Flap surgery to cover olecranon pressure ulcers in spinal cord injury patients.

In the quadriplegic patient, the periolecranon region is subjected to continuous and permanent mechanical shearing and pressure forces. As the sensation of this region is partially impaired secondary to the level of the spinal cord injury, this anatomical area is prone to develop bursitis and then a chronic open draining wound. This type of wound is refractory to conservative measures. Surgical closure of this functional area can represent a challenge to the plastic and reconstructive surgeon because not all of the surgical options available are suitable for spinal cord injury patients. Therefore, we describe our clinical experience, which consists of seven patients with traumatic complete quadriplegia treated between 1989 and 1998 (all patients were male) who presented with an open olecranon ulcer, septic bursitis, or aseptic bursitis, and who underwent surgical closure by direct closure, local arm fasciocutaneous flap, or cross-chest flap to cover the periolecranon soft-tissue defects. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 8 years (mean, 44 months). All types of flaps achieved wound closure without losing range of motion at the elbow; however, at 10 to 12 months after surgery, an olecranon pressure ulcer or septic bursitis recurred in three of seven patients. These three patients required surgical revision. The local fasciocutaneous rotational flap was found to be effective for closing periolecranon soft-tissue defects and can be reused in instances of recurrence. Patient education is essential to prevent re-ulceration in that functional area in the spinal cord injury patient.

The efficacy of single-stage surgical management of multiple pressure sores in spinal cord-injured patients.

The practice of multiple-stage management in the treatment of patients with multiple pressure ulcers has long represented the standard of care in many specialty centers. The authors have observed that an aggressive surgical approach has proved necessary for control of this devastating problem in these patients. Their experience with one-stage reconstruction of multiple pressure sores over a 10-year period (between 1986 and 1996) in 120 spinal cord-injured patients has revealed certain advantages of this comprehensive method of surgical management. Although cumulative operating time and intraoperative blood loss were somewhat increased, the number of anesthetic episodes and the hospital stay were less than that seen in patients managed in multiple stages. Accordingly, rehabilitation and societal reintegration can be initiated earlier, and overall hospital cost may be better contained.

Wound management in spinal infection.

Wound management in the spine-infected patient is a complex problem. Treatment is determined by the primary diagnosis, which may have bearing on wound healing. The most common site of wounds requiring plastic surgical intervention in the neurologically intact patient is in the posterior thoracic area. In spinal cord-injured patients, the most common site is in the lumbosacral area. The cause of these wounds are iatrogenic because of infection after attempted thoracic fusion in the first case. In the spinal cord-injured patient it is caused either by postoperative infection or extension of a pressure ulcer in the area of insensate skin. Preoperative preparation is a prerequisite before wound closure. Muscle and myocutaneous flaps represent the best options in managing these complex wounds.

Effect of electrical stimulation waveform on healing of ulcers in human beings with spinal cord injury.

Various electrical stimulation waveforms have been used to enhance wound healing, with little consideration for potential differences in their physiologic effect. The present study evaluated the effect of stimulation waveform and electrode placement on wound healing. Eighty patients with spinal cord injury and one or more pressure ulcers were treated. A total of 185 ulcers received 45 minutes of stimulation daily. Each ulcer was subjected to one of four treatment protocols: asymmetric biphasic waveform, symmetric biphasic waveform, microcurrent stim-ulation, or a sham control protocol. Electrodes were placed outside the wounds, over intact skin and surrounding the area of the ulcer. Data were categorized by ulcers which healed during the protocol and those which did not. Analysis of the "good response" ulcers (n = 104) showed significantly better healing rates for those receiving stimulation with the asymmetric biphasic waveform, compared with the control and microcurrent groups. Mean healing rates from the present study were similar to previously reported measures. The waveforms studied possessed minimal polar capabilities, and the electrodes were placed outside the wound. These data show that electrical stimulation clearly enhanced healing of pressure ulcers in a significant number of individuals with spinal cord injury; the physiologic implications of these findings relative to the mechanism(s) by which electrical stimulation enhances wound healing are discussed. However, extrapolation of these results to patients with other types of wounds must await further study.

The gluteus maximus muscle-splitting myocutaneous flap for treatment of sacral and coccygeal pressure ulcers.

We describe a modified technique using the gluteus maximum muscle as a splitting myocutaneous flap to close specifically low sacral and coccygeal pressure ulcers. Twenty-eight patients with sacral or coccygeal stage IV pressure ulcers (average size 4 x 4 cm) underwent a gluteus maximus muscle-splitting myocutaneous flap when conservative treatment failed to heal the ulcer. Twenty-seven of the 28 patients had complete healing of the pressure ulcer site at an average follow-up of 15 months (range 2 to 40 months). Complications occurred in 7 patients, requiring revision of the flap in 2 patients. The advantages of this technique include reduced blood loss, preservation of most of the gluteus maximus for future use, and retained function of the gluteus maximus for stair climbing and single-limb support in the ambulatory patient. We recommend the gluteus maximus muscle-splitting myocutaneous flap as the procedure of choice for closure of small low sacral or coccygeal ulcers in both the ambulatory and nonambulatory patient.

Closure of multiple pressure sores with split total thigh flap.

Pressure sores remain a pervasive and recurrent problem in the chronically bedridden and immobilized insensate patient populations, such as those with spinal cord injury. Various musculocutaneous flaps based on muscles of the buttock and thigh are routinely used to close primary, uncomplicated ulcers. The gluteus maximus, tensor fascia lata, and posterior thigh muscles, for example, can be used to close the majority of primary defects. In the case of extensive and recurrent ulceration, however, particularly when the hip joint or proximal femur is infected or marked heterotopic ossification is present, these conventional flaps are inadequate. The total thigh flap offers a solution to some of these problems by providing a large volume of tissue as a unit to cover the defects, particularly in cases in which other reconstructive options have been exhausted. We describe a modification in the total thigh flap procedure by splitting the flap according to its vascularity to achieve closure of multiple pressure ulcers in a one-stage procedure.

Diagnosis and treatment of iliopsoas abscess in spinal cord injury patients.

Six patients with spinal cord injury and iliopsoas abscess and other complicating conditions were evaluated with computed tomography (CT), conventional radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and radionuclide scans. CT identified the presence of psoas abscess and revealed the depth, extent, and relationship of deep pressure ulcers to deep structures. CT-guided aspiration of the abscess cavities was performed in three patients, with placement of drainage catheters. Concurrent treatment with appropriate antibiotics, followed by staged myocutaneous flap coverage resulted successful outcomes in all patients. A high index of suspicion aids in the early diagnosis of psoas abscess in the SCI patient, as interpretations of physical examination are obscured by the lack of localizing findings. We believe that CT is the diagnostic and therapeutic modality of choice in the management of these complex conditions in the SCI patient, because of its superior ability to detect pathologic changes in the pelvic region and for decreasing the morbidity of the treatment by avoiding open surgery in these often suboptimal surgical candidates.

Postoperative wound infections following myocutaneous flap surgery in spinal injury patients.

Severe pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injury are frequently treated by using musculocutaneous (m-c) flap surgery. There have been few studies of the use of perioperative antibiotics to prevent postoperative infection in this setting. We reviewed 74 m-c flap surgeries in 53 patients (41 male and 12 female) from October 1989 for one year. The sites involved were ischial (31), sacral (24), trochanteric (18), deltoid (2), olecranon (1) and posterior thigh (1). An antibiotic was usually administered perioperatively for 5 days. Patients were followed for a median of 30 (8-96) weeks. Postoperative infections occurred at a median of 12 (4-25) days in 6 of 74 (8%) surgeries. The organisms cultured from the 6 infected wounds were: Bacteroides sp. (4), Proteus mirabilis (2), E. coli (2), MRSA (2), and others (6--each isolated once). These results indicate that antibiotics did not prevent postoperative infection in approximately 8% of patients undergoing m-c surgery. The frequency of isolation of Bacteroides sp. from these infections suggests that anaerobic bacteria may persist in healing pressure ulcers and perioperative antibiotics might include coverage for anaerobic bacteria.

Heterotopic ossification as a complication of the staged total thigh muscles flap in spinal cord injury patients.

Between 1980 and 1990, 24 total thigh flap procedures were performed at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center (Downey, CA) by the Pressure Ulcer Management Service. An unexpected occurrence was identified, that is, the rapid development of heterotopic ossification (HO) occurring in the exposed muscle flap between the first and second stages. There were 15 two-stage total thigh flap procedures on 14 patients performed between 1980 and 1990. Of these 15 flap procedures, 11 in 10 patients were found to have HO evident at the second-stage debridement/closure. In comparing our findings with those in other studies (earliest evidence of HO at 19 days), the initial presentation of HO in affected tissues might be even earlier than previously detected. The risks and technical difficulties due to development of HO associated with the two-stage total thigh flap procedure point toward future modifications in preoperative planning that may prove beneficial. Therefore, if the two-stage total thigh flap procedure is necessary, the interval between initial debridement/disarticulation (stage 1) and definitive flap closure (stage 2) should be kept to an absolute minimum. Additionally, HO medicinal prophylaxis (that is, indomethacin or diphosphonates) or radiation after the first stage of the total thigh flap procedure should be considered. Our final conclusion is that the total thigh flap procedure should be done as a one-stage procedure if possible.

Septic ischial bursitis in patients with spinal cord injury.

Septic ischial bursitis is described in 4 patients with spinal cord injury. In these patients a pre-existing ischial bursitis probably became secondarily infected. Because these patients lack sensation, diagnosis may be difficult. The disease process in one patient with a prolonged fever was only recognized after a leucocyte scan detected an abscess extending to the thigh. At surgery it was found that the infection extended from the ischial bursa to the upper lateral thigh. Infection in these patients was due to beta hemolytic streptococcus, S. aureus, and S. epidermidis. The patients all responded well to local drainage and excision of the bursa.

Proximal femoral resection and myocutaneous flap for treatment of pressure ulcers in spinal injury patients.

A radical proximal femoral resection and flap procedure were used to treat infected trochanteric ulcers communicating with the hip joint in patients with spinal cord injuries. Postoperatively, femoral motion and pistoning were prevented by an abduction pillow and antispasmodic medication. The results of 25 patients and 26 hips with an average follow-up of 14.5 months are presented. Wound closure was achieved in 24 of 26 hips while patients were in the hospital. All wounds eventually healed, and all infections were eradicated. Seven patients had associated clinically significant heterotopic ossification. All of these patients had elimination of infection and postoperative restoration of wheelchair sitting. It is concluded that this radical procedure is extremely effective in treating deep, recalcitrant trochanteric ulcers around the hip. The procedure may potentially be used to treat heterotopic ossification about the hip and restore sitting capability in patients with spinal cord injuries.

Motor point delineation of the gluteus medius muscle for functional electrical stimulation: an in vivo anatomic study.

The purpose of this study was to delineate the motor point region of the gluteus medius muscle to aid in placing epimysial electrodes for functional electrical stimulation. Seven surgically dissected gluteus medius muscles were studied in five patients. The lateral surface of the muscle was sequentially probed with an electrical stimulator. The motor point region, which responded maximally to an applied electric current, was located on the posterolateral aspect of the muscle, adjacent to the superior margin of the piriformis, 3 cm lateral to the greater sciatic notch; it was rectangular or oval, measuring approximately 3.5 cm by 3.0 cm. The mean threshold current that produced a contraction was 14 mA (range = 2 to 26 mA). The mean minimum current required to produce a maximum contraction was 34 mA (range = 11 to 60 mA). This information provides guidelines for the placement of electrodes for functional electrical stimulation of this deeply situated muscle, and it provides electrical stimulation parameters required for adequate muscle activation.

Myocutaneous flaps. Surgical treatment of severe pressure ulcers.

Surgical treatment of pressure ulcers using the myocutaneous flap procedure is a relatively new approach for patients with spinal injuries. First, the pressure ulcers are treated conservatively; however, if they become large or infected, surgery is considered. We have performed approximately 1,500 of these surgeries in the past five years. Only 5% of the cases have developed complications. The primary complication experienced was small wound dehiscence, which we attributed to mechanical interference with wound healing. We attribute the overall success of these surgeries to the rigid protocol and interdisciplinary approach to management.

Blisters, cooling, antithromboxanes, and healing in experimental zone-of-stasis burns.

To appraise the ability of each to improve wound healing in zone-of-stasis burns (i.e., burns becoming progressively more ischemic early postburn), 1) an antithromboxane (dipyridamol PO immediately postburn), 2) burn-wound cooling, 3) their combination, or 4) no treatment was administered to burned guinea pigs half of which had burn blisters removed immediately postburn (PB). In all groups with blisters removed whole-thickness or very deep partial-thickness skin loss occurred. In all groups with blisters intact complete reversal of ischemia occurred without necrosis and, while dipyridamol and cooling each diminished stasis early PB, only cooled wounds showed any improved retention of hair follicles at 3 weeks PB. In this model, therefore: 1) blister removal eliminated any therapeutic effect of cooling or dipyridamol; 2) in burns with blisters intact, absorbed heat appeared at least as detrimental to healing as stasis, and 3) some of the beneficial effects of cooling appeared unrelated to prevention of stasis.