The frequency of debridement (2.13 ± 0.98 vs. 2.76 ± 2.20 times) was also lower in the PC + CiNPWT group than in the traditional group. The average reconstructed wound size did not significantly differ between the groups (63.47 ± 42.70 vs. 62.85 ± 49.94 cm²), and there were no significant differences in wound healing (81.25% vs. 75.38%), minor complications (18.75% vs. 21.54%), major complications (0% vs. 3.85%), or mortality (6.25% vs. 10.00%) between the groups. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that PC combined with CiNPWT represents an alternative reconstruction option for patients with pressure ulcers, especially in those for whom prolonged anesthesia is unsuitable.

Vessel Loop Shoelace Technique followed by Keystone Flap to Treat a Large Mid-back Defect

The keystone design perforator island flap has been gaining popularity for reconstructing large cutaneous defects with sufficient soft tissue laxity. However, for a defect with insufficient local tissue and tense laxity such as upper to mid-back, a single keystone flap may not be so suitable for advancement and mobilization. Instead of an additional flap or double-opposite-designed keystone flaps, we attempted to apply the vessel loop shoelace technique for external expansion before proceeding with only one keystone flap reconstruction for a 15 × 15 cm skin and soft tissue defect on the mid-back. The outcome was a viable flap, with no ischemic flap edge, wound dehiscence, or infection. In our opinion, external expansion with vessel loops followed by a keystone flap might yield fairly good results for the reconstruction of mid-back defects; furthermore, this method may be ideal for defects located in regions lacking sufficient skin laxity.

Multilayer Mattress Stitches for Complicated Wounds in Spine Surgery

Introduction

Local infection and prolonged fluid discharge account for most complications in lumbar spine surgery. This report is a brief description of a useful technique for revision of complicated, draining wounds with surprisingly positive results that otherwise frequently require multiple surgical interventions.

Technical Note

We describe the postoperative course of three patients, with prolonged and continuous serosanguineous discharge from the skin incision, who underwent wound revision with multilayered mattress stitches after open decompressive or instrumented spinal surgery. For this purpose, a thick monofilament suture is passed through the skin, subcutaneous fatty tissue, and paravertebral muscle in the fashion of a vertical mattress stitch while the loop above the skin level is augmented using a soft silicone capillary drainage to distribute tension along the wound margin.

Conclusions

None of the patients treated with the multilayered mattress stitches required further surgical intervention. In this small case series, the multilayered mattress stitches augmented with soft silicone tubing were a useful technique for treating complicated lumbar surgical wounds with prolonged serosanguineous discharge.

Current management of necrotizing soft-tissue infections

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of the article is to present recent epidemiological, microbiological, and clinical data for the surgical, antimicrobial, and adjunctive management of necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTI).

RECENT FINDINGS

NSTI can be caused by a broad variety of organisms. Reports about NSTI caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria are increasing. Owing to the rareness of NSTI, general clinical awareness is low and prompt diagnosis is often delayed. New diagnostic instruments (scoring systems, MRI) have either a low accuracy or are time consuming and cannot guide clinicians reliable currently. The value of adjunctive measures (intravenous immunoglobulin, hyperbaric oxygen therapy) is uncertain as well. Morbidity and mortality in NSTI remain high, ranging from 20 up to over 30%.

SUMMARY

Early radical surgical debridement and empirical broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment remain the cornerstones of therapy in NSTI. Further clinical research is necessary to shorten diagnostic pathways and to optimize surgical, antimicrobial, and adjunctive treatment.

Closure of Complex Wounds by a Simple Skin Stretching System Associated With Vacuum Sealing Drainage-Clinical Outcome of 34 Patients

Management of complex wounds with large skin defects presents a real challenge for orthopedic or reconstructive surgeons. We developed a simple skin stretching system associated with vacuum sealing drainage to examine the efficiency and complication. A total of 34 patients with different types of complex wounds were retrospectively included from January 2015 to March 2021. All patients in the study were underwent the treatment by 2 stages. The method was used to the wounds from 4.71 to 169.65 cm² with a median defect size of 25.13 cm². The median time for wound closure was 11.5 days (range: 5-32 days), although the median absolute reduction was 2.08 cm²/day (range: 0.15-25.66 cm²/day). Depending on the site of the wounds, the cause of the wound, and the rate of max-width/max-length (W/L), these complex wounds could be separately divided into several groups. There were statistically significant differences in the median value of the above variables (P < .05 Kruskal-Wallis test). The results showed that different anatomical sites had different viscoelastic properties, the complex wounds caused by trauma were easier to close than caused by diabetic foot and the complex wounds in group A (W/L ＞ 0.5) were more difficult to close than in group B (W/L ≤ 0.5). No major complications were encountered in this study. In summary, the results of our study showed that the simple skin stretching system associated with vacuum sealing drainage was a safe approach for closure of complex wounds. Nevertheless, more attention should be paid to the viscoelasticity of the wounds to ensure closure and avoid undue complications when applying the method.

Application of a simple skin stretching system and negative pressure wound therapy in repair of complex diabetic foot wounds

The management of complex diabetic foot wounds with large skin defects poses a challenge for surgeons. We presented a simple skin stretching system and negative pressure wound therapy for the repair of complex diabetic foot wounds to examine the effectiveness and safety.

A total of 16 patients with diabetic foot ulcers were retrospectively reviewed between January 2015 and October 2020. All patients underwent the treatment by 3 stages. In stage 2, these difficult-to-close wounds of diabetes foot were residual. This method was applied to the wounds with a median defect size of 20.42 cm² (range, 4.71–66.76 cm²).

The median time for closure of complex diabetic foot wounds was 14 days ranging from 8 to 19 days. With respect to the absolute rates of reduction, it was observed with a median of 1.86 cm²/day, ranging from 0.29 cm²/day to 8.35 cm²/day. In accordance with the localization of the defect, the patients were divided into 3 groups: side of the foot (37.5%), dorsum of the foot (50.0%), and others (12.5%). There was no statistical difference between side of the foot and dorsum of the foot in terms of the median defect size with P = 0.069 (Kruskal–Wallis test). Otherwise, there were statistically significant differences regarding the median time and the median absolute rates (P < 0.05; Kruskal–Wallis test). No severe complications were encountered in this study.

In summary, our results show that application of the simple skin stretching system and NPWT is an effective and safe approach to complex diabetic foot wounds. Nevertheless, more attention should be paid to the appropriate patient selection and intraoperative judgment to ensure wound closure and avoid undue complications.

Idiopathic necrotizing fasciitis following fracture fixation: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an infrequent, highly lethal skin infection that spreads rapidly, marked by fascia and subcutaneous tissue necrosis. It occurs in the absence of a known causative factor. Its emergence after sterile orthopedic fixation with unexpected spread to the abdomen may turn to be challenging both as a medical and surgical emergency.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 56-year-old diabetic female presented with multiple fractures. After open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with iliac crest grafting of hip fracture, she developed incisional NF which later spread to the abdomen.

DIAGNOSIS

Post-ORIF of hip fracture complicated with idiopathic NF and abdominal spread.

INTERVENTIONS

She underwent emergency débridements with negative pressure wound therapy and broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy. After granulation, the wounds were closed with skin flaps and grafts with antibiotic beads. When the NF spread to the abdomen, additional débridements during abdominal explorations were performed.

OUTCOMES

The patient was initially stable with promising healings of the wounds. Later, the patient suddenly developed a high fever and severe abdominal pain. Ultrasound revealed that NF emerged unexpectedly in the right lower abdomen. The causative agent of the NF remained undetected. Despite all the extensive treatments, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly. She died of septic shock and multiple organ failure.

CONCLUSION

The idiopathic NF may still potentially occur after a clean ORIF of the hip region. The implementation of intensive guideline-based treatments may show improvements, but the risk of unexpected NF spread to the abdomen should be anticipated, which may increase the mortality rates in diabetic or immunocompromised patients.

Multimodal Conservative Treatment of Complicated Open Wound After Total Knee Replacement Arthroplasty in Patients With Comorbidities

Total knee replacement arthroplasty is a common procedure and postoperative wound complications are sometimes inevitable. Although invasive reconstructive surgery may be an option for nonhealed wounds, such procedures can limit early rehabilitation, adversely affecting the range of joint motion. Patients can achieve a wider range of motion if they undergo early rehabilitation with a conservative approach. From 2015 to 2017, 5 patients with comorbidities who underwent total knee replacement arthroplasty were referred to the reconstructive surgery department for nonhealed open wounds. Depending on their comorbidities and conditions, the patients underwent negative-pressure wound therapy based on multimodal conservative treatment. During the treatment, the patients continued rehabilitation. In the 5 patients, the mean duration of complete wound healing was 65.2 days (range = 57-81), during which all open wounds were well healed. For final wound closure, the patients underwent skin grafting, dermatotraction, or collagen dressing. Four patients achieved ranges of joint motion over 100 degrees after treatment. We believe that early coverage is important for open wounds. For complicated open wounds after total knee replacement arthroplasty in patients with comorbidities, less invasive multimodal treatment along with early rehabilitation may be more effective to achieve adequate final range of joint motion.

Fournier's Gangrene and Intravenous Drug Abuse: an Unusual Case Report and Review of The Literature

Fournier's gangrene is a potentially fatal emergency condition characterized by necrotizing fasciitis and supported by an infection of the external genital, perineal and perianal region, with a rapid and progressive spread from subcutaneous fat tissue to fascial planes. In this case report, a 52-year-old man, with a history of hepatitis C-virus (HCV)-related chronic liver disease and cocaine use disorder for which he was receiving methadone maintenance therapy, was admitted to the Emergency Department with necrotic tissue involving the external genitalia. Fournier's gangrene is usually due to compromised host immunity, without a precise cause of bacterial infection; here it is linked to a loco-regional intravenous injection of cocaine. A multimodal approach, including a wide surgical debridement and a postponed skin graft, was needed. Here we report this case, with a narrative review of the literature.

Optimising Wound Closure Following a Fasciotomy: A narrative review

Compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency that could be resolved by a fasciotomy. However, performing substantial skin incisions may lead to life-threatening complications. This narrative review aimed to present the available methods of wound closure and preferential factors for using each technique. Viable and non-infected wounds were most often treated by gradual approximation techniques, such as the simple or modified shoelace technique, the prepositioned intracutaneous suture or several commercially-available mechanical devices. In addition, applying negative pressure therapy was found to be feasible, particularly when combined with approximation techniques. Skin grafting was reserved for severely-dehiscent wounds while other non-invasive approaches were considered for other subsets of patients with inadvisable surgical interventions. Treatment decision should be made in view of the patient’s condition, ease of application, availability of resources, cost of treatment and aesthetic outcomes.

Necrotizing skin and soft-tissue infections in the intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing skin and soft-tissue infections (NSTI) are rare but potentially life-threatening and disabling infections that often require intensive care unit admission.

OBJECTIVES

To review all aspects of care for a critically ill individual with NSTI.

SOURCES

Literature search using Medline and Cochrane library, multidisciplinary panel of experts.

CONTENT

The initial presentation of a patient with NSTI can be misleading, as features of severe systemic toxicity can obscure sometimes less impressive skin findings. The infection can spread rapidly, and delayed surgery worsens prognosis, hence there is a limited role for additional imaging in the critically ill patient. Also, the utility of clinical scores is contested. Prompt surgery with aggressive debridement of necrotic tissue is required for source control and allows for microbiological sampling. Also, prompt administration of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy is warranted, with the addition of clindamycin for its effect on toxin production, both in empirical therapy, and in targeted therapy for monomicrobial group A streptococcal and clostridial NSTI. The role of immunoglobulins and hyperbaric oxygen therapy remains controversial.

IMPLICATIONS

Close collaboration between intensive care, surgery, microbiology and infectious diseases, and centralization of care is fundamental in the approach to the severely ill patient with NSTI. As many aspects of management of these rare infections are supported by low-quality data only, multicentre trials are urgently needed.

Evaluation and Management of Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections

Despite advances in antibiotic and surgical management and supportive care for necrotizing soft tissue infections, morbidity and mortality remain substantial. Although there are clinical practice guidelines in place, there still remains much variability in choice and duration of antibiotic therapy, time to initial surgical debridement, and use of adjuvant medical therapies. This article offers an overview of necrotizing soft tissue infections with a focus on current diagnostic and treatment modalities.

Management of Postfasciotomy Wounds and Skin Defects Following Complex Vascular Trauma to the Extremities Using the External Tissue Extender System

Management of large postfasciotomy wounds and/or skin and soft tissue defects after major vascular trauma to the extremities can be challenging. The External Tissue Extender (Blomqvist; ETE), a skin-stretching device, which consists of silicone tapes and plastic stoppers, approximates wound margins and facilitates delayed primary closure. We describe our experience with the use of ETE in 5 patients (4 males) with a total of 8 wounds (7 postfasciotomy, 1 soft tissue defect) over the past 12 years. The mean patient age was 32 (range 17-61) years. The wounds involved the lower limb in 3 patients and the upper limb in 2, whereas the injured arteries were the popliteal in 3, the axillary in 1, and the brachial in 1. The mean wound length was 24 cm (range 9-37 cm), and the mean number of ETE silicone tapes used per wound was 13 (range 5-19). The median duration of ETE therapy was 7 days (range 4-7). ETE therapy resulted in sufficient wound approximation to allow complete closure with conventional suturing in 7 out of the 8 wounds. Of these, one developed infection that required drainage, debridement, and resuturing. All wounds achieved satisfactory healing status and all limbs had been salvaged. In conclusion, the ETE is a useful, easy-to-use, and simple adjunct that may facilitate delayed primary closure of large postfasciotomy wounds or extensive skin and soft tissue defects following complex vascular trauma to the extremities.

Necrotising fasciitis of the extremities: implementation of new management technologies

INTRODUCTION

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is potentially life-threatening soft-tissue infection. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical debridement are critical to decrease mortality and morbidity. The impacts of new management technologies such as hydro-bisturi-assisted debridement (HAD) and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) are not yet clear with respect to treatment of NF. The objective of this study was to describe laboratory (including LRINEC score), clinical and microbiological factors, treatment methods and outcomes related to managing necrotising fasciitis, focusing on the implementation of new treatment methods in our centre.

METHODS

From June 2010 to June 2014, adult patients diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis affecting an upper or lower limb that were admitted to our hospital, a referral tertiary care centre, were eligible to participate in this study. Demographic data, clinical features, location of infection, Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotising Fasciitis (LRINEC) score on the day of admission, microbiology and laboratory results, use of HAD, wound management using NPWT, and patient outcomes were retrospectively analysed. A univariate risk factor analysis was performed, in an attempt to define prognostic factors for mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Type II NF (Group A ß-haemolytic streptococci) was found in 8 cases (40%). The average LRINEC score on the day of admission was 6. The lower extremity was affected in 60% of the cases. All patients were treated operatively, with 2.5 interventions on average. Hydro-bisturi was used in the first debridement in 40% of the cases (8 out 20). In 75% of the studied cases, Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) was the technique selected for surgical wound management. The global mortality rate was 30%. On univariate analysis, the only factors significantly associated with mortality were high levels of creatinin (p=0.033) and low blood glucose levels (p=0.012). Finally, four amputations were observed in this series.

CONCLUSION

We confirm that necrotising fasciitis (NF) of the extremities, despite new advancements in treatment and critical care management, is still a potentially life-threatening soft-tissue infection (30% mortality). New, advanced wound management modalities have been heavily used in management of necrotising fasciitis, but these have not had significant impacts on morbidity and mortality rates.

Negative pressure wound therapy-assisted dermatotraction for the closure of large open wounds in a patient with non-clostridial gas gangrene

Case

A 53-year-old woman developed septic shock associated with non-clostridial gas gangrene. She presented to the emergency department with two large open wounds on both thighs and in her sacral region. Non-enhanced computed tomography showed air density in contact with the right iliopsoas, which extended to the posterior compartment of the thigh. We made repeated efforts at surgical debridement of the wound with resection of necrotic tissues.

Outcome

Using negative pressure wound therapy-assisted dermatotraction, the pus pockets and the wound dehiscence decreased in size. Using this method we were successful in achieving delayed closure without skin grafts.

Conclusion

Negative pressure wound therapy can be an effective treatment for large and infected open contoured wounds. Negative pressure wound therapy-assisted dermatotraction might be beneficial for poorly healing, large, open wounds in patients in poor condition and with insufficient reserve to tolerate reconstructive surgery.