Are surgeons ready to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

BACKGROUND: Vaccination against COVID-19 has started in several countries already and is on its way in others. However, there is an important hesitance towards the vaccine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the vaccination hesitance and main concerns towards the vaccine among surgeons. METHODS: An anonymous survey of 16 questions was sent to 138 Belgian surgeons before the start of vaccination in Belgium. The questions were divided into sections, evaluating demographics, COVID-19 test status and symptoms, the surgeon's opinion on the COVID-19 vaccination and their main concerns. RESULTS: Ninety-three out of 138 surgeons (67.4%) completed the survey: two-third of them were residents. Sixty-nine surgeons (74.2%) do want to get vaccinated. Forty-two surgeons (45.2%) feel like they do not have enough information about the vaccine. Residents feel significantly more underinformed than consultants (52.3% and 29.0%, respectively). Surgeons who feel to be well-informed are more willing to get vaccinated (92.2%) compared to those who feel to have a lack of information (52.4%). The main concerns among surgeons include effectiveness (26.9%), safety and side effects (19.4%) and organisation and vaccination strategy (12.9%). Twenty-five surgeons (26.9%) have no concerns at all. CONCLUSION: Most surgeons (74.2%) are ready for their COVID-19 vaccine. However, some of the surgeons are still doubtful about the vaccine. A lack of information plays a major role in their scepticism. A strong communication strategy is necessary to educate, reassure and motivate surgeons to get vaccinated.

Ten-year follow-up of a case of necrotizing fasciitis successfully treated with negative-pressure wound therapy, dermal regeneration template application, and split- thickness skin autograft.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive and often fatal infection of the fasciae and subcutaneous tissues. PATIENT AND METHODS: In this case report, we present the treatment of a 63-year-old patient suffering from diabetes mellitus, who was admitted to the emergency unit for severe right gluteal pain, which had begun 24 hours before admission. Cutaneous symptoms, oliguria, metabolic acidosis, acute renal failure, severe hypotension, and tachycardia occurred, and the patient was admitted to Intensive Care a few hours after initial admission. The patient underwent a debridement of gluteal, abdominal, lower-thoracic, and upper thigh regions. Biopsy of fascia lata confirmed the suspected diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis. Treatment included prompt surgical debridement, negative-pressure wound therapy, and dermal regeneration template application with fibrin glue, and subsequent split-thickness skin autografting. RESULTS: After 10 years, elasticity of the skin and limb mobility are comparable to that in non-injured areas, and the patient is pain free. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, this combination should be a treatment of choice for large wounds in the patients with NF with multiple comorbidities.