Paget-Schroetter syndrome: the importance of early detection and effective surgical intervention.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) is relatively rare condition of thoracic outlet syndrome characterized by thrombosis or blood clot formation in the subclavian vein. Due to the non-specific symptoms and low incidence rate, PSS is frequently missed by medical professionals, and as such it often leads to wrong diagnosis and untreated patients. We present the case of a 30-year-old CrossFit trainer who developed a thrombosis of the subclavian vein. Initially, the patient consulted an internist after experiencing swelling in the right shoulder region and discoloration of the right upper extremity. Angiography revealed occlusion of the subclavian vein and anticoagulant therapy was prescribed. For more than a year, the patient's symptoms remained unchanged, and the subclavian vein occlusion persisted. Venography suspected effort thrombosis of the subclavian vein. The patient underwent surgery for decompression of the subclavian vein. After six months, results from post-operative computed tomography angiography showed that venous flow was fully restored and no pathology of the venous vessel wall could be demonstrated. This report aims to increase awareness of PSS among medical professionals, leading to earlier diagnosis and adequate clinical-surgical management.

WALANT as an Optimal Approach in Hand Surgery during Pandemics.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic imposed fundamental changes in the field of surgery. Reorganization was made in order to adequately treat the patients during the pandemic. WALANT (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet) approach was found to be a very convenient method in facilitating continuity in hand surgery with limited staff. A retrospective comparative study was performed between period of April 2020 till September 2021 at our clinic to evaluate advantages of WALANT approach. This study included 136 patients, from which 72 (53%) were operated with WALANT, compared to the control group of 64 (47%) patients without WALANT. Average hospital stay for the WALANT group was 2.2 days vs. 4.7 days for the control group. Average operating room personnel were 3.8 for WALANT and 6.2 for the control non-WALANT group. Intraoperative and postoperative VAS (visual analogue scale) score was evaluated. Due to its diversity, low cost and low complication rate, we recommend WALANT approach in acute and elective hand surgery.

Prophylactic Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces in Elective Lower Limb Amputations.

Regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) is a relatively new surgical technique to manage neuromas and phantom pain after limb amputation. This study evaluates prophylactic RPNI efficacy in managing post-amputation pain and neuroma formation in amputees compared with patients in which lower limb amputation was performed without this procedure. We included 28 patients who underwent above the knee amputation (AKA) or below the knee amputation (BKA) for severe soft tissue infection from July 2019 till December 2020. All patients had insulin-dependent diabetes. The patients were divided into two groups, 14 patients with primary RPNI and 14 patients without. We analyzed the demographic data, level of amputation, number of RPNIs, operative time, postoperative complications and functional outcome on the defined follow up period. The mean patient age was 68.6 years (range 49-85), 19 (67.9 %) male and 9 (32.1 %) female patients. In this study 11 (39.3 %) AKA and 17 (60.7 %) BKA were performed. Overall, 37 RPNIs were made. The mean follow-up period was 49 weeks. PROMIS T-score decreased by 15.9 points in favor for the patients with RPNI. The VAS score showed that, in the RPNI group, all 14 patients were without pain compared to the group of patients without RPNI, where the 11 (78.6 %) patients described their pain as severe. Patients with RPNI used prosthesis significantly more (p < 0.005). Data showed significant reduction in pain and high patient satisfaction after amputation with RPNIs. This technique is oriented as to prevent neuroma formation with RPNI surgery, performed at the time of amputation. RPNI surgery did not provoke complications or significant lengthening of operative time and it should be furthermore exploited as a surgical technique.

Brachial Plexus Injuries - Review of the Anatomy and the Treatment Options.

Brachial plexus injuries are still challenging for every surgeon taking part in treating patients with BPI. Injuries of the brachial plexus can be divided into injuries of the upper trunk, extended upper trunk, injuries of the lower trunk and swinging hand where all of the roots are involved in this type of the injury. Brachial plexus can be divided in five anatomical sections from its roots to its terminal branches: roots, trunks, division, cords and terminal branches. Brachial plexus ends up as five terminal branches, responsible for upper limb innervation, musculocutaneous, median nerve, axillary nerve, radial and ulnar nerve. According to the findings from the preoperative investigation combined with clinically found functional deficit, the type of BPI will be confirmed and that is going to determine which surgical procedure, from variety of them (neurolysis, nerve graft, neurotization, arthrodesis, tendon transfer, free muscle transfer, bionic reconstruction) is appropriate for treating the patient.

Platlet-Rich Plasma - Review of Literature.

Wound healing is a dynamic and physiological process for restoring the normal architecture and functionality of damaged tissue. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous whole blood product that contains a large number of platelets in a small volume of plasma with complete set of coagulation factors, which are in physiological concentrations. PRP has haemostatic, adhesive properties and acts supraphysiologically in the process of wound healing and osteogenesis. Platelets play a very important role in the wound healing process by providing growth factors that enhance the rate and quality of wound healing by many different mechanisms. The aim of this review is to describe: the biology of platelets and their role in the wound healing process, the terminology of platelet rich products, PRP preparation, activation and concentration of PRP, as well as the use of PRP in plastic surgery.

Challenging Treatment of a Female Patient with Extensive Fournier's Gangrene - Case Report.

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a necrotizing fasciitis of the genital, perianal and perineal regions, caused by multiple anaerobic/aerobic infection. It is a rare but very serious condition with multiple long-term complications and high mortality rate. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach in treatment of complicated cases of FG are crucial to the successful outcome. We report a case of an extensive FG in a 59-years-old female patient with multiple risk factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. She was hospitalized as an emergency case with diabetic ketoacidosis, sepsis and extensive necrotic lesions located perineal, perianal, genital and spread to inguinal, hypogastric, gluteal and sacrococcygeal region. Fournier's gangrene was diagnosed, and after prompt resuscitation, intravenous fluids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, insulin infusion, emergency aggressive surgical debridement was performed. Several aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated from wound culture and hemoculture. Patient has second debridement after four days. After second debridement was applied metabolic control, broad-spectrum antibiotics coverage, dressing the wound and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Patient was discharged home five weeks after a second debridement in good condition. One month later she underwent reconstructive surgical treatment. Besides extensive FG and multiple comorbidity she was successfully managed with good outcome. Fournier's gangrene remains a life-threatening and fulminant disease which need urgent diagnosis and aggressive medical and surgical treatment, to achieve a reduction in long term complications and mortality rate.

Treatment of Decubitis Ulcer Stage IV in the Patient with Polytrauma and Vertical Share Pelvic Fracture, Diagnosed Entherocollitis and Deep Wound Infection with Clostridium Difficile with Combined Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) and Faecal Management System: Case Report.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to present a case with the successful treatment of decubitis ulcer stage IV in the patient with polytrauma and vertical share pelvic fracture and diagnosed entherocollitis combined with deep wound infection with Clostridium difficile treated with combined Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) and faecal management system. CASE REPORT: Patient D.S.1967 treated on Traumatology Clinic after tentamen suicide on 9.2.2015 with diagnosis: brain contusion; contusion of thoracal space; vertical share pelvic fracture; open fracture type II of the right calcaneus; fracture of the left calcaneus; fracture on the typical place of the left radius; fracture of the right radius with dislocation. As a first step during the treatment in Intensive care unit we perform transcondylar extension of the left leg, and in that time we cannot operate because of the brain contusion. Four weeks after this treatment we intent to perform stabilisation of the pelvic ring, fixation of both arms, and fixation of both calcanear bones. But at the time before performing the saurgery, the patient got an intensive enterocollitis from Escherichia colli and Clostridium difficile, and during the inadequate treatment of enterocollitis she got a big decubitus on both gluteal regia Grade IV and deep muscular necrosis. Several times we perform a necrectomy of necrotic tissue but the wound become bigger and the infection have a progressive intention. In that time we used VAK system for 6 weeks combined with faecal management system and with local necrectomy and system application of Antibiotics and Flagyl for enterocollitis in doses prescripted from specialists from Infective clinic. This new device to manage faecal deep decubital infection and enterocollitis with Clostridium difficile are considered as adequate. 8Flexi-Seal® FMS has been also used. After two months we succeed to minimize the gluteal wound on quoter from the situation from the beginning and we used for next two months wound treatment from Departement for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. CONCLUSION: When faecal incontinence as a result of enterocollitis with Clostridium difficile does occur, a limiting contact with the patient's skin is extremely important as breakdown can occur rapidly. In addition to tissue injury, faecal incontinence can have a major impact on the patient's dignity and result in prolonged hospital stay. The main outcomes assested in the case studies were resolution of of decubital ulcers as a result of faecal incontinence, patient comfort and ease of application of the FMS and NPWT. The soft flexible catheter was easily inserted without discomfort to the patients. It gently conformed to the rectal vault, reducing significantly the risk of necrosis, and the risk for prolonged necrosis in cases with previously developed necrosis. FMS was successful in diverting faecal fluid away from the perineal tissue and resolved any decubitus ulcer developed previously in combination with use of NPWT. So, we can recommend this combination in those cases especially with polytraumatismus, vertical share pelvis fracture combined with diarrhea and deep wound infection of decubital ulcers Grade IV infected with Cl. difficile.

Molecular Biology and Genetic Mechanisms in the Progression of the Malignant Skin Melanoma.

Malignant skin melanoma is a tumor deriving from transformed skin melanocytes as a result of complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. This melanoma has a potential to metastasize early and very often it is resistant to the existing modalities of the systemic therapy. As in any other neoplasms, certain types of melanoma may skip certain stages of progression. The progression from one stage to another is accompanied by specific biological changes. Several key changes in the melanoma tumorogenesis influence the regulation of the cell proliferation and vitality, including the RAS-RAF-ERK, PI3K-AKT, and p16INK4/CDK4/RB pathways. A key role in the dissreguarity of the RAS-RAF-ERK (MAPK) pathway in the malignant melanoma development have been demonstrated by many studies. To date, the molecular genetic alterations during melanoma development have been partially known. In the pathogenesis of the malignant melanoma, there are mutations of various genes such as NRAS, BRAF, and PTEN and mutations and deletions of CDKN2A. In the past years, great advance has been made in the insights of the molecular aspects of the melanoma pathogenesis. However, this field yet poses a challenge to discover new details about the melanoma molecular characteristics. The research results are focused towards the improvement of the melanoma patients prognosis by introducing personalized targeted therapy.