ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: While surgical therapy for Dupuytren's disease is a well-established standard procedure, severe joint flexion deformities in advanced Dupuytren's disease remain challenging to treat. Skeletal distraction has proven to be an additional treatment option. METHODS: We analyzed the surgical treatment algorithm, including the application of a skeletal distraction device, in patients with a flexion deformity due to Dupuytren's disease, Iselin stage III or IV, who were operated on from 2003 to 2020 in our department. RESULTS: From a total of 724 patients, we included the outcome of 55 patients' fingers in this study, who had undergone additional skeletal joint distraction with our Erlangen device. Additional fasciotomy or fasciectomy, in a one- or two-staged procedure, was performed in all patients, according to the individual findings and necessities. The range of motion of the PIP joint improved from 12° to 53°. A number of complications, in all steps of the treatment, were noted in a total of 36.4% of patients, including the development of fractures (16.4%), followed by vessel injury, pin infections, and complex regional pain syndrome (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Additional skeletal distraction improves the range of motion of severely contracted joints in Dupuytren's disease. Nevertheless, careful patient selection is necessary, due to the moderate rate of complications.
ABSTRACT
A group of 18 European wound care specialists were surveyed in March 2020 on the expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wound care and their clinical practice. The panel expected inadequate wound diagnosis, delays in treatment, increased wound infection and inflammation and increased patient hospitalisations as a result of national lockdowns and redeployment of clinical staff to the acute setting. Seven specialists were followed up nearly a year later in January 2021 to ascertain the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic on wound care. To overcome the main challenges of the pandemic, the group proposed that supporting and educating carers offers an opportunity to improve patient care.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To manage the expected COVID-19 patient load major restrictions in in- and outpatient treatment had to be made. Depending on local conditions and order supply differences SARS-CoV-2 restrictions had a massive impact on medical care. To show the impact of plastic surgery on emergency surgery during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the amount of surgical emergencies in a single center plastic surgery division were evaluated. METHOD: The number of plastic surgery cases in a university hospital was evaluated during 16.03.2020 to 27.04.2020 and compared with previous years. RESULTS: Due to cancelling of elective surgery the number of cases dropped to 57,3â % of the caseload of previous years. There was no change in ratio of emergency (2020: 56,4â %; 2017-2019: 54,9â %) and urgent (2020: 44,6â %; 2017-2019: 45â %) surgery. No changes in regard to the etiology of trauma cause nor insurance status (occupational insurance/health insurance) were noted. CONCLUSION: Based on the data of this evaluation there is a clear relevance of Plastic Surgery in the setting of general medical care. Even during the pandemic crises a sufficient plastic surgery service is mandatory in a tertiary referral center.