Hair thread tourniquet syndrome in a male infant: a rare surgical emergency.

Hair thread tourniquet syndrome (HTTS) is a rare surgical emergency that occurs when one or more appendages are acutely circumferentially strangulated by human hair. If left untreated it may induce prolonged ischaemia, resulting in tissue necrosis or autoamputation of the affected digit. It may involve the fingers, toes, penis or labia. It typically occurs in infants, but cases have also been reported in adults. Prompt recognition and treatment by complete removal of the constricting agent is crucial to preserve the affected tissue. We report a case of HTTS affecting the left middle toe of an 8-week-old male infant successfully treated by surgical release of the hair. The authors aim to raise awareness of HTTS among physicians, emergency doctors, paediatricians and surgeons, as prompt recognition and management prevents adverse outcomes and tissue necrosis.

The modified Glasgow prognostic score in patients undergoing surgery for bone and soft tissue sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of markers of the systemic inflammatory response in patients with soft tissue and bone sarcomas remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the prognostic value of markers of the systemic inflammatory response in patients undergoing surgery for primary soft tissue and bone sarcoma. METHOD: Patients who underwent resection of primary soft tissue/bone sarcoma between 2008 and 2012 and had pre-operative measurements of the systemic inflammatory response [C-reactive protein, albumin, white cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet counts, and the combination of C-reactive protein and albumin (mGPS)] were included in the study (n = 111). RESULTS: The majority of the patients were ≤50 years old (84%), were female (63%), had soft tissue sarcoma (62%), and had tumours >10 cm (52%), mostly of high grade (85%). The median follow-up of survivors was 50 months (range 34-78); 24 (21%) developed local recurrence, 35 (31%) developed distant metastases and 30 (30%) died of their cancer. On univariate analysis, tumour size (P < 0.001), tumour grade (P < 0.001), C-reactive protein level (P < 0.001), albumin level (P < 0.001) and mGPS (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with distant recurrence-free survival. On a multivariate analysis, only tumour size [hazard ratios (HR) 2.57, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.14-5.32, P < 0.05], tumour grade (HR 7.01, 95% CI 0.94-52.17, P < 0.10) and mGPS (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.31-2.83, P < 0.01) were independently associated with distant recurrence-free survival. On a multivariate analysis, only tumour size (HR 2.85, 95% CI 1.10-7.39, P < 0.05) and the mGPS (HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.31-3.16, P < 0.01) were independently associated with cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSION: The systemic inflammatory response, as evidenced by the mGPS, was an important independent predictor of recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival in patients undergoing surgery for bone and soft tissue sarcoma.

Rhabdomyolysis-induced compartment syndrome secondary to atorvastatin and strenuous exercise.

A 50-year-old male UK resident with a history of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia presented to the emergency department with a 48-hour history of sudden onset bilateral thigh swelling and pain unrelieved by regular analgesia. 3 days prior to presentation, he performed a vigorous workout in the gym. His medications included ramipril 5 mg once daily and atorvastatin 20 mg at night time. He was a non-smoker and did not consume alcohol. He reported no known drug allergies. Physical examination confirmed bilateral swollen thighs, with no overlying skin changes, clinically suggestive of compartment syndrome. His creatine kinase was >50 000 IU with normal renal and liver function tests. Further investigation with MRI-identified prominent swelling of the vastus intermedius and medialis muscles, more marked on the left, with extensive diffuse short tau inversion recovery (STIR) signal hyperintensity and isointensity on T1 sequences, suggestive of rhabdomyolysis. He underwent bilateral fasciotomies of his thighs and aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation with close monitoring of his electrolytes. Intraoperatively his muscle was healthy, with no evidence of haematoma or necrosis. His medication atorvastatin was stopped due to his rhabdomyolysis. 48 hours later, he returned to theatre and review of his fasciotomy wounds was unremarkable. 4 days later, he was discharged uneventfully. His postoperative recovery was complicated by a serous discharge from his left medial thigh wound. Further investigation with an ultrasound confirmed a 4×1×1cm multiloculated collection within the superficial tissue directly underlying the wound. An aspirate was performed and cultures revealed no growth. He remains under review in the department of plastic surgery. This case report discusses the aetiological spectrum, clinical presentation, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, investigations, management and complications of rhabdomyolysis.