Meek Micro-Skin Grafting and Acellular Dermal Matrix in Pediatric Patients: A Novel Approach to Massive Extravasation Injury.

(1) Background: Extravasation injuries in pediatric patients can lead to significant harm if they are not promptly diagnosed and treated. However, evidence-based standardization on extravasation management remains limited, particularly for extensive wound necrosis. This case report presents the management of an 8-week-old premature patient with an extensive extravasation injury involving the right forearm and dorsum of the hand. (2) Methods: The patient was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Surgical intervention involved the debridement of necrotic tissues, followed by temporary coverage with an acellular dermal matrix. Definitive coverage was achieved through Meek micrografting after three weeks. Physical therapy was provided with pre- and post-rehabilitation range of motion assessed using goniometric measurements. Scar quality was evaluated using the Vancouver Scar Scale. (3) Results: The engraftment rate of the Meek micrografts was 93%, with 16 out of 226 micrografts lost. The patient achieved a Vancouver Scar Scale score of 6, indicating a moderate degree of scarring. Significant improvements in elbow, wrist, and finger joint range of motion were observed at a 1-year follow-up. (4) Conclusions: Close observation and heightened awareness of extravasation risks by trained personnel are crucial. Meek micrografting combined with dermal substitute coverage represents an innovative approach to managing extravasation wounds in pediatric patients.

Local device infection successfully treated without pacemaker removal in a neonate: a case report.

AIMS: Local device infection is a serious complication, especially in neonates. Complete device removal is the gold standard treatment for cardiac device infection; however, in selected cases alternative strategies could be adopted. We describe a case of a 14-day-old neonate, weighing 2.5kg, who had undergone epicardial double chamber pacemaker implantation for a congenital complete atrioventricular block. The generator pocket was created in the epigastric area below the rectus abdominis. At six days after implantation, pocket infection was found; blood cultures and the transoesophageal echocardiogram were normal. Due to the low weight of the neonate, and the limited possibility of finding a new comfortable site for housing the generator far from the infected area, we opted for a conservative strategy. We successfully applied a combination of antibiotic therapy, a vacuum-assisted wound closure system (KCI, Germany) for 40 days, and then skin transfer flap from the right flank without device removal. At one-year follow-up there were no local or systemic signs of infection.

Italian recommendations on enzymatic debridement in burn surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Nexobrid®, a bromelain-based type of enzymatic debridement, has become more prevalent in recent years. We present the recommendations on enzymatic debridement (Nexobrid®)'s role based on the practice knowledge of expert Italian users. METHODS: The Italian recommendations, endorsed by SIUST (Italian Society of Burn Surgery), on using enzymatic debridement to remove eschars for burn treatment were defined. The definition followed a process to evaluate the level of agreement (a measure of consensus) among selected experts, representing Italian burn centers, concerning defined clinical aspects of enzymatic debridement. The consensus involved a multi-phase process based on the Delphi method. RESULTS: The consensus panel included experts from Italy with a combined experience of 1068 burn patients treated with enzymatic debridement. At the end of round 3 of the Delphi method, the panel reached 100% consensus on 26 out of 27 statements. The panel achieved full, strong consensus (all respondents strongly agreed on the statement) on 24 out of 27 statements. DISCUSSION: The statements provided by the Italian consensus panel represent a "ready to use" set of recommendations for enzymatic debridement in burn surgery that both draw from and complete the existing scientific literature on the topic. These recommendations are specific to the Italian experience and are neither static nor definitive. As such, they will be updated periodically as further quality evidence becomes available.

Use of the Stromal Vascular Fraction in Intermediate-Deep Acute Burns: A Case With Its Own Control.

We present a case of symmetrical thermal intermediate-deep burns treated in a case-control fashion with the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) obtained with the MyStem™ device and a scaffold of hyaluronic acid. After enzymatic debridement and SVF harvesting and application, we observed quicker healing (as assessed by wound area histogram planimetry) in the case area as opposed to the control one, which eventually underwent skin grafting. At the 3 months follow-up, the Vancouver Scar Scale was 9 for the case side and 10 for the control side, with a tendency to hypertrophic scarring in both areas, while patient satisfaction Visual Analogue Scale was 7 for the case side and 2 for the control side. CD31 expression, a marker of neoangiogenesis, was significantly higher in the case area as compared to the control one. SVF could potentially represent a valid alternative to the current standard of care, with a decreased need of invasive surgery and consequent improved patients' quality of life.

Cost Analysis of a Novel Enzymatic Debriding Agent for Management of Burn Wounds.

Introduction. Given its efficacy and safety, NexoBrid™ (NXB) has become part of our therapeutic options in burns treatment with satisfactory results. However, no cost analysis comparing NXB to the standard of care (SOC) has been carried out as of today. Aim. To assess the cost of treatment with NXB and compare it to the SOC cost. Methods. 20 patients with 14-22% of TBSA with an intermediate-deep thermal burn related injury were retrospectively and consecutively included. 10 of these patients were treated with the SOC, while the other 10 with NXB. The cost analysis was performed in accordance with the weighted average Italian Health Ministry DRGs and with Conferenza Stato/Regioni 2003 and the study by Tan et al. For each cost, 95% confidence intervals have been evaluated. Results. Considering the 10 patients treated with NXB, the overall savings (total net saving) amounted to 53300 euros. The confidence interval analysis confirmed the savings. Discussion. As shown by our preliminary results, significant savings are obtained with the use of NXB. The limit of our study is that it is based on Italian health care costs and assesses a relative small cohort of patients. Further studies on larger multinational cohorts are warranted.

Management of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis with Plasmapheresis and Cyclosporine A: Our 10 Years' Experience.

BACKGROUND: The management of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is controversial and there is no uniform strategy. OBJECTIVE: To share our 10 years' experience in treating severe TEN with a novel protocol based on the association of cyclosporine A and plasmapheresis. METHODS: In this case series, we retrospectively collected and assessed the 12 cases of severe TEN treated from 2005 to 2015 at the Burn Unit of the University of Bari Policlinico hospital. RESULTS: Average body surface area was 77; average SCORETEN was 4.3. The 12 patients had been treated with culprit drug withdrawal, systemic corticosteroids, and/or cyclosporine A with no response. The protocol was successfully administered in all 12 cases. Average time to response from protocol start was 4.9 days. Average time to remission from protocol start was 22 days; average hospital stay at our unit was 24.8 days. Four patients developed severe complications; 1 patient died. No complications linked to the protocol therapeutic measures were observed. The relatively small number of cases given the rarity of the condition is a limitation of this report. CONCLUSION: Our protocol based on the association of cyclosporine A and plasmapheresis is safe and efficacious in treating severe TEN.

Bio-Engineering tissue and V.A.C. therapy: A new method for the treatment of extensive necrotizing infection in the diabetic foot.

AIM: The aim of the study is to compare the standard care for progressive necrotizing infection in diabetic foot with a treatment protocol based on the association between autologous fibroblast grafts and vacuum-assisted closure therapy (V.A.C.). MATERIAL OF STUDY: A retrospective matched Case-Control study was carried out on 20 patients with diabetic foot infection, 10 treated with the standard care and 10 with our new protocol. Inclusion criteria were: acute diabetic foot necrosis (Wagner III and IV), ulcer size (30 to 80 cm2), tendon and bone exposure. Success in the treatment was evaluated as: percentage of healing at the 20th week, time of healing, deambulation, recurrence and major amputation rate. RESULTS: A 90% healing rate was observed after 20 weeks in the study group, compared to a 28.6% in the control group. The recurrence rate in the treated areas was 20% in the study group and 100% in the control group. None of the patients in either group required major amputations. DISCUSSION: We achieved very promising results by associating autologous fibroblasts grafts and V.A.C. therapy, in comparison with standard care. V.A.C. therapy seems to improve the growth rate of the fibroblasts, probably by sealing the wound and providing a moist environment following the fibroblast graft. The improved neoangiogenesis of the neo-dermis could explain the reduced recurrence rate of the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low number of patients involved and the retrospective nature of the analysis, this study showed a reliable, safe and cost-effective method of treating extensive infection in the diabetic foot. KEY WORDS: Bio-Engineered Tissue, Diabetic foot, Fibroblast graft, V.A.C.

A new protocol for the treatment of the chronic venous ulcers of the lower limb.

Venous leg ulcer is a pathological condition afflicting prevalently elderly patients, which has been found to have a major impact on individuals' health and social aspects of quality of life. Actually, the best practice treatment is recommended to include wound dressing and multilayer compression therapy. In this study, we have tested the effectiveness and safety of Vulnamin(®), a novel dressing in the form of a metal cellulose gel containing the amino acids glycine, L: -lysine, L: -proline, L: -leucine, and hyaluronic acid, and elastic compressive bandages in the treatment of chronic venous ulcers of the lower limbs. The study has been conducted in two groups of patients, one treated with Vulnamin(®) plus Ca-alginate (ulcer duration = 25.4 ± 6.2 weeks; mean baseline ulcer area = 13.9 ± 4.5 cm(2)) and a control group treated with Ca-alginate alone (ulcer duration = 23.4 ± 4.2 weeks; mean baseline ulcer area = 15.1 ± 4.7 cm(2)). Results have shown that after 70 days of treatment patients significantly ameliorate their pathological condition if they are treated with Vulnamin(®), as compared with patients treated with Ca-alginate alone. In fact, at the end of the treatment, complete healing closure was 61% in the group treated with Vulnamin(®) and, respectively, 27% in the control group. Moreover, ulcer areas showed a significant reduction in patients treated with Vulnamin(®) (mean ulcer area = 3.04 ± 0.8 cm(2)), as compared with controls (mean ulcer area = 10.96 ± 3.8 cm(2)). Overall, the results of this study indicate that Vulnamin(®) together with elastocompression is safe and more effective than standard dressing together with elastocompression in inducing a faster healing in chronic venous ulcers of the lower limb.

The management of neuropathic ulcers of the foot in diabetes by shock wave therapy.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is becoming one of the most common chronic diseases, and ulcers are its most serious complication. Beginning with neuropathy, the subsequent foot wounds frequently lead to lower extremity amputation, even in the absence of critical limb ischemia. In recent years, some researchers have studied external shock wave therapy (ESWT) as a new approach to soft tissue wound healing. The rationale of this study was to evaluate if ESWT is effective in the management of neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers. METHODS: We designed a randomized, prospective, controlled study in which we recruited 30 patients affected by neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers and then divided them into two groups based on different management strategies. One group was treated with standard care and shock wave therapy. The other group was treated with only standard care. The healing of the ulcers was evaluated over 20 weeks by the rate of re-epithelization. RESULTS: After 20 weeks of treatment, 53.33% of the ESWT-treated patients had complete wound closure compared with 33.33% of the control patients, and the healing times were 60.8 and 82.2 days, respectively (p < 0.001). Significant differences in the index of the re-epithelization were observed between the two groups, with values of 2.97 mm2/die in the ESWT-group and 1.30 mm2/die in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Therefore, ESWT may be a useful adjunct in the management of diabetic foot ulceration.

Ibuprofen slow-release foam dressing reduces wound pain in painful exuding wounds: preliminary findings from an international real-life study.

BACKGROUND: Wound pain is a serious problem for people with chronic wounds. The aim of this real-life study was to compare the effect of a foam dressing that releases ibuprofen (Biatain Ibu) with local best practice on the treatment of painful exuding wounds. METHODS: A total of 185 patients with painful exuding wounds were randomized to either ibuprofen foam treatment (n = 98) or local best practice (n = 87). The primary endpoint was pain relief over 7 days of treatment, assessed daily using a 5-point verbal rating scale (no relief, slight relief, moderate relief, lots of relief, and complete relief). Secondary endpoints included a total reduction in pain intensity for the whole study period (using an 11-point Numeric Box Scale: 0 = no pain to 10 = worst possible pain) and incidence of adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: More patients in the ibuprofen foam treatment group reported wound pain relief and lower wound pain intensity values after 7 days (p < 0.0001 for both variables). Within the four most common ulcer aetiolgies, patients reported significantly more effective pain relief with ibuprofen foam treatment (venous: p = 0.009, mixed arterial venous: p < 0.0001, arterial: p = 0.0009, and vasculitis: p = 0.009). In all groups, patients from the ibuprofen foam group reported lower pain intensities. The results were significant for patients with venous (p < 0.002) and arterial (p < 0.0001) leg ulcers. Two AEs were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The ibuprofen foam represents an effective and safe alternative to local best practice in the management of painful exuding wounds.

Sirolimus for Kaposi's sarcoma in renal-transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Recipients of organ transplants are susceptible to Kaposi's sarcoma as a result of treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. Sirolimus (rapamycin), an immunosuppressive drug, may also have antitumor effects. METHODS: We stopped cyclosporine therapy in 15 kidney-transplant recipients who had biopsy-proven Kaposi's sarcoma and began sirolimus therapy. All patients underwent an excisional biopsy of the lesion and one biopsy of normal skin at the time of diagnosis. A second biopsy was performed at the site of a previous Kaposi's sarcoma lesion six months after sirolimus therapy was begun. We examined biopsy specimens for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Flk-1/KDR protein, and phosphorylated Akt and p70S6 kinase, two enzymes in the signaling pathway targeted by sirolimus. RESULTS: Three months after sirolimus therapy was begun, all cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma lesions had disappeared in all patients. Remission was confirmed histologically in all patients six months after sirolimus therapy was begun. There were no acute episodes of rejection or changes in kidney-graft function. Levels of Flk-1/KDR and phosphorylated Akt and p70S6 kinase were increased in Kaposi's sarcoma cells. The expression of VEGF was increased in Kaposi's sarcoma cells and even more so in normal skin cells around the Kaposi's sarcoma lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Sirolimus inhibits the progression of dermal Kaposi's sarcoma in kidney-transplant recipients while providing effective immunosuppression.