Isolated Compartment Syndrome of the Hand After Intravenous Doxycycline Infiltration Injury.

Isolated compartment syndrome of the hand, although uncommon, can lead to considerable functional deficits if not treated promptly. The most common etiologies are related to trauma, burns, or electric injuries; however, some cases have been reported after intravenous infiltration events, particularly rapid intravenous contrast injection. In this case report, we describe the development of compartment syndrome in the hand of a critically ill patient with COVID-19 pneumonia and sepsis 16 days after doxycycline infiltration injury. She presented with worsening pain, swelling, bullous eruption, and intrinsic minus hand posturing. Emergent surgical release of intrinsic hand compartments and evacuation of a hematoma resolved her symptoms and preserved hand function. Early recognition and surgical intervention of compartment syndrome of the hand after infiltration injury in medically complex patients will reduce morbidity in this patient population.

Simultaneous Zygomatic Osteotomies With Reduction Mandibuloplasty - An Approach to Mid- and Lower-Facial Feminization in the Transfeminine Patient.

BACKGROUND: Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is effective at treating gender dysphoria associated with anthropometrically masculine facial features. For many transgender women, FFS is a crucial component of the gender transition process. The purpose of this study is to report our experience with a pragmatic technique for simultaneous mid- and lower-face feminization by zygomatic osteotomy malarplasty and reduction mandibuloplasty. METHODS: The technique to perform zygomatic osteotomy malarplasty and reduction mandibuloplasty is described, utilizing harvested bone from the mandible for bone grafting the zygomatic osteotomy gap. A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who underwent simultaneous middle and lower FFS using the described technique. Independent reviewers evaluated cropped preoperative and postoperative photographs of the mid and lower face and assigned each photograph a "femininity score." RESULTS: Seventeen transgender women underwent simultaneous zygomatic osteotomy malarplasty and reduction mandibuloplasty over the study period with adequate follow-up (average 11.1 months). Transient nerve weaknesses were the primary complications noted. A statistically significant improvement in femininity score was reported in postoperative photographs, compared to preoperative photographs ( P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The technique described in this study is an effective application of craniofacial approaches and techniques for feminizing the facial skeleton in transgender women by utilizing harvested mandibular bone for simultaneous malarplasty.

A Case for a Local Flap as Primary Reconstruction for Hidradenocarcinoma of the Leg.

Hidradenocarcinomas are rare, aggressive sweat gland tumors typically occurring in the scalp and upper extremities. They have rarely been described in the lower extremity. Due to their rarity, there is little consensus on optimal adjuvant therapy for these tumors after resection. Regardless, it is important to plan tumor excision and subsequent reconstruction with adjuvant therapy in mind. This case report describes a patient for whom a local muscle flap with skin graft provided adequate wound coverage after excision of hidradenocarcinoma and negative-pressure wound therapy. The surgical site then withstood adjuvant radiation therapy. When radiation is planned to a wound bed after tumor excision, a local muscle flap is the excellent first choice over skin graft alone regardless of wound bed characteristics.

Soft Tissue Coverage of Complex Periprosthetic Defects in Patients With Total Knee Arthroplasty: Analysis of Factors That Influence Reconstructive and Functional Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Wound breakdown following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) increases the risk of device exposure, infection, and major amputation. Although a variety of options to facilitate coverage of compromised knee joint prostheses exist, the relative safety, efficacy, and functional impact of each has not been determined. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify those perioperative factors that influence reconstructive and functional outcomes in patients with periprosthetic TKA defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 5-year retrospective review of outcomes following surgical management of TKA wounds was undertaken. Data pertaining to the timing of presentation, type and frequency of operative interventions, rates of implant/limb salvage, ambulatory status, visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain, and complications were collected. RESULTS: Thirty patients were identified during the study period with a mean follow-up of 20 months. Rates of limb salvage (66.7% vs. 91.7% vs. 75% vs. 0%, P < .001) and postoperative ambulation (100% vs. 83.3% vs. 75% vs. 54.5%, P = .036) were significantly different between patients who underwent primary closure, local muscle flap coverage, free tissue transfer coverage, and above-the-knee amputation, respectively. The number of debridements prior to definitive closure did not significantly influence rates of limb salvage (P = .21). Active tobacco use (odds ratio [OR], 4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-14.2; P = .03) and time to initial presentation from the index joint replacement (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.9-1.0; P = .04) adversely impacted device salvage. Both of these factors similarly influenced the overall likelihood of limb salvage (OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 1.5-28.8; P = .01; OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.99-1.0; P = .04). The VAS scores were not significantly different between index closure types (P = .77) but were significantly lower for patients who required < 10 debridements prior to definitive closure (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Early intervention with limited-frequency, and thorough debridement and prompt soft tissue coverage optimizes the chances of functional limb salvage in patients with complex periprosthetic TKA wounds. These findings may inform practice patterns and surgical treatment of patients presenting with compromised TKA and suggest that early involvement by reconstructive surgeons should be advocated to optimize reconstructive and functional outcomes in this difficult patient population.

Adverse Event Incidences following Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures: Incorporating FACE-Q Data to Improve Patient Preparation.

BACKGROUND: Before creation and validation of the FACE-Q by Pusic et al., adverse event types and incidences following facial cosmetic procedures were objectively measured and reported by physicians, potentially leading to misrepresentation of the true patient experience. This article analyzes and compares adverse event data from both FACE-Q and recent review articles, incorporating patient-reported adverse event data to improve patient preparation for facial cosmetic procedures. METHODS: FACE-Q adverse event data were extracted from peer-reviewed validation articles for face lift, rhinoplasty, and blepharoplasty, and these data were compared against adverse effect risk data published in recent Continuing Medical Education/Maintenance of Certification and other articles regarding the same procedures. RESULTS: The patient-reported adverse event data sets and the physician-reported adverse event data sets do contain overlapping elements, but each data set also contains unique elements. The data sets represent differing viewpoints. Furthermore, patient-reported outcomes from the FACE-Q provided incidence data that were otherwise previously not reported. CONCLUSIONS: In the growing facial cosmetic surgery industry, patient perspective is critical as a determinant of success; therefore, incorporation of evidence-based patient-reported outcome data will not only improve patient expectations and overall experience, but will also reveal adverse event incidences that were previously unknown. Given that there is incomplete overlap between patient-reported and physician-reported adverse events, presentation of both data sets in the consultation setting will improve patient preparation. Furthermore, use of validated tools such as the FACE-Q will allow surgeons to audit themselves critically.

A Wound Complication After Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Lengthening Requiring Surgical Excision: A Case Report.

A percutaneous tendo-Achilles lengthening procedure corrects limited ankle joint equinus by decreasing the pull of the triceps surae complex. The standard technique using 3-incision hemisection described by Hoke is often used in patients with diabetes because of the minimal number of incisions and low risk of wound complications. We describe a patient who underwent percutaneous tendo-Achilles lengthening with a resultant open wound complication requiring staged surgical debridement.

Lower Extremity Flap Salvage in Thrombophilic Patients: Managing Expectations in the Setting of Microvascular Thrombosis.

Background Undiagnosed thrombophilia is a risk factor for flap failure; however, its prevalence in patients undergoing microsurgical reconstruction is unknown. We present our experience with free tissue transfer (FTT) in a high-risk population of lower extremity patients with documented thrombophilia, identified through preoperative screening. Methods Between January 2012 and April 2014, 41 patients underwent 43 free flaps for nontraumatic, lower extremity reconstruction by a single surgeon. Patients were preoperatively screened for thrombophilia using historical information and standardized laboratory testing. Demographic data, perioperative management, outcomes, and salvage rates for thrombophilic and nonthrombophilic cohorts were compared. Results Routine preoperative screening identified 52 thrombophilic traits among 25 patients in this series (61%). The most common traits were the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 4G/5G variant (n = 12) and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C (n = 10) and C677T (n = 9) polymorphisms. While success rates were similar between thrombophilic and nonthrombophilic patients (84 vs. 94%; p = 0.15), thrombotic complications (25 vs. 14%; p = 0.09) and flap failure following postoperative thrombosis (100 vs. 33%; p = 0.05) appeared to be more common in patients with thrombophilia. On average, microvascular complications manifested later in the setting of thrombophilia (mean 4.8 days vs. 18 hours; p = 0.20) and were associated with a worse overall prognosis (salvage rate, 0 vs. 67%; p = 0.05). Conclusions Despite high success rates, thrombophilia appears to increase the risk of nonsalvageability following lower extremity FTT. This information should be used to help counsel patients regarding the risks and benefits of microsurgical reconstruction, as salvage rates following postoperative thrombotic events approach 0% in the presence of thrombophilia.

Reinforcement of the abdominal wall following breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps: a comparison of synthetic and biological mesh.

BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction using muscle-preserving abdominal flaps occasionally results in an abdominal bulge or hernia. The authors analyzed outcomes and complications following use of a synthetic or biological mesh for abdominal reinforcement following initial harvest or secondary repair of a bulge or hernia. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all patients (n = 818) who had abdominal flap-based breast reconstruction between 1995 and 2011. Ninety-seven patients met inclusion criteria; 61 had synthetic mesh and 36 had biological mesh (porcine acellular dermal matrix). Complications and outcomes were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine contributing factors and differences between cohorts. RESULTS: Overall complication rates for the synthetic and biological cohorts were 6.5 and 5.5 percent (p = 0.61), respectively, with slightly higher bulge rates in patients with synthetic compared with biological mesh (18 percent versus 8.3 percent; p = 0.25). Complication rates in primary and secondary placement of synthetic mesh were 5 and 7.3 percent, respectively; bulge rates were 15 and 19.5 percent, respectively. Complication rates in primary and secondary placement of biological mesh were 6.3 and 0 percent, respectively; bulge rates were 9.4 and 0 percent, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic and biological mesh reconstruction for primary abdominal repair and secondary contouring have similar, low complication rates. Postoperative abdominal wall laxity and bulge occurred in an equal distribution following unilateral or bilateral flap reconstruction. Early investigation demonstrates that porcine acellular dermal matrix is as effective as synthetic mesh for abdominal wall reinforcement and repair, with limited morbidity associated with each. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

The impact of negative-pressure wound therapy with instillation compared with standard negative-pressure wound therapy: a retrospective, historical, cohort, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Negative-pressure wound therapy with instillation is a novel wound therapy that combines negative pressure with instillation of a topical solution. METHODS: This retrospective, historical, cohort-control study examined the impact of negative-pressure wound therapy with and without instillation. RESULTS: One hundred forty-two patients (negative-pressure wound therapy, n = 74; therapy with instillation, 6-minute dwell time, n = 34; and therapy with instillation, 20-minute dwell time, n = 34) were included in the analysis. Number of operative visits was significantly lower for the 6- and 20-minute dwell time groups (2.4 ± 0.9 and 2.6 ± 0.9, respectively) compared with the no-instillation group (3.0 ± 0.9) (p ≤ 0.05). Hospital stay was significantly shorter for the 20-minute dwell time group (11.4 ± 5.1 days) compared with the no-instillation group (14.92 ± 9.23 days) (p ≤ 0.05). Time to final surgical procedure was significantly shorter for the 6- and 20-minute dwell time groups (7.8 ± 5.2 and 7.5 ± 3.1 days, respectively) compared with the no-instillation group (9.23 ± 5.2 days) (p ≤ 0.05). Percentage of wounds closed before discharge and culture improvement for Gram-positive bacteria was significantly higher for the 6-minute dwell time group (94 and 90 percent, respectively) compared with the no-instillation group (62 and 63 percent, respectively) (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The authors' results suggest that negative-pressure wound therapy with instillation (6- or 20-minute dwell time) is more beneficial than standard negative-pressure wound therapy for the adjunctive treatment of acutely and chronically infected wounds that require hospital admission. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Autologous fat grafting and injectable dermal fillers for human immunodeficiency virus-associated facial lipodystrophy: a comparison of safety, efficacy, and long-term treatment outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Facial lipoatrophy is a common side effect of human immunodeficiency virus treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy. To identify the most clinically durable and efficient way of addressing facial lipoatrophy, the authors reviewed all available evidence for the use of injectable dermal fillers and autologous fat transfers as treatment modalities, focusing on safety, outcomes, and long-term durability. METHODS: A systematic review of the Cochrane and MEDLINE databases for autologous fat transfer and injectable dermal fillers for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-associated lipodystrophy was performed. Based on U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in human immunodeficiency virus lipoatrophy, studies were limited to the use of hyaluronic acid and/or poly-L-lactic acid. Facial volume, subjective patient satisfaction, standardized outcome scales, reinjection rates, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included representing 724 patients, with 549 patients in the hyaluronic acid/poly-L-lactic acid cohort and 175 in the autologous fat transfer cohort. Improvements in facial volume and durability of treatment were similar between dermal fillers and fat transfer, as measured by both objective means and subjective patient outcomes. However, poly-L-lactic acid was reinjected at a rate three times that of autologous fat, and was associated with a relatively high rate of subcutaneous papule formation at 22 percent (range, 3 to 44 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Dermal fillers and autologous fat transfer are effective treatment modalities for human immunodeficiency virus-associated facial lipoatrophy, with high rates of facial volume restoration and patient satisfaction. Autologous fat transfer may offer similar to superior long-term durability but with less of a financial burden compared with injectable fillers.