Body mass index impacts infection rates in immediate autogenous breast reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Risk of postoperative infection following breast cancer reconstruction warrants consideration of both classic and procedure-specific risk factors. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with breast cancer over a 10-year period that underwent reconstructive surgery to identify factors that increase risk of postoperative infection. METHODS: Rates of postoperative infection were assessed in primary (immediate or delayed, alloplastic or autogenous) and secondary reconstructive procedures. Patient characteristics, surgical details, and cancer features were analyzed using two-sample t test and Fisher's exact test for continuous and categorical data, respectively. RESULTS: 456 procedures were performed on 264 patients with 29 cases of postoperative infection (6%). Infection was more likely to occur in earlier reconstructive procedures (p < 0.03). Overall, primary reconstructive procedures were associated with a higher infection rate (p = 0.005). Other associated risk factors included: autogenous reconstruction (p < 0.018), length of admission (p < 0.001) and immediate reconstruction (p = 0.01). Subgroup analysis revealed increased risk of infection with immediate autogenous reconstruction (p < 0.03). Furthermore, patients with greater body mass index (BMI) receiving immediate autogenous reconstruction had a greater risk of infection (p < 0.003). Factors unrelated to risk of infection included history of irradiation, smoking, cancer stage, tumor type and tumor size. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that risk of infection is higher in immediate autogenous reconstructions particularly when patients are overweight (BMI > 30). Our data do not support a relationship between infection and irradiation, features of cancer, or repeated reconstructive procedures. Prospective studies may be required to further validate these findings.

Non traumatic lower extremity amputations in younger patients: an 11-year retrospective study.

The purpose of this study was to assess morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing non traumatic lower extremity amputations ≤65 years to identify the specific needs of these younger patients. A retrospective study was conducted to determine the demographics, comorbidity and mortality with below-knee amputations and above-knee amputations from 1998 to 2008. A total of 203 amputations were performed on 176 patients who were ≤65 years. Major comorbidities and associated physical findings were peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, pain, gangrene, hypertension, ulcer, local wound infection and hypercholesterolemia. Compared to patients who were not deceased post-amputation, those deceased had a higher prevalence of diabetes, renal failure, coronary artery disease (CAD) and sepsis. Significant predictors of mortality were renal failure (hazard ratio [HR] = 4·19; 95% CI 1·96-8·93), CAD (HR = 3·33; 95% CI 1·42-7·81) and amputation site (above-knee) (HR = 3·26; 95% CI 1·51-7·04). This study showed that younger patients may benefit from an interdisciplinary approach in treating local foot ulcers aggressively and optimising their cardiovascular, renal and diabetic risk factors.

Maxillary bone grafts for the repair of traumatic orbital floor defects.

PURPOSE: To present maxillary bone (MB) grafts as a viable option for repair of traumatic orbital floor (TOF) defects by comparing their use to titanium mesh (TM) looking at TOF defect size, operative time, and complication rate. METHODS: The senior author's surgical technique is described. Patients undergoing TOF repair using MB versus TM were assessed retrospectively, focusing on TOF defect size, operative time, and follow-up results. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-six patients with 212 TOF defects presented to a single surgeon between 2004 and 2008. One hundred sixty-five patients (178 TOF defects) were repaired with MB and 31 patients (34 TOF defects) with TM. The MB and TM groups were similar with respect to age, gender, time to repair, and other associated facial fractures. TOF defect size was similar between the two groups (MB: mean 1.7 cm2, range 0.32-2.82 cm2; TM: mean 1.9 cm2, range 0.5-2.83 cm2). Follow-up was slightly longer in the TM group; however, many patients were lost to follow-up. There were no donor-site complications in the MB group and no significant difference in postoperative complications in the MB group versus the TM group (11% vs 24%). The operative time in patients with TOF defects was slightly longer in the MB group versus the TM group (35 min vs 27 minutes, p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: This series is the largest published series to date. MB was used successfully to repair TOF defects, with no increased risk of complications and only a slightly longer operative time compared to TM. MB offers an autogenous bone graft source that is technically easy to harvest and in the same surgical field, obviating many of the complications associated with alloplastic materials and traditional bone graft choices. MB grafts should be considered a viable option when choosing material to repair TOF defects.

Quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: validation of the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule in a Canadian population.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and validate the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule (CWIS), a disease-specific quality-of-life measure, in a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) population. Patients with DFUs have restrictions as part of their treatment and rehabilitation, which can affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Because of the high number of comorbidities experienced in diabetes, a disease-specific quality-of-life measure is needed to best assess the affect of a foot ulcer on HRQoL. Patients with DFUs completed the CWIS and a World Health Organization generic quality-of-life questionnaire. Validity was assessed by comparing domains of the questionnaires. Patients were categorised using the University of Texas wound classification system. Mean CWIS scores were compared between categories to assess the questionnaire's ability to differentiate wound severity. Patients with open ulcers scored significantly lower on the CWIS than those with healed ulcers. Correlations between questionnaire domains were as follows: Social Life with Social Functioning (r = 0·641, P < 0·001); Well-Being with General Health (r = 0·533, P < 0·01); Physical Symptoms and Daily Living with Physical Functioning (r = 0·631, P < 0·01) and Health-Related Quality of Life with Vitality (r = 0·425, P < 0·01). However, there was no significant difference in mean CWIS scores between categories of wound severity. We have demonstrated the ability of the CWIS in assessing HRQoL in a DFU population and its ability to differentiate between healed and non healed states.

Are chest compressions safe for the patient reconstructed with sternal plates? Evaluating the safety of cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a human cadaveric model.

BACKGROUND: Plate and screw fixation is a recent addition to the sternal wound treatment armamentarium. Patients undergoing cardiac and major vascular surgery have a higher risk of postoperative arrest than other elective patients. Those who undergo sternotomy for either cardiac or major vascular procedures are at a higher risk of postoperative arrest. Sternal plate design allows quick access to the mediastinum facilitating open cardiac massage, but chest compressions are the mainstay of re-establishing cardiac output in the event of arrest. The response of sternal plates and the chest wall to compressions when plated has not been studied. The safety of performing this maneuver is unknown. This study intends to demonstrate compressions are safe after sternal plating. METHODS: We investigated the effect of chest compressions on the plated sternum using a human cadaveric model. Cadavers were plated, an arrest was simulated, and an experienced physician performed a simulated resuscitation. Intrathoracic pressure was monitored throughout to ensure the plates encountered an appropriate degree of force. The hardware and viscera were evaluated for failure and trauma respectively. RESULTS: No hardware failure or obvious visceral trauma was observed. Rib fractures beyond the boundaries of the plates were noted but the incidence was comparable to control and to the fracture incidence after resuscitation previously cited in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: From this work we believe chest compressions are safe for the patient with sternal plates when proper plating technique is used. We advocate the use of this life-saving maneuver as part of an ACLS resuscitation in the event of an arrest for rapidly re-establishing circulation.

The operative treatment of pressure wounds: a 10-year experience in flap selection.

This study sought to both assist in the selection of flaps for ischial pressure wound re-construction and to evaluate the overall complication rates associated with re-construction. A retrospective medical record review was conducted for 78 patients following the surgical re-construction of an ischial pressure sore. Records were reviewed for demographics, location of sores, methods of re-construction and flap selection, as well as any complications and recurrences. Seventy-two wounds were re-constructed with an average of 1.4 flaps used per wound. An ischial flap complication rate of 16% was observed in flap follow up, with a recurrence rate of 7% recorded. The vast majority of complications went on to heal with 15% of patients requiring a second re-construction. Our relatively large sample of ischial flaps allowed for a close comparison with previously published work. Both flap selection and site of reconstruction significantly affected the success rates for pressure sore coverage. The overall complication rates by flap and re-constructive site in this review are lower than previously published reports. Our experience with ischial re-construction was extensive enough to suggest a posterior medial thigh fasciocutaneous flap combined with a biceps femoris muscle flap as a first choice in ischial pressure wound re-construction.

The operative treatment of pressure wounds: a 10-year experience in flap selection.

This study sought to both assist in the selection of flaps for ischial pressure wound reconstruction and evaluate the overall complication rates associated with reconstruction. A retrospective medical record review was conducted for 78 patients following the surgical reconstruction of an ischial pressure sore. Records were reviewed for demographics, location of sores, methods of reconstruction and flap selection, as well as any complications and recurrences. A total of 72 wounds were reconstructed with an average of 1.4 flaps used per wound. An ischial flap complication rate of 16% was observed in flap follow-up, with a recurrence rate of 7% recorded. The vast majority of complications went on to heal with 15% of patients requiring a second reconstruction. Our relatively large sample of ischial flaps allowed for a close comparison with previously published work. Both flap selection and site of reconstruction significantly affected the success rates for pressure sore coverage. The overall complication rates by flap and reconstructive site in this review are lower than previously published reports. Our experience with ischial reconstruction was extensive enough to suggest a posterior medial thigh fasciocutaneous flap combined with a biceps femoris muscle flap as a first choice in ischial pressure wound reconstruction.

Cervical spine injury in association with craniomaxillofacial fractures.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cervical spine injuries associated with facial fractures varies from study to study. There is general agreement that immediate management of cervical spine injuries is mandatory to prevent further neurologic injury. Nevertheless, disagreement exists as to the actual incidence of cervical spinal trauma in conjunction with various facial fracture patterns. The purpose of this study was to review the incidence of cervical spine injury associated with various types of facial fractures presenting to St. Michael's Hospital Regional Trauma Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of craniomaxillofacial fracture patients presenting to St. Michael's Hospital from January 1, 1994, to December 31, 2003, inclusive. RESULTS: The data from this 10-year time span revealed a total of 124 patients with cervical spine injuries drawn from a cohort of 3356 patients with craniomaxillofacial fractures. The overall incidence of cervical spine injury was 3.69 percent. Of these patients, 928 had isolated upper third facial or skull fractures, whereas isolated middle third facial fractures were seen in 716 patients and isolated lower third facial fractures were present in 798 patients. Combined facial fracture patterns, involving two or more facial thirds, accounted for the greatest number of cervical spine injuries, occurring in 8.86 percent (n = 914). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between cervical spinal injuries and craniomaxillofacial trauma has been better defined as it relates to a regional trauma registry. The implications as related to the trauma assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of these injuries are reviewed.

Vacuum-assisted wound closure of deep sternal infections in high-risk patients after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Sternal wound infections are a serious complication arising from cardiac surgery. Recently, the general application of negative pressure to wounds by vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has shown enhanced granulation and wound contraction. Here we examine the effect of VAC on sternal wounds. METHODS: We collected and statistically analyzed quantitative VAC performance data and outcomes with a retrospective review on a consecutive cohort of 22 patients treated with VAC for post-cardiac surgery wound complications. RESULTS: Sternal wound infections became evident on average at 21.0 days after surgery, associated with dehiscence (82%), sternal instability (59%), fluid collection by computed tomography (73%), and osteomyelitis (41%). Cultures most commonly identified Staphylococcus aureus (50%). Prompt irrigation and debridement were performed on all patients, and VAC therapy was applied at approximately 7.3 days after diagnosis. Vacuum-assisted closure induced granulation of 71% of the sternal wound area by 7 days, with a daily drainage of approximately 84 mL. By 14 days, there was a 54% reduction in wound size, and patients were discharged after approximately 19.5 days and placed on home therapy. Vacuum-assisted closure was discontinued at approximately 36.7 days with an average reduction in sternal wound size of 80%. Extensive secondary surgical closure, requiring muscle flaps, was avoided in 64% of patients, whereas 28% of patients required no surgical reconstruction for wound closure. No complications were related to VAC use. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to our earlier studies, adjunctive VAC therapy markedly reduced required surgical interventions, reoperation for persistent infections, and the hospitalization period. Thus, VAC provides a viable and efficacious adjunctive method by which to treat postoperative wound infection after medial sternotomy.