ABSTRACT
RATIONALE: Skin breakdown, as in wounds, leads to an electric potential, defined as current of injury with the intent of wound closure. Burn wounds are defined by different zones of perfusion having a direct influence on further therapy (e.g. conservative management or skin grafting). We studied immediate, quantifiable effects of electric stimulation on skin perfusion in burn wounds. METHOD: Wireless Microcurrent Stimulation (WMCS) was utilised as an adjunct therapeutic modality in 10 patients with partial thickness burn wounds. Microcirculation in the skin was quantified with a Laser Doppler (LDI) before and after WMCS treatment. We included a control group of 10 healthy individuals. RESULTS: A single application of WMCS significantly increased mean flow, velocity and subsequently, haemoglobin and oxygen saturation in partial thickness burn wounds. In healthy skin these parameters increased, but were far less pronounced than in thermally injured skin. CONCLUSION: This study revealed, for the first time that non-contact WMCS improves blood flow in critically perfused partial thickness burn wounds without disturbing the wound or systemically affecting the patient and may represent a promising adjunct tool in burn treatment, with the potential of faster healing by enhanced perfusion of burn wounds and reduction of the zone of stasis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
Subject(s)
Burns , Burns/surgery , Humans , Microcirculation , Skin/blood supply , Skin Transplantation , Wound Healing/physiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome, a compressive neuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist and cubital tunnel syndrome, a compressive neuropathy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, are the two most common peripheral nerve compression syndromes. Chronic compressive neuropathy of peripheral nerves causes pain, paraesthesia and paresis. Treatment strategies include conservative options, but only surgical decompression can resolve the mechanical entrapment of the nerve with proven good clinical results. However, revision rates for persistent or recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome is estimated at around 5% and for refractory cubital tunnel syndrome at around 19%. Common causes for failure include incomplete release of the entrapment and postoperative perineural scarring. THERAPY: Precise diagnostic work-up is obligatory before revision surgery. The strategy of revision surgery is first complete decompression of the affected nerve and then providing a healthy, vascularized perineural environment to allow nerve gliding and nerve healing and to avoid recurrent scarring. Various surgical options may be considered in revision surgery, including neurolysis, nerve wrapping and nerve repair. In addition, flaps may provide a well vascularized nerve coverage in the case of recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome. In the case of recurrent cubital tunnel syndrome, anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is mostly performed for this purpose. RESULTS: In general, revision surgery leads to improvement of symptoms, although the outcome of revision surgery is less favourable than after primary surgery and complete resolution of symptoms is unlikely.
Subject(s)
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome , Reoperation , Cubital Tunnel Syndrome/surgery , Decompression, Surgical , Humans , Neurosurgical Procedures , Ulnar NerveABSTRACT
Fibromata pendulantia often appear as small filiform skin tags with a narrow pedicle in the neck, axilla and groin areas. Hitherto, extensive fibromata pendulantia were resected either surgically (curette, scissors, scalpel) or by laser. The present case study of an adipose patient with disseminated fibromata pendulantia in the axillary region in the setting of pseudoacanthosis nigricans introduces the Versajet hydrosurgery technique as an alternative method. It is able to remove tissue and rinse the wound simultaneously by means of a high-pressure water jet.
