Treatment and Chest Reconstruction for Mediastinitis Following Sternotomy for Cardiac Surgery at the Heart Institute of the University of São Paulo Medical School

Abstract This study presents the method used for chest reconstruction and treatment of mediastinitis following cardiac surgery at the Heart Institute of the University of São Paulo Medical School. After infection control with antibiotic therapy associated with aggressive surgical debridement and negative pressure wound therapy, chest reconstruction is performed using flaps. The advantages and disadvantages of negative pressure wound therapy are discussed, as well as options for flap-based chest reconstruction according to the characteristics of the patient and sternum. Further studies are needed to provide evidence to support the decisions when facing this great challenge.

Treatment and Chest Reconstruction for Mediastinitis Following Sternotomy for Cardiac Surgery at the Heart Institute of the University of São Paulo Medical School.

This study presents the method used for chest reconstruction and treatment of mediastinitis following cardiac surgery at the Heart Institute of the University of São Paulo Medical School. After infection control with antibiotic therapy associated with aggressive surgical debridement and negative pressure wound therapy, chest reconstruction is performed using flaps. The advantages and disadvantages of negative pressure wound therapy are discussed, as well as options for flap-based chest reconstruction according to the characteristics of the patient and sternum. Further studies are needed to provide evidence to support the decisions when facing this great challenge.

Calcanectomia subtotal para tratamento de úlcera de pressão com osteomielite associada: relato de 2 casos / Subtotal calcanectomy for the treatment of calcaneal pressure sores with associated osteomyelitis: a report of 2 cases

Introdução: Feridas em pés são muito frequentes e requerem abordagem multidisciplinar para a sua prevenção, tratamento e reabilitação. Quando acometem o calcâneo, oferecem dificuldade ainda maior e podem apresentar complicação com a ocorrência de osteomielite. Debridamento de tecido desvitalizado e antibioticoterapia são etapas obrigatórias para o tratamento. Na reconstrução, retalhos locais ou livres são necessários. Porém, nem todos os pacientes, devido a condições sistêmicas ou de vascularização local, são candidatos a esse tipo de reconstrução e acabam sendo submetidos a amputações. Relato de caso: Os autores relatam dois casos nos quais foram utilizadas calcanectomias subtotais para o tratamento de feridas em calcâneo. Em ambos os casos, foram evitadas as amputações.

Introduction: Feet wounds are very common and require multidisciplinary approach for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. When involving the calcaneus, they offer even greater difficulty and may complicate with osteomyelitis. Debridement of devitalized tissue and antibiotics are important steps for treatment. For the reconstruction, local or free flaps are needed. However, not all patients, due to systemic conditions or local blood supply, are not candidates for this type of reconstruction and some times are submitted to amputations. Cases Report: The authors report two cases in which subtotals calcanectomies were used for the treatment of wounds in the calcaneus. In both cases, amputations were avoided.

Tratamento da ptose mamária e hipomastia utilizando técnica de mamoplastia com pedículo súpero-medial e implante mamário / Treatment of breast ptosis and hypomastia using the superomedial pedicle technique of mammaplasty combined with breast augmentation", "_e": "n

INTRODUÇÃO: O tratamento da ptose mamária com hipomastia utilizando técnica de mastopexia associada a implante mamário em um tempo cirúrgico é frequentemente associado a potenciais complicações mais graves do que quando se utilizam os métodos separadamente. Na literatura, a incidência relatada de complicações é semelhante à de procedimentos realizados em dois tempos cirúrgicos. Vários autores descrevem padronizações e cuidados específicos que possibilitam a utilização dessa combinação de técnicas com segurança. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar técnica operatória para aumento mamário em pacientes com ptoses mamárias, analisando a incidência de complicações e revisões cirúrgicas. MÉTODO: Foi avaliada a incidência de complicações e revisões cirúrgicas de 27 pacientes submetidas a mastopexia com implante mamário em um tempo cirúrgico utilizando técnica de pedículo súpero-medial, operadas entre 2005 e 2010. RESULTADOS: Não foram observadas complicações imediatas que levassem a reoperações precoces. Três (11,1%) pacientes apresentaram pequenas deiscências de sutura na junção do "T" invertido, com resolução espontânea. Uma (3,7%) paciente apresentou contratura capsular, 1 ano após a operação. Quatro (14,8%) pacientes foram submetidas a revisões cirúrgicas de cicatrizes. História prévia de tabagismo aumentou em 4 vezes a incidência de deiscências de suturas e, em 2 vezes, o índice de revisões cirúrgicas de cicatrizes, porém sem diferença estatisticamente significante. CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de mastopexia associada a implante mamário utilizando técnica de pedículo súpero-medial foi eficaz e segura para o tratamento da ptose mamária com hipomastia.

BACKGROUND: One-stage treatment of breast ptosis with hypomastia using mastopexy techniques combined with breast augmentation is often believed to have the potential for more serious complications than when the procedures are performed separately. However, available data show that the incidence of complications associated with the combined treatment is similar to that of both procedures performed separately. Several authors have developed standard and specific care techniques that facilitate the safe use of this combined technique. The aim of this study is to describe the surgical technique used for breast augmentation in patients with breast ptosis, as well as the incidence of complications and surgical revision. METHODS: The incidence of complications and surgical revision was analyzed in 27 patients who underwent one-stage mastopexy combined with breast augmentation using the superomedial pedicle technique, between 2005 and 2010. RESULTS: There were no immediate complications that required early reoperations. Three (11.1%) patients had slight dehiscence of the suture at the inverted-T junction, with spontaneous resolution. One (3.7%) patient developed capsular contracture 1 year after the operation. Four (14.8%) patients underwent scar revision procedures. A history of smoking was associated with a four-fold increase in the incidence of suture dehiscence and doubled the number of scar revision procedures; however, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The mastopexy technique combined with breast augmentation using the superomedial pedicle technique was effective and safe for the treatment of breast ptosis with hypomastia.

Avaliação da sensibilidade da orelha após otoplastia / Evaluation of ear sensibility after otoplasty

Objetivo: Comparar a sensibilidade tátil da orelha antes e após otoplastia para correção de orelhas proeminentes, por meio da medida dos limiares cutâneos de pressão e de movimento obtidos peloPressure Specified Sensory Device™ (PSSD). Método: Estudo prospectivo, avaliando 15 pacientes com orelhas proeminentes, submetidos a otoplastia bilateral por meio de uma combinaçãode técnicas baseada no tipo de deformidade anatômica. A sensibilidade tátil da orelha foi testada pelo mesmo observador no pré-operatório e após 6 meses da cirurgia por meio do PSSD. Cada orelha foi testada em 7 áreas, 5 anteriores: raiz da hélice (1.OARH), hélice média (2.OAHM), antélice(3.OAA), concha (4.OAC), lóbulo (5.OAL); e 2 posteriores: sulco retroauricular (6.OPSRA), sulcoescafo-conchal (7.OPSEC). Em cada área foi realizado o teste de um ponto estático e de um ponto dinâmico. Resultados: A média dos limiares de pressão cutânea (g/mm²) nas 7 áreas do teste estático, no pré e pós-operatório, foi, respectivamente: 1.OARH: 0,3767 / 0,3987 / p=0,043;2.OAHM: 0,374 / 0,4053 / p=0,0007; 3.OAA: 0,37 / 0,3893 / p=0,0138; 4.OAC: 0,388 / 0,41 / p=0,0335;5.OAL: 0,3373 / 0,372 / p=0,0002; 6.OPSRA: 0,383 / 0,4 / p=0,1; 7.OPSEC: 0,382 / 0,4013 / p=0,0465.Já a média dos limiares de pressão cutânea (g/mm²) nas 7 áreas do teste dinâmico, no pré e pósoperatório,foi, respectivamente: 1.OARH: 0,3653 / 0,3947 / p=0,0112; 2.OAHM: 0,3547 / 0,3813 / p=0,0041; 3.OAA: 0,382 / 0,4007 / p=0,0402; 4.OAC: 0,3827 / 0,414 / p=0,0002; 5.OAL: 0,3393 / 0,368/ p=0,0009; 6.OPSRA: 0,38 / 0,402 / p=0,0273; 7.OPSEC: 0,3887 / 0,4207 / p=0,0003. Conclusões: Osresultados indicam que houve redução da sensibilidade tátil da orelha após a otoplastia.

Objective: To compare the ear tactile sensibility before and after otoplasty to correct prominent ears, through measurement of cutaneous pressure and movement threshold by Pressure Specified Sensory Device™ (PSSD). Methods: Prospective study, evaluating 15 patients with prominent ears, which were treated with bilateral otoplasty through a combination of techniques based on the type of anatomic deformity. Tactile ear sensibility was tested by the same observer onpreoperative and after 6 months from surgery by PSSD. Each ear was tested in 7 areas, 5 on the anterior face: crux of helix (1.OARH), middle helix (2.OAHM), antihelix (3.OAA), concha (4.OAC),lobe (5.OAL); and 2 on the posterior face: retroauricular slot (6.OPSRA), slot between scapha and concha (7.OPSEC). In each area was performed one point static test and one point moving test.Results: The mean of cutaneous pressure thresholds (g/mm²) on 7 static tested areas, at pre andpostoperative were respectively: 1.OARH: 0.3767 / 0.3987 / p=0.043; 2.OAHM: 0.374 / 0.4053 /p=0.0007; 3.OAA: 0.37 / 0.3893 / p=0.0138; 4.OAC: 0.388 / 0.41 / p=0.0335; 5.OAL: 0.3373 / 0.372/ p=0.0002; 6.OPSRA: 0.383 / 0.4 / p=0.1; 7.OPSEC: 0.382 / 0.4013 / p=0.0465. The mean of cutaneouspressure thresholds (g/mm²) on seven moving tested areas, at pre and postoperative were, respectively: 1.OARH: 0.3653 / 0.3947 / p=0.0112; 2.OAHM: 0.3547 / 0.3813 / p=0.0041; 3.OAA:0.382 / 0.4007 / p=0.0402; 4.OAC: 0.3827 / 0.414 / p=0.0002; 5.OAL: 0.3393 / 0.368 / p=0.0009;6.OPSRA: 0.38 / 0.402 / p=0.0273; 7.OPSEC: 0.3887 / 0.4207 / p=0.0003. Conclusions: The results indicate that there was a reduction of tactile ear sensibility after otoplasty.

Simultaneous gastric banding and cholecystectomy in the treatment of morbid obesity: is it feasible?

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, laparoscopic surgery for morbid obesity has become widely employed, including a marked increase in the placement of adjustable gastric bands (AGB). Among the co-morbidities of morbid obesity is cholelithiasis. The question arises whether concomitant cholecystectomy increases the risk of postoperative infectious complications due to the association of a potentially contaminated procedure with a clean operation, placement of an AGB. The aim of this study is to evaluate the postoperative outcome in patients submitted to laparoscopic AGB with cholecystectomy. METHODS: From January 2000 to January 2004, 308 patients (85 men and 223 women) had AGB placed. BMI ranged from 38.9 to 65.6 kg/m(2) (mean 41.6). In 17 patients (5.5%), gallstones were detected by ultrasonography, and cholecystectomy was performed together with the AGB. Mean operative time for placement of the AGB was 58 +/- 18 min, and in those with cholecystectomy 86 +/- 17 min (P =0.20). RESULTS: All patients that had placement of AGB and cholecystectomy had satisfactory postoperative outcome. No infectious complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed simultaneously with placement of an AGB has been a safe procedure.

Topiramate after adjustable gastric banding in patients with binge eating and difficulty losing weight.

BACKGROUND: About 15% of patients who undergo adjustable gastric banding (AGB) have difficulty losing weight due to, among other factors, the development or maintenance of binge eating disorder. Topiramate is an anticonvulsive drug with proven good results in controlling binge eating episodes. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of topiramate in patients with AGB. METHODS: 16 patients with binge eating and inadequate weight loss after AGB were analyzed prospectively for 3 months while receiving topiramate in doses varying from 12.5 to 50 mg per day. RESULTS: There was a mean increase in excess weight loss from 20.4% to 34.1% without the need for band readjustment. 2 patients had intolerance to topiramate and were changed to fluoxetine 40 mg per day. CONCLUSION: Topiramate may be a useful adjuvant for patients with AGB and binge eating disorder.