ABSTRACT
Introduction: Chronic wounds represent a frequent cause of consultation for plastic and reconstructive surgeons. The use of epidermal culture stands out because they provide complete epithelialization, adequate aesthetic-functional results, and no morbidity for the patient. Epifast® is a pre-manufactured cultured epidermal allograft derived from the amplification in vitro of human keratinocytes. Materials and Methods: A prospective longitudinal multicenter study was carried out in four chronic wound reference centers, which were in charge of plastic and reconstructive surgery services. For a standardized wound bed preparation, the protocol synthesized by the acronym "TIME" was used. At the end of the "TIME" protocol, the pre-fabricated allograft was applied and removed 7 days after its application. Results: A total of 133 patients with diagnosis of chronic wound were included in the study. The median age was 69.3 ± 13.6 years. The most common comorbidity found was diabetes mellitus type 2 in 71.4% of the patients (n = 95) and systemic arterial hypertension in 60.2% of the patients (n = 80). The most frequent location of chronic wounds was seen in the lower extremity with 45.1% (n = 60). The mean duration for it to close was 46 ± 14 days, in which they closed within the first 3 months in 93% (n = 125) of the cases. About 91.7% (n = 122) of the wounds achieved total closure. Conclusion: Cultured epidermal allograft, combined with a meticulous technique and an adequate selection of patients, represents a safe and effective tool for chronic wounds.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral neuropathy affecting patients at productive age and has an important economical impact on those who suffer it. This study assessed the diagnostic performance of carpal tunnel syndrome´s signs and described the epidemiology at a tertiary care center in Mexico City. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome during a five-year period were included. Demographic data, electromyography results, positive clinical signs and the severity score according to the Italian scale were recorded. Diagnostic accuracy of Tinel and Phalen´s signs were calculated via odds ratio. RESULTS: Totally, 650 patients were diagnosed and treated during a five-year period, 84% were female and 16% male, and the mean age was 55.8 years. The associated comorbidities were trigger finger (36.1%), thyroid disease (25.6%) and diabetes (20%). Diagnosis yielded for Phalen and Tinel signs were variable in each of the study groups (males and females) and showed to be beneficial in diagnosis of the disease. CONCLUSION: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a complex disease in which clinical signs remain the cornerstone of diagnosis. Extension studies are useful to assess the severity of the disease.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid fillers are the second-most commonly performed nonsurgical procedure. Arterial thrombosis is their most devastating complication. Recent research shows that along hyaluronic acid thrombi, a platelet/fibrin thrombus forms in the site of injection. This is not addressed by current management protocols, which focus on perivascular hyaluronidase plus adjuvant strategies to increase blood flow. We experimented with an animal model utilizing both hyaluronidase and a thrombolytic agent for treatment of occlusion. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate the efficacy of a combined treatment of hyaluronidase with a thrombolytic agent applied perivascularly to an artery occluded with hyaluronic acid. METHODS: After direct intravascular injection into the femoral artery, rats were randomized to receive one of the following perivascular solutions: saline, hyaluronidase, alteplase, or hyaluronidase + alteplase. Reperfusion, distal bleeding, and microscopic findings were evaluated 4 hours after intervention. RESULTS: None of the subjects in the control group showed signs of reperfusion. In the hyaluronidase group, 60% reperfused, 10% completely, the rest only partially. In the alteplase group, 50% reperfused partially. In the hyaluronidase + alteplase group, 50% had partial and 50% complete prepermeabilization. Kruskal-Wallis test showed a P < 0.0001 favoring hyaluronidase + alteplase. Microscopic findings were compatible with bleeding rates. CONCLUSIONS: Both hyaluronic acid and red thrombi play a role in the occluded vessel. Perivascular application of hyaluronidase with a thrombolytic agent seems to achieve greater reperfusion rates than either one alone. If proven safe in humans, this strategy could make treatment more effective while still being suitable for an outpatient setting.
