Research advances on the application of carbon dots in wound treatment / 中华烧伤杂志

Chronic and infectious wound healing has always been an issue of concern in clinical and scientific research, in which bacterial infection and oxidative damage are the key factors hindering wound healing. Carbon dots, as a new material, has attracted much attention because of its unique physical and chemical properties and good biological safety. In recent years, the researches on the antibacterial property, antioxidant, and photoluminescence properties of carbon dots are more and more extensive and carbon dots have great potential in the treatment of chronic and infectious wounds. This paper reviews the research progress of carbon dots in three aspects: antibacterial, anti-oxidation and monitoring of wound infection are reviewed, and further discusses its specific mechanism, potential research direction, and application prospect.

Infecciones en pie diabético: Elección del tratamiento antibiótico empírico / Infections in diabetic foot. Choice of empirical antibiotic regimen

Las infecciones del pie diabético se asocian a complicaciones graves y constituyen la principal causa de hospitalización relacionada con diabetes y amputación de miembros inferiores. Para evitar su progresión, se requiere una conducta inicial rápida y adecuada que incluye toma de muestras para cultivos e inicio inmediato de tratamiento antibiótico empírico, según las características de las lesiones y la prevalencia local de microorganismos. Por ello, es necesario conocer y vigilar la microbiología local y la resistencia a los antimicrobianos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir la frecuencia de gérmenes en infecciones de pie diabético en pacientes ambulatorios asistidos en nuestro hospital en 2018 e identificar el esquema antibiótico con mayor cobertura, en comparación con los resultados de un estudio similar realizado en 2015. Fueron analizadas 72 muestras tomadas mediante punción por piel sana de partes blandas. Entre los 68 gérmenes aislados, los Gram negativos fueron los más frecuentes (47.1%), lo que representa un aumento significativo en relación a la frecuencia observada en 2015 (24.6%) p = 0.01 y un aumento de la sensibilidad a ciprofloxacina de 25% a 62.5% (p=0.03). El esquema con mayor cobertura fue amoxicilina-clavulánico con ciprofloxacina (77.9%) mientras que en 2015 fue amoxicilina-clavulánico con trimetoprima sulfametoxazol. La vigilancia de la microbiología local es fundamental para la elección del antibiótico empírico en las infecciones de pie diabético. En nuestro hospital, cuando la infección es de partes blandas, se recomienda la combinación amoxicilina-clavulánico más ciprofloxacina como esquema antibiótico empírico según los hallazgos de este estudio.

Diabetic foot infections are related to severe complications and constitute the main reason for diabetes-related hospitalization and lower limb amputations. A diabetic foot infection requires prompt actions to avoid progression of the infected wound; a soft tissue sample has to be taken for microbiological culture and empiric antibiotic therapy must be started immediately. Empiric antibiotic schemes should be chosen based on the severity of the infection and the local prevalence of microbial causal agents. Therefore, it is important to monitor these indicators. The aim of this study was to determine which microorganisms were more prevalent in cultures of diabetic foot infections during 2018 and what antibiotic combination was better to cover local microbiology, compared with data available from 2015 for a similar cohort. A total of 68 positive cultures were obtained of 72 soft tissue specimens analyzed. The most frequent microorganisms were Gram negative (47.1%), and resulted significantly more frequent than in 2015 (24.6%) p = 0.01. These Gram negative germs also resulted more sensitive to ciprofloxacin than in 2015 (62.5% vs. 25.0%) p = 0.03. Amoxicillin-clavulanate plus ciprofloxacin was the optimal combination therapy in 2018, while in 2015 it was amoxicillin-clavulanate plus trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. In agreement with these results, we recommend amoxicillin-clavulanate plus ciprofloxacin as the empiric antibiotic regimen of choice for soft tissue infections in diabetic foot. We consider surveillance of local microbiology to be an important tool in the management of diabetic foot infections.

Prevalencia y perfil de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana en bacterias aisladas de úlceras crónicas infectadas en adultos / Prevalence and susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from infected chronic wounds in adult patients

Resumen Introducción: Las úlceras crónicas son un problema de salud pública, agravándose por infecciones bacterianas causadas principalmente por agentes resistentes. Objetivo: Estudiar prevalencia y perfil de susceptibilidad en bacterias aisladas de úlceras crónicas en pacientes adultos. Pacientes y Métodos: Pacientes atendidos en la Fundación Instituto Nacional de Heridas entre mayo y julio de 2014, con úlceras crónicas en extremidades inferiores con signos inflamatorios clínicos. Las muestras fueron cultivadas en aerobiosis y anaerobiosis y para la identificación bacteriana se empleó el sistema de galerías API (Biomerieux). La susceptibilidad in vitro se evaluó según el método de Kirby Bauer. Resultados: Se reclutaron 73 pacientes, entre quienes 46 presentaron úlceras infectadas, diagnosticándose 33 úlceras venosas con predominio de infección polimicrobiana y 10 úlceras de pie diabético con predominio de infección monomicrobiana (p ≤ 0,05). Se aislaron 68 cepas de los 46 pacientes con úlcera infectada. Las enterobacterias predominaron en infección monomicrobiana (p ≤ 0,05) y los demás grupos bacterianos fueron levemente más frecuentes en infección polimicrobiana. La especie prevalente fue Staphylococcus aureus (24%) seguida de Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18%). Cincuenta cepas (77%) presentaron resistencia a uno o más antibacterianos. Destacamos resistencia de S. aureus a ciprofloxacina (50%) y cefoxitina (37,5%) identificándose así resistencia a meticilina en la comunidad (SARM-AC), siendo todas sensibles a cotrimoxazol. Las enterobacterias presentaron resistencia a sensibilidad a amikacina (95,5%), P. aeruginosa evidenció resistencia a ciprofloxacina (33,3%) con alta sensibilidad a gentamicina (91,7%) y amikacina (83,3%), mientras Acinetobacter spp presentó resistencia a ciprofloxacina y ceftazidima en 60%, con 100% de sensibilidad a imipenem. Streptococcus β hemolítico presentó 50% de resistencia a clindamicina y penicilina. Conclusión: Estos datos entregan información epidemiológica de infecciones de úlceras crónicas, representando un apoyo al diagnóstico, tratamiento y manejo de esta patología.

Background: Chronic wounds are considered a public health problem that may be complicated by bacterial infections, mainly caused by resistant strains. Aim: To study the bacteria prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility in samples from adult patients with chronic wounds. Methods: Patients treated at National Institute of Wounds Foundation between May and July 2014, with chronic ulcers in lower extremities with clinical inflammatory signs were recluted. Samples were cultured in aerobic and anaerobic atmosphere and species identification was performed by API (Biomerieux) galleries. The in vitro susceptibility was evaluated according to the Kirby Bauer method. Results: From 73 patients, 46 had infected wounds most of them were venous ulcers (33) with prevalence in polymicrobial infections and 10 with foot-diabetes ulcers with prevalence in monomicrobial infections (p ≤ 0.05). Sixty-eight strains were isolated and Enterobacteriaceae were predominant in monomicrobial infection (p ≤ 0.05) and the other groups were slightly higher in polymicrobial infection. The main species were Staphylococcus aureus (24%) followed by P. aeruginosa (18%). Fifty strains (77%) were resistant or multi-resistance. We emphasize resistance of S. aureus to ciprofloxacin (50%) and cefoxitin (37.5%), thus identifying resistance to methicillin in the community (CA-SAMR), all of which are sensitive to cotrimoxazole. Enterobacteria showed sensitivity to amikacin (95.5%), P. aeruginosa showed resistance to ciprofloxacin (33.3%) with high sensitivity to gentamicin (91.7%) and amikacin (83.3%), while Acinetobacter spp showed resistance to ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime in 60%, with 100% sensitivity to imipenem. 50% Streptococcus β hemolytic showed resistance to clindamycin and penicillin. Conclusion: These data provide epidemiological information on chronic wound infections, representing support for diagnosis, treatment and management of this pathology.

Production of vegetable oil blends and structured lipids and their effect on wound healing / Produção de misturas de óleos vegetais e lípidos estruturados e o seu efeito na cicatrização de feridas

Two oil blends (sunflower/canola oils 85/15 (BL1) and canola/linseed oils 70/30 (BL2)), were prepared and enzymatically interesterified to be applied to surgically-induced wounds in rats. Following surgery, the animals were submitted to the Treatment with Physiological Saline (TPS) (control group), Blends (TBL), and Structured Lipids (TSL). The control group (TPS) received physiological saline solution for 15 days. In TBL, BL1 was administered during the inflammation phase (days 0-3) and BL2 in the tissue formation and remodeling phase (days 4-15). In TSL, Structured Lipid 1 (SL1) and Structured Lipid 2 (SL2) were used instead of BL1 and BL2, respectively. The aim of this study was to compare wound closure evolution among rats treated with the blends or structured lipids versus control rats treated with physiological saline. The wound healing process was evaluated by measuring the wound areas along the treatments and the concentrations of cytokines. An increase in the areas of wounds treated with the blends and structured lipids in the inflammatory phase was observed, followed by a steeper closure curve compared to wounds treated with physiological saline. The changes observed during the inflammatory phase suggest a potential therapeutic application in cutaneous wound healing which should be further investigated...

Duas misturas de óleos vegetais (girassol/canola 85/15 (BL1) e canola/linhaça, 70/30 (BL2) foram preparadas e interesterificadas por via enzimática para serem aplicadas em feridas induzidas cirurgicamente em ratos. Após a cirurgia, os animais foram submetidos ao tratamento com soro fisiológico (TPS) (grupo controle), tratamento com as misturas (TBL) e tratamento com os lipídios estruturados (TSL). O grupo controle (TPS) recebeu soro fisiológico por 15 dias. Em TBL, BL1 foi administrada durante a fase de inflamação (dias 0-3) e BL2 na fase de formação de tecido e remodelação (dias 4-15). Em TSL, os lipídios estruturados SL1 e SL2 foram usados em vez de BL1 e BL2, respectivamente. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a evolução do fechamento das feridas dos grupos de ratos tratados com as misturas ou lipídios estruturados em comparação com os ratos do grupo controle, tratados com soro fisiológico. O processo de cicatrização das feridas foi avaliado através da medição das áreas das feridas ao longo dos tratamentos e pela determinação das concentrações de citocinas. Observou-se aumento das áreas das feridas tratadas com as misturas e os lipídios estruturados na fase inflamatória, seguida por um fechamento acentuado de feridas comparado com o tratamento com solução salina. As mudanças observadas durante a fase inflamatória sugerem uma potencial aplicação terapêutica na cicatrização de feridas cutâneas, fazendo-se necessárias investigações posteriores...

Principais microrganismos encontrados e produtos empregados em lesões tissulares contaminadas: revisão integrativa / Main microorganisms found and products used in contaminated tissular lesions: an integrative review / Principales microorganismos encontrados y productos empleados en lesiones tisulares contaminadas: revisión integrada

OBJETIVO: Realizar revisão integrativa para analisar as evidências científicas referentes à identificação dos microrganismos comumente isolados em lesões tissulares contaminadas e aos principais produtos utilizados nas mesmas. MÉTODO: Revisão integrativa a partir da busca com os descritores Úlcera de Perna, Infecção, Bactéria e Enfermagem, nas bases de dados LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE, Cochrane e SciELO, incluindo artigos publicados entre 2003 e 2013. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionados 14 artigos, sendo sete observacionais e sete estudos experimentais. DISCUSSÃO: Staphylococcus aureus e Pseudomonas aeruginosa foram os microrganismos mais prevalentes nas lesões tissulares avaliadas, seguidos por Enterobacter, Klebsiella pneumoniae e Acinetobacter. Os principais produtos utilizados foram alginato de prata, sulfadiazina de prata, luz ultravioleta e papaína, efetivos na diminuição da carga bacteriana de lesões contaminadas. CONCLUSÃO: A identificação precoce da presença de microrganismos nas lesões permite a decisão da propedêutica adequada a ser realizada.

AIM: To make an integrative review to examine the scientific evidences relating to the identification of microorganisms commonly isolated in contaminated tissular lesions and the main products used on them. METHOD: This is an integrative review originating from the search with the descriptors Leg ulcer, infection, bacteria and Nursing, in the databases LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE, Cochrane and SciELO, including articles published between 2003 and 2013. RESULTS: A total of 14 articles were selected, of which seven were observational and the other seven were experimental studies. DISCUSSION: Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most prevalent microorganisms in the evaluated tissular lesions, followed by Enterobacter, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter. The main products used were silver alginate, silver sulfadiazine, ultraviolet light and papain, which are effective in reducing the bacterial load of infected injuries. CONCLUSION: The early identification of the presence of microorganisms in lesions allows the decision in terms of the appropriate propaedeutics to be performed.

OBJETIVO: Realizar una revisión integrada para analizar las evidencias científicas referentes a la identificación de los microorganismos comunmente aislados en lesiones tisulares contaminadas y a los principales productos utilizados en las mismas. MÉTODO: Revisión integrada a partir de una búsqueda usando los descriptores Úlcera de Pierna, Infección, Bactéria y Enfermería, en las bases de datos LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE, Cochrane y SciELO, incluyendo artículos publicados entre 2003 y 2013. RESULTADOS: Fueron seleccionados 14 artículos, siendo siete de observación y siete estudios experimentales. DISCUSIÓN: Staphylococcus aureus y Pseudomonas aeruginosa fueron los microorganismos más imperantes en las lesiones tisulares evaluadas, seguidos por Enterobacter, Klebsiella pneumoniae y Acinetobacter. Los principales productos utilizados fueron alginato de plata, sulfadiazina de plata, luz ultravioleta y papaína, efectivos en la diminución de la carga bacteriana de lesiones contaminadas. CONCLUSION: La identificación precoz de la presencia de microorganismos en las lesiones permite la decisión de la propedéutica adecuada a ser realizada.

Síndrome hemofagocítico secundario a infecciones graves en un quemado / Secondary hemophagocytic syndrome due to recurrent infections in a severely burned patient

El síndrome hemofagocítico constituye una entidad infrecuente, heterogénea, subdiagnosticada, y muchas veces fatal. En los casos secundarios, los desencadenantes pueden ser numerosos, tales como infecciones, fármacos, enfermedades autoinmunes y neoplasias. El mecanismo fisiopatogénico se explica por la presencia de una función disminuida o defectuosa de células NK y linfocitos T citotóxicos, que resulta en una activación inmune inefectiva y descontrolada, conduciendo al daño celular, falla multiorgánica y proliferación macrofágica con hemofagocitosis. Existen diferentes opciones terapéuticas, mayormente combinaciones de citostáticos y esteroides, cuyo objetivo es la supresión de la respuesta inmune descontrolada. Ocasionalmente, la condición clínica de algunos pacientes con síndrome hemofagocítico impide la utilización de esquemas terapéuticos intensivos. Comunicamos el caso de un paciente quemado grave, que reúne los criterios diagnósticos de síndrome hemofagocítico, quien presentó una evolución favorable con el tratamiento combinado de esteroides e inmunoglobulinas endovenosas.

The hemophagocytic syndrome represents an infrequent, occasionally misdiagnosed and usually fatal heterogeneous entity. Infections, drugs, autoimmune diseases and cancer are often triggers of the secondary hemophagocytic syndrome. Its physiopathogenic mechanism is explained by an impaired and inefficacious function of the NK and T cytotoxic cells that leads to an ineffective and uncontrolled immune response, inducing cellular damage, multiorganic failure with macrophage proliferation and hemophagocytosis. The main objective of the different therapeutic options, commonly combinations of steroids and chemotherapy, is the suppression of the uncontrolled immune response. Occasionally, the clinical condition of some patients represents a contraindication for intensive treatment. We report a case of a severely burned patient that fulfilled the revised criteria for the hemophagocytic syndrome and was successfully treated with the combination of intravenous immunoglobulins and steroids.

Acetic acid treatment of pseudomonal wound infections - a review

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant cause of burn wound infections and, skin and soft tissue infections. The antiseptic management is an integral part of the management of wound infections and is essential to control wound infection. Although commonly used, concerns have been raised. Available experimental data suggest that many commonly used antiseptic agents may be toxic to the cells involved in wound healing process and may affect the process of normal tissue repair. In view of this, the present review summarized the various organic acids commonly used as a substitute for antiseptics to control pseudomonal wound infections with special reference to acetic acid and their role in the process of wound healing. Acetic acid is to be kept in mind as one of the alternatives when infection is caused by multiple antibiotic resistant strains of p.aeruginosa. At a time when bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a matter of increasing concern, the value of topical agents such as acetic acid should not be forgotten

The antimicrobial screening of a Barbadian medicinal plant with indications for use in the treatment of diabetic wound infections / Tamizaje antimicrobiano de una planta medicinal Barbadense con indicaciones para su uso en el tratamiento de infecciones de heridas en diabéticos

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic noncommunicable disease with high prevalence in the North American and Caribbean region. Diabetic Foot Syndrome which is an associated complication can lead to the development of wounds and ulcers which can become infected. Justicia secunda, a plant known locally in Barbados as Bloodroot used in folklore for wound healing, was selected to test its ability to aid diabetic wound healing by antimicrobial activity. It was therefore tested against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Enterococcus feacalis (clincal strain) which are commonly found in diabetic wounds. METHODS: The plant was collected by local users. Methanol and acetone extracts of the plant were prepared with use of soxhlet extraction. The antimicrobial activity was assessed with the use of a modified KirbyBaurer method. Concentrations of 200 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml, and 1 mg/ml of the extract were used, with a standard ciprofloxacin 5 µg positive control, and a 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution negative control. RESULTS: The J secunda methanol and acetone extracts with an extraction yield of 15.3% and 0.75%, respectively yielded no activity within the concentration range against the three strains of bacteria tested. In comparison with the positive control, relative inhibition zone diameter (RIZD) values of 0% resulted for both the negative control and the extracts, with the positive control having a value of 100%. CONCLUSION:The in vitro screen of the extracts prepared from J secunda, yielded no antimicrobial activity against the three strains of bacteria tested and therefore does not support the folklore claims by this mechanism of action.

OBJETIVO: La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad crónica no transmisible, de alta prevalencia en la región de Norte América y el Caribea. El síndrome de pie diabético es una complicación asociada, que puede llevar al desarrollo de heridas y úlceras, con la consiguiente posibilidad de infección. Justicia segunda es una planta conocida localmente en Barbados como "bloodroot" (sanguinaria canadensis) y usada en la medicina folklórica para la curación de heridas. Esta planta fue seleccionada para analizar su capacidad de ayudar a curar las heridas de diabéticos por su actividad antimicrobiana. Por lo tanto, se la sometió a prueba frente a bacterias Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, y Enterococcus feacalis (cepa clínica) que normalmente se encuentran en las heridas del diabético. MÉTODOS: La planta fue proporcionada por usuarios locales. Usando un extractor Soxhlet, se prepararon extractos de metanol y acetona a partir de la planta. La actividad antimicrobiana se evaluó mediante el método de KirbyBauer modificado. Se usaron concentraciones de 200 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml, y 1 mg/ml del extracto, con un control positivo de 5 µg de ciprofloxacina estándar, y un control negativo de una solución de dimetil sulfóxido (DMSO) al 5%. RESULTADOS: Los extractos de metanol y acetona de J secunda con un rendimiento de extracción de 15.3% y 0.75% respectivamente, no arrojaron actividad alguna dentro del rango de la concentración contra las tres cepas de bacterias sujetas a prueba. Comparado con el control positivo, el diámetro de la zona de inhibición relativa (RIZD) arrojó valores de 0%, tanto para el control negativo como para los extractos, con un valor de 100% para el control positivo. CONCLUSIÓN: El tamizaje in vitro de los extractos preparados de J secunda, no arrojó actividad antimicrobiana alguna contra las tres cepas de bacterias analizadas, y por consiguiente no sustenta la afirmación de la medicina folklórica en relación con este mecanismo de acción.

Rhizopus-associated soft tissue infection in an immunocompetent air-conditioning technician after a road traffic accident: a case report and review of the literature

Rhinocerebral or sinopulmonary mucromycosis is a well-recognized human fungal infection found among immunocompromised and diabetic patients. However, the infection is rare among immunocompetent hosts. We are reporting the case of an adult immunocompetent male patient working as an air-conditioning technician. The patient was a victim of a road traffic accident [RTA] and sustained multiple fractures in the proximal part of the left tibia, distal femur, and scapula. Two weeks postoperatively, Rhizopus microspores were isolated from an infected traumatic wound over the distal femur. Surgical debridement was performed, and the patient was started on amphotericin B. Occupational exposure history and workplace environmental sanitation are crucial for the prevention of this potentially fatal yet preventable infection. 2011 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Shewanella infection of snake bites: a twelve-year retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: Infections of snake bite wounds by Shewanella are rarely discussed in the medical literature. This study aims to characterize the presentation and management of Shewanella infections in snake bite wounds. METHOD: We retrospectively investigated the microbiology, clinical features, and outcomes of patients with Shewanella infected snake bite wounds admitted to a tertiary medical center from January 1998 to December 2009. RESULTS: Ten patients with Shewanella-infected snake bite wounds were identified. All of the snake bites were caused by cobras. The majority of patients had moderate to severe local envenomation and polymicrobial infections. Shewanella isolates are susceptible to ampicillin-sulbactam, piperacillin-tazobactam, third-and fourthgeneration cephalosporins, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, and quinolones but are resistant to penicillin and cefazolin. All of the patients examined had favorable outcomes. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that Shewanella infection be considered in snake bite patients, especially when patients present with moderate to severe local envenomation.

Reparación primaria versus colostomía en lesiones del colon / Primary repair vs. colostomy in colon injuries

Introducción: El colon es el segundo órgano más frecuentemente lesionado en las heridas por trauma penetrante de abdomen. En México, las lesiones por arma blanca o de fuego van en aumento. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar el principal manejo para las lesiones traumáticas de colon. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo y aleatorizado de 178 pacientes con trauma abdominal y lesiones de colon, en un lapso de cinco años (enero de 2003 a junio de 2008) en el Hospital General de Balbuena. Se comparó el uso del cierre primario y cirugía derivativa con colostomía. Se analizó sexo, grupo de edad, tipo de herida, grado de lesión y mortalidad. Resultados: De 178 pacientes, 156 fueron hombres (87.6 %) y 22 mujeres (12.4 %). El grupo de edad con mayor afección fue el de 21 a 30 años; 74 pacientes (41.6 %) presentaron heridas por instrumento punzocortante y 104 pacientes (58.4 %) heridas por arma de fuego. El principal manejo fue mediante cierre primario: 92 casos (51.7 %) versus 86 (48.3 %) para cirugía derivativa; sin embargo, en las heridas por arma de fuego el principal manejo fue la colostomía (67 casos). La mortalidad fue de 17 casos (9.55 %) debido a causas diversas como lesiones a múltiples órganos de manera asociada. Conclusiones: En las lesiones colónicas debe individualizarse el tratamiento, según la etiopatogenia, grado de lesión y lesiones asociadas.

BACKGROUND: Colon trauma is frequent and its prevalence is difficult to establish because of the different factors that intervene in its origin. In Mexico, traumatic colon injuries, albeit stab wounds or gunshot wounds, are on the rise. Our objective was to evaluate the most appropriate management for traumatic colon injuries. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 178 case files of patients with abdominal trauma and colon lesions during a 5-year period from January 2003 to June 2008 from the General Hospital of Balbuena, Mexico City. The study compared the use of primary closure vs. colostomy, analyzing variables such as sex, age, type of wound, severity of lesion and mortality. RESULTS: There were a total of 178 patients; 156 were male (87.6%) and 22 were female (12.4%). The most affected age group was between 21 and 30 years; 74 patients (41.6%) had stab wounds and 104 patients (58.4%) had gunshot wounds. Management consisted mainly of primary closure in 92 cases (51.7%) vs. colostomy in 86 patients (48.3%). However, 64% of gunshot wounds were treated with colostomy. Reported mortality was 9.55% and this was due to different factors such as multiple organ injury. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of traumatic colon injury should be case specific, taking into account the mechanism of the lesion, its severity and associated injuries.

Cierre primario en trauma de colon / Primary closure in colon trauma

Objetivo: Informar si la evolución > 6 horas, grado de contaminación y lesión, sitio anatómico lesionado, PATI (penetrating abdominal trauma index) > 25 y presencia de otras lesiones en trauma de colon, se asocian a mayor morbimortalidad en pacientes con lesión colónica a quienes se les realizó cierre primario. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, observacional, longitudinal, descriptivo, en el Hospital Central “Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto”, San Luis Potosí. Se incluyeron pacientes con trauma abdominal sometidos a cirugía que presentaron lesión colónica. Análisis estadístico básico con χ2. Resultados: 481 pacientes fueron intervenidos por trauma abdominal; 77 (16.1 %) tuvieron lesión colónica, de los cuales 90 % (n = 69) se intervino en las primeras seis horas; 91 % fue lesión penetrante. El colon transverso fue el más lesionado (38 %, n = 29); las lesiones grado I y II representaron 75.3 % (n = 58). Se efectuó cierre primario en 76.66 % (n = 46), resección con anastomosis en 8.3 % (n = 5) y colostomía en 15 % (n = 9). Hubo lesiones asociadas en 76.6 % (n = 59) y contaminación en 85.7 % (n = 66); 82.8 % (58) tuvo PATI < 25; complicaciones asociadas al procedimiento operatorio, 28.57 % (n = 22); reintervenciones, 10 % (n = 8); estancia hospitalaria promedio, 11.4 días; mortalidad no relacionada a lesión de colon, 3.8 % (n = 3). Conclusiones: El cierre primario es un procedimiento seguro para el tratamiento de lesiones colónicas. Los pacientes con cierre primario presentaron menor morbilidad (p < 0.009). Los pacientes con cirugía en las primeras seis horas (p < 0.006) y estabilidad hemodinámica (p < 0.014) tuvieron menor riesgo de complicación.

BACKGROUND: Primary repair of colon injuries is an accepted therapeutic option; however, controversy persists regarding its safety. Our objective was to report the evolution and presence of complications in patients with colon injury who underwent primary closure and to determine if the time interval (>6 h), degree of injury, contamination, anatomic site injured, PATI (Penetrating Abdominal Trauma Index) >25, and the presence of other injuries in colon trauma are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational, longitudinal and descriptive study conducted at the Central Hospital "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto," San Luis Potosí, Mexico, from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2007. We included patients with abdominal trauma with colon injury subjected to surgical treatment. chi(2) was used for basic statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 481 patients with abdominal trauma who underwent surgery; 77(16.1%) had colon injury. Ninety percent (n = 69) were treated in the first 6 h; 91% (n = 70) were due to penetrating injuries, and gunshot wound accounted for 48% (n = 37). Transverse colon was the most frequently injured (38%) (n = 29). Grade I and II injuries accounted for 75.3% (n = 58). Procedures included primary repair (76.66 %) (n = 46); resection with anastomosis (8.3%) (n = 5); and colostomy (15%) (n = 9). Associated injuries were present in 76.6% (n = 59). There was some degree of contamination in 85.7% (n = 66); 82.8% (58) had PATI <25. Complications associated with the surgical procedure were observed in 28.57% (n = 22). Reoperation was necessary in 10% (n = 8). Average hospital stay was 11.4 days. Mortality was 3.8% (n = 3); none of these were related to colon injury. CONCLUSIONS: Primary repair is a safe procedure for treatment of colon injuries. Patients with primary repair had lower morbidity (p <0.009). Surgery during the first 6 h (p <0.006) and in hemodynamically stable patients (p <0.014) had a lower risk of complications.

Comparison of the efficacy of oral and injectable forms of prophylactic antibiotics in grade II traumatic ulcers in emergency wards of university hospitals of Yazd

Traumatic ulcers are one of the most common causes of referral to emergency wards and interfere with wound healing. Even in a complete sterile condition, all of the ulcers may be contaminated with bacteria, but a few of them progress and cause clinical manifestations. There is a controversy on the use prophylactic antibiotics in traumatic ulcers. In this study we compare the efficacy of oral and injectable forms of antibiotics in prophylaxis of infection. In this clinical trial study, 237 cases suffering from grade II traumatic ulcers were selected by simple random method and divided into 2 groups; first group was administered 1 gram cephazoline prior to suturing and received no other antibiotics, while the second group received 500 mg cephalexin capsule before suturing and continued the treatment for 24 hours. [500 mg QID] .Patients were followed up on day 7, 10 and 30 after discharge from hospital for infection of the wounds. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS 11 software using Chi-squire and Fisher exact tests. According to the findings, confounding variables such as sex, age, width of the wound, traumatic cause and site and also the time course until referral to the emergency ward were similar in both groups. Prevalence of infection in the group receiving oral and injection forms of antibiotic was 2.5% and 1.7%, respectively, difference of which was not significant.[P = 0.683]. As the prevalence of wound infection is similar in both groups, oral forms of antibiotics can be used instead of injectable forms for wound infection prophylaxis

Pathogenesis and management of diabetic foot--a review.

In the present article, the pathophysiology, evaluation and management guidelines of diabetic foot infections are reviewed with a view to reducing the medical morbidity, psychological distress and financial costs.

Bacterial and fungal colonization of burn wounds

A prospective study of fungal and bacterial flora of burn wounds was carried out from February 2004 to February 2005 at the Burns Unit of Hospital Regional da Asa Norte, Brasília, Brazil. During the period of the study, 203 patients were treated at the Burns Unit. Wound swab cultures were assessed at weekly intervals for four weeks. Three hundred and fifty four sampling procedures (surface swabs) were performed from the burn wounds. The study revealed that bacterial colonization reached 86.6 percent within the first week. Although the gram-negative organisms, as a group, were more predominant, Staphylococcus aureus (28.4 percent) was the most prevalent organism in the first week. It was however surpassed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa form third week onwards. For S. aureus and P. aeruginosa vancomycin and polymyxin were found to be the most effective drugs. Most of the isolates showed high level resistance to antimicrobial agents. Fungi were found to colonize the burn wound late during the second week postburn, with a peak incidence during the third and fourth weeks. Species identification of fungi revealed that Candida tropicalis was the most predominant, followed by Candida parapsilosis. It is crucial for every burn institution to determine the specific pattern of burn wound microbial colonization, the time-related changes in the dominant flora, and the antimicrobial sensitivity profiles. This would enable early treatment of imminent septic episodes with proper empirical systemic antibiotics, without waiting for culture results, thus improving the overall infection-related morbidity and mortality.

Estudo epidemiológico, clínico e microbiológico prospectivo de pacientes portadores de fraturas expostas etendidos em hospital universitário / Epidemiological, clinical and microbiological prospective study of patients with open fractures assisted at a university hospital

Foram estudados 117 pacientes com fraturas expostas, submetidos a protocolo para identificação do paciente e características do trauma, internados para tratamento cirúrgico, durante um período de dois anos. A avaliação microbiológica da ferida foi realizada em 45 pacientes antes do desbridamento cirúrgico, com predomínio dos germes gram positivos. A antibioticoterapia foi utilizada profilaticamente em todos os pacientes, podendo, no entanto, ser melhor padronizada. O perfil da maioria dos pacientes da amostra foi: sexo masculino, branco, casado, com idade entre 21 e 30 anos, trabalhador industrial com Primeiro Grau completo, vítima de acidente de automóvel ou motocicleta. As fraturas foram agrupadas segundo a classificação de Gustilo, sendo que a maioria dos casos encontrados foram do tipo III. Os índices de infecção estiveram relacionados ao grau da classificação, sendo mais frequente no tipo III. No entanto, o estudo também revelou índice elevado de infecção no tipo II, comparado com a literatura. O tempo médio de exposiçao foi de cinco horas e trinta e nove minutos, sendo o fixador externo o meio de tratamento mais utilizado. Foi também avaliada a freqüencia de politraumatizados, 15 por cento. O período de internaçao foi em médiaa de 9,14 dias, com uma média de aproximadamente oito retornos por pacientes nos ambulaórios. As principais complicações foram a infecção e a pseudoartrose, sendo a tíbia o osso mais acometido.

Aspectos generales en el manejo quirúrgico de las heridas por asta de toro en el Valle de México / Comprehensive planning for surgical treatment of bull-horn injuries in professional bull fighters in the Mexico City Valley, 1997-2000. A report of 42 cases

Se presenta la experiencia de 31 casos de pacientes que sufrieron en total 42 lesiones por cuerno de toro, atendidos en nuestra clínica de febrero de 1997 a septiembre de 2000, todos ellos reconocidos oficialmente como toreros. El tratamiento quirúrgico de las heridas se apegó a los criterios para las lesiones con alta contaminación. La planeación de nuestro quirúrgico permitió operar a todos los casos en un período de 3 a 8 horas después de la herida. Se destaca la importancia de la exploración quirúrgica de todas las trayectorias de la herida en búsqueda de cuerpos extraños y para efectuar un desbridamiento minucioso. Todos los casos se trataron con cierre primario en virtud de encontrarse dentro del tiempo útil, de la calidad de cirugía y del uso sistemático de antibióticos profilácticos, con ceftriaxona parenteral por los primeros 5 a 6 días y después ciprofloxacina oral por 8 días m s. No hubo ningún caso de infección. Como complicaciones hubo 5 dehiscencias, una necrosis de un segmento de la piel y 2 hematomas. Todas se resolvieron con procedimientos quirúrgicos complementarios.