[Aortodigestive fistula and septic wound of the lower leg. A case report]. / Fistule aortodigestive et plaie septique de membre inférieur. À propos d'un cas.

An aortodigestive fistula can be revealed by a peripheral septic wound when patient have aortic endovascular prosthesis. Our clinical case is about a 69-year-old patient with an abscess of the lateral aspect of his left lower limb. He has been treated few years ago for an aorto-abdominal anevrysm by an aortobifemoral prosthesis. In spite of a negative initial assessment for an aortodigestive fistula, anaerobic germs were found into the abscess. The initial treatment associated debridement, negative pressure therapy, dermal substitute and a split thickness skin graft for the loss of cutaneous substance. Months later, in front of an unexplained skin healing delay and fever, we realised new assessment bringing to light an aortodigestive fistula. Furthermore, the local bacterial samples from the wound and the hemocultures found both a lot of Escherichia Coli. The change of the aorto-bifemoral prosthesis and the cure of the aortodigestive fistula allowed the complete healing of the loss of cutaneous substance of the leg. The aortodigestive fistulas have a very high mortality. Because of their difficult diagnosis, their clinical suspicion has to start a complete medical assessment. Every septic wound when patients have vascular prosthesis is suggestive of an aortodigestive fistula.

[Efficacy and tolerance of Algosteril (calcium alginate) versus Jelonet (paraffin gauze) in the treatment of scalp graft donor sites in children. Results of a randomized study]. / Evaluation de l'efficacité et de la tolérance d'Algostéril (compresse d'alginate de calcium) versus Jelonet (gaze paraffinée) dans le traitement du site donneur de greffe dermo-épidermique du cuir chevelu. Résultats d'un essai pédiatrique.

Split skin graft is frequently needed in the treatment of burned patients. Scalp is often free of burns. Due to its good skin quality and important surface, scalp is a very interesting skin donor site, specially in case of children. A controlled, randomised clinical trial was carried out in 10 French Plastic Surgery or Burns Units. It assessed the efficacy and the acceptability of calcium alginate dressing (Algosteril) versus paraffin gauze dressing (Jelonet) in the treatment of scalp donor sites in children. 67 children (mean age 54 months) entered the study, 34 in the alginate group and 33 in the control group. Follow-up visits were on day 2/d3, d5/d6, Day complete healing, d30 and d60 after surgery. The two groups were comparable on inclusion (demographic characteristics, burn nature and surface, donor site surface and thickness of split skin graft). The mean healing time was 10 and 11 days for Algosteril and Jelonet group respectively (ns). The quality of the newly formed tissue was estimated to permit a sooner skin reharvesting in the Algosteril group than in the control group (p = 0.003). Bleeding through dressing was significantly less important in the Algosteril group (p = 0.02). Changes were considered by investigators less painful with Algosteril on day complete healing (p = 0.0096). Hair growth is homogenous in both groups on day 30 and day 60 (ns). These results showed that scalp is a very interesting skin donor site and that Algosteril is of a real interest in donor site treatment.

Epidemiology of elderly patients' burns in the South West of France.

A retrospective study of 716 patients aged 60 years and above (324 men, 392 women) was undertaken in order to determine quality control in burns management in the South West of France. The following epidemiological data was obtained: high hospitalization rate (7 per cent of the general admissions); monthly and seasonal periodicity; predominance of indoor accidents (86 per cent) with domestic accidents being more frequent in women (63 vs. 37 per cent). Outdoor accidents were mainly recreational and were five times more frequent in men than in women. The overall mortality was 39 per cent and was influenced by the burns extent, depth, predisposing factors and early management. More burns occurred in urban areas (53 per cent) but mortality was higher in patients from rural areas (62 vs. 38 per cent). It was observed that delay in management, especially fluid resuscitation of patients from the rural areas, was partly responsible for this outcome. Propositions were made to diffuse more information on the importance of early management of burns in rural areas.

Herpes simplex virus infection in burned patients: epidemiology of 11 cases.

Burned patients suffer significant immunosuppression during the first 3 or 4 weeks after hospitalization. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are commonly seen in immunosuppressed patients and may account for considerable morbidity and some mortality. We studied retrospectively 11 patients with severe burn injury who became infected with HSV. We determined the prevalence of viral infection in this group of patients. Serological testing and viral culture was used to diagnose HSV infection. No general complications appeared in these 11 patients in association with HSV but two patients died of multiorgan failure. Locally, areas of active epidermal regeneration were most commonly affected. Acyclovir therapy was not used and the duration of hospitalization was normal in these 11 patients.