ABSTRACT
Background: Complex soft tissue defects of thumb and first web space are a reconstructive challenge. Low voltage electric burns of the hand commonly result in localised and deep soft tissue destruction. The first dorsal metacarpal artery flap (FDMA) is an attractive local flap option to reconstruct these. This study illustrates our experience with the same.Methods: Between March 2014 and February 2017, 16 patients with complex soft tissue defects of thumb and first web space resulting from low voltage electric burns underwent reconstruction with the FDMA flap and subsequent structured hand therapy. In the follow up visits objective assessment of hand function included tests of mobility using Kapandji Score, sensory evaluation with static 2 point discrimination and cortical reorientation. The Subjective Satisfaction Score was used to ascertain the patient’s overall perception of aesthetic and functional outcome.Results: Majority (43.75%) of the patients had defects involving the thumb IP joint. No case of complete flap failure was noted. In a mean follow-up of 11.5 months the reconstructed thumb showed return of good protective sensation as well as mobility. Though cortical reorientation was complete in only 18.75 %, it did not substantially impede hand functioning. All patients were satisfied with the functional and aesthetic result.Conclusions: In cases of low voltage electric burn injuries the FDMA flap is a reliable reconstructive option for small to moderate sized complex defects of thumb and first web space. It has minimal donor site morbidity and can be accomplished in a relatively simple single stage procedure.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#The clinical application of free perforator flaps in aesthetic repairing of the wounds of electric injuries in forearms and palms.@*Methods@#20 cases of skin tissue defects of electric injuries in forearms and palms were collected in this group, including 18 male patients and 2 female patients ranged from 20 to 50 years. The size of the skin defects are from 7 cm×5 cm to 18 cm×8 cm. 20 cases of forearms and palms with electric injuries, all of which were repaired by the transplantation of free musculocutaneous perforator monoflaps with anastomosis of interregional blood vessels. 10 cases of wounds in forearms were treated with lateral femoral circumflex artery perforator flaps with sensate nerves. The other 10 cases of wounds in palms were treated with medial plantar artery perforator flap with sensate nerves, with a flap area of 8 cm× 6cm to 20 cm×9 cm. In the donor area, 10 cases were closed with aesthetic suture and 10 cases were repaired with skin grafts.@*Results@#All flaps survived in 20 cases. Artery crisis was found in 1 case on the second day after surgery, and this flap with anastomosis of blood vessels also survived after surgical exploration without delay. The shapes and functions of palms and forearms were observed basically restored from a aesthetic point of view from a follow-up of 3 months to 36 months. Most touch, pain and warm senses were restored in cases with sensate nerves. And a two-point discrimination was 9—11 mm. A satisfactory functional recovery was achieved. The donor sites were found well-healed without any obvious scars or functional disorders.@*Conclusions@#Because of the advantages of hidden donor sites, reliable blood supply, closed texture and good abrasion-resistance, the multiple perforator sublobe flaps with sensate nerves could be adopted, and after thinning could be used as the free flaps to repair the wounds. These have predicted that this method is one of the desirable methods of aesthetic repairing and functional reconstruction of subunits skin tissue defects in palms and forearms.
ABSTRACT
Background: The aim of the study is to know the pattern and profile of injury in relation to setting of electric burn and effect of voltage of their presentation. Methods: A total of 1328 patients were admitted to the burn unit during study duration amongst them 218 were meeting our selection criteria and taken for final analysis.We restrict ourselves to the duration of the patients till admission and didn’t analyze follow up visits. Our protocol is the discharge the patients once, one is able to take self-care and not having open infected wound. Results: Majority of patients were of young age and the mean age was 27.8. 96.7% of our patients were male. More than 60% of admitted patients were inflicted with high voltage electric burn. Majority of patients affected on during work. 88 % of the patients were from rural background, and 96.7% of the patients were male, while only 3.3 % were female. Upper limb was most frequently affected site of injury (66%) of the cases. Conclusion: Workers exposed to electric current and electrical equipment should be fully trained/certified and properly dressed. The education/certification will lessen the burden of having electrical burns, which affects the person, the family as well as the workplace
ABSTRACT
Resumen Introducción: Las lesiones complejas de la cara plantar del pie son de difícil manejo desde el punto de vista reconstructivo. En la literatura el tratamiento de elección es la cobertura mediante colgajos libres. Nuestro objetivo es presentar el caso de un paciente con una lesión plantar compleja, exitosamente resuelta con el uso de matriz de regeneración dérmica (Integra®) e injerto dermoepidérmico. Caso clínico: Hombre de 35 años, que sufre quemadura eléctrica de alta tensión con lesión compleja plantar bilateral. Se manejó con escarectomías sucesivas hasta delimitar el daño tisular, y posterior cobertura con Integra® e injerto con resultado estético y funcional óptimo. Discusión: Aunque los colgajos libres son la elección en el tratamiento de esta zona anatómica, infrecuentemente son la única alternativa de reconstrucción en el paciente quemado. No hay mayor evidencia en la literatura en el uso de matrices dérmicas para la cobertura de este tipo de lesiones. Conclusión: Los autores consideran que el manejo de lesiones plantares complejas mediante el uso de matrices de regeneración dérmica es una alternativa válida a considerar en situaciones en que, por diversos motivos, no se puede ofrecer un colgajo libre.
Abstract Introduction: Complex wounds of the plantar aspect of the foot are difficult to manage in the reconstructive point of view. The standard of treatment is covering the defect with free flaps. Our goal is to present the case of a patient successfully treated with the use of matrix dermal regenaration Integra® and dermoepidermal graft for a complex plantar lesion. Clinical case: Thirty-five year old man, who suffers from high voltage electrical burn with bilateral plantar complex injury. It was handled with successive escharectomies to delimit tissue damage and subsequent coverage with Integra® and grafting with optimal aesthetic and functional results. Discussion: Although free flaps are the choice in the treatment of this anatomical area, they are infrequently the only reconstructive option in burned patients. There is no greater evidence in the literature on the use of dermal matrices to cover such injuries. Conclusion: The authors believe that the management of complex footpad lesions using dermal regeneration matrices are a valid alternative to consider in situations where for various reasons, free flaps can't be offered.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Burns, Electric/surgery , Skin Transplantation/methods , Skin, Artificial , Foot/surgery , RegenerationABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of early treatment with mouse nerve growth factor on the wound healing in aged patients with electric burn. METHODS:78 elderly patients with electric burn were divided into control group and observation group by random number table method,with 39 cases in each group. Control group was given routine method for electric burn, and observation group was additionally given Mouse nerve growth factor for injection 30 μg dissolved in 2 ml 0.9% Sodium chlo-ride injection within 24 h,im,qd,on the basis of control group. Treatment course of 2 groups lasted for 2 weeks. Clinical effica-cies of 2 groups were compared as well as VAS score before treatment,3,5,7 days after treatment. The survival rate of skin flaps and the rate of wound healing 3,5,7 days after treatment,the recovery of wound scar,the value of wound blood perfusion,the time of complete wound healing and the occurrence of ADR were also compared. RESULTS:The total effective rate of observation group(94.9%)was significantly higher than that of control group(66.7%),with statistical significance(P<0.05). 3,5,7 days after treatment,VAS score of observation group was significantly lower than that of control group,and the survival rate of skin flaps and the rate of wound healing were significantly higher than those of control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). Af-ter treatment,VSS score of observation group was significantly lower than that of control group,while the value of wound blood perfusion was significantly higher than that of control group;the time of complete wound healing was significantly lower than that of control group,with statistical significance (P<0.05). No obvious ADR was found in 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS:Early treat-ment with mouse nerve growth factor for elderly patients with electric burns can effectively lower the VAS and VSS score,improve the survival rate of skin flaps and the rate of wound healing,increase the value of wound blood perfusion and shorten the time of complete wound healing with good clinical efficacy and safety.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of damage control surgery (DCS) in the treatment of severe electric burn. Methods Retrospective analysis on clinical data of 45 patients with severe electric burn was con-ducted. According to implementing DCS or not , patients were separated into DCS group and control group. In DCS group, tangential excision and transplanted xenogenic acellular dermal matrix was conducted for severe electric burn cases with deep Ⅱ degree wound, and escharectomy and VSD dressing for Ⅲ~Ⅳ degree electric contact burn wound at the first stage then skin-grafting or skin flap-grafting on the secong stage was applied. For control group , debridement, tangential excision or escharectomy and skin-grafting or skin flap-grafting to close the wound were conducted. We compared the difference in terms of operation time, length of stay, disability rate, mortality and complications between 2 groups. Results The operation time, incidince of disability and complications in DCS Group obviously decreased but there was no difference in length of stay and mortality in both groups. Conclusion DCS is effective for reducing complications and optimizing therapeutic effect for severe electric burn patients.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In many cases, electric burn can affect regional MCP joint or web space of hand, and reconstruction of these area is significant, because it can lead severe functional and aesthetical impairment of hand. Considering many respects like hand anatomy, flap characters, functional and aesthetical results, we applied reverse adipofascial flap and report the effectiveness of this method. METHODS: From June 2010 to January 2014, 21 cases of electric burn at MCP joint or web space area were reconstructed with reverse adipofascial flaps. Within a week after theses injuries, we performed a debridement of the necrotic tissue. After elevation adipofascial flap under the skin, the flap was transferred to defect site and then we performed STSG over the flap. The donor site was closed primarily. RESULTS: Complete flap survival was achieved in 75.5% of total cases. And the partial necrosis was occurred in 7 cases. There were no other complications and satisfaction of patient survey was performed by 'Likert scale, 1~5 points', the average point was 4 that meant significantly good result. CONCLUSION: Like fasciocutaneous flap or free flap, the adipofascial flap can cover soft tissue defect with exposed or injured tendon or bone because it has good vascularity. Also, compared with other flaps, it has suitable for MCP joint or web space area in respect of flap size or bulkiness and it has more aesthetical advantages. In conclusion, adipofacial flap can be considered as appropriate method to reconstruction of electrical injury at regional MCP joint area and web space.
Subject(s)
Humans , Burns, Electric , Debridement , Free Tissue Flaps , Hand , Joints , Necrosis , Skin , Tendons , Tissue DonorsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Electrical burn of scalp is uncommon. Much more, chronically exposed dura in unstable burn scar is quite exceptional. Hence, we report a case of chronically exposed dura following electrical burn. METHODS: A 63-year-old man presented with an about 40 years history of an ulcerative lesion arising from electrical burn scar with 'squeeze like sensation' around wound. Wound was about 6 x 8cm. Area in the center was 3 x 3 cm nonviable dura without sequestrum. Tangential excision with an intraoperative neurosurgical consultation and transposition flap under general anesthesia was done. Intraoperative biopsy was done. The wound was diagnosed as chronic osteomyelitis, not Marjolin ulcer. Flap was taken successfully. But after 5 days, infectious discharge had been appeared during 2 weeks, despite irrigation and drainage. As flap was re-evaluated, we could see remnant necrotic dura. After that, latissimus dorsi muscle free flap with meshed split thickness skin graft was transferred without excision of necrotic dura. RESULTS: Flap was taken successfully. Follow-up at 10 weeks has been uneventful, with good and stable coverage of the wound. CONCLUSION: It is true that complete excision of devitalized tissue with sagittal sinus obliteration is prerequisite to flap taken. But necrotic dura was tangentially excised instead of total dura excision, because, posterior two-thirds of the sagittal sinus was involved underneath. Muscle is rich in blood vessels and decrease the recipient-site bacterial count effectively. In this case, muscle flap with skin graft without total dura excision is an alternative treatment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Anesthesia, General , Bacterial Load , Biopsy , Blood Vessels , Burns , Burns, Electric , Cicatrix , Drainage , Dura Mater , Follow-Up Studies , Free Tissue Flaps , Muscles , Osteomyelitis , Scalp , Skin , Transplants , UlcerABSTRACT
To evaluate the various factors related to the development of electric cataract in electric burn patients, we reviewed medical charts of 663 electric burn patients who were admitted to the department of General Surgery in Hanil General Hospital between 1981 and 1993. Eleven patients(1.7%) had electric cataract in both eyes. All of them were injured by contact with 22,900 voltage current, and developed third degree burns. Fifty-eight electric burn patients had their electric inputs through their head and eight (13.8%) among them developed cataracts. Only three(0.5%) among 567 electric burn patients who had their electric inputs through upper extremities developed cataracts. The interval between the electric injury and the diagnosis was 2 to 18 months. Anterior subcapsular opacity was the most common type of lenticular opacity. Other associated ocular complications included uveitis, macular edema, macular degeneration, and macular hole.
Subject(s)
Humans , Burns , Burns, Electric , Cataract , Diagnosis , Electric Injuries , Head , Hospitals, General , Macular Degeneration , Macular Edema , Retinal Perforations , Upper Extremity , UveitisABSTRACT
Catatracts are an infrequent but well-known complication of electrical injury, remains poorly understood. We report two cases of electric cataract with maculopathy experienced recently. The first case was a 58-year-old man who had exposed to 22000 voltage current and sustained third degree, 15% burn. 54th day after burn, the lenticular changes showed total opacity of both eyes and the intraocular pressure of left eye was 28 mmHg. 65th day after burn, extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation on left eye was performed. After the operation, naked vision was 1.0, but hard exudates were showed in macular area. The second case was a 23-year-old man who had exposed to 54000 voltage current and sustained third degree, 20% burn. 82th day after burn, the lenticular changes showed moderate opacities in the anterior and posterior subcapsular area of both eyes. 137th day after burn, extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation on right eye was performed. The final corrected visual acuity was 0.5 on 7th week after the operation due to lamellar macular hole.