Improvement of perineal wound healing by local administration of gentamicin-impregnated collagen fleeces after abdominoperineal excision of rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant advancements in rectal surgery, poor perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection (APR) of the anorectum continues to be a potential complication of the procedure. The aim of this prospective randomized multicenter study was to investigate the efficacy of a new mode of local antibiotic administration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven patients who had to undergo APR for low rectal carcinoma either received sacral drainage plus primary wound closure (control group, n = 48) or the same treatment and supplementary application of three resorbable gentamicin-impregnated collagen fleeces (Septocoll; Merck Biomaterial GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany; Genta group, 49). The following target criteria were investigated: bacteriologic efficacy with respect to the eradication of Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus, and Pseudomonas organisms, and clinical efficacy with respect to perineal wound healing. RESULTS: The Genta group showed a marked reduction in the investigated pathogens from the secretion obtained by sacral drainage on days 1 and 3, as well as high gentamicin concentrations (day 1, median 126.2 microg/mL; day 3, median 97.6 microg/mL). In total, bacteriologic efficacy amounted to 83.7% in the Genta group (41 of 49 patients) versus 60.4% (29 of 48 patients) in controls (P = 0.013). In concurrence with these bacteriologic results, the postoperative infection rate was significantly higher in controls: 10 patients (20.83%) in the control group versus 3 (6.1%) in the Genta group developed perineal or sacral infection (P <0.05). Postoperative complications in the recruited patients revealed no indication of gentamicin-induced adverse reactions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show that the specified dose of 3 Septocoll fleeces in patients with APR is liable to significantly eliminate enterobacteria, staphylococci, and pseudomonads. The clinical course is improved as a result of the bactericidal effect exerted by the gentamicin fleece. The use of Septocoll reduced the incidence of postoperative perineal and sacral infections. Local antibiotic carriers seem to be of great advantage in poorly perfused areas such as the sacral cavity or anatomically problematic regions as the rima ani. In locally contaminated or infected areas, local antibiotic carriers achieve greater concentrations of the active substance than those achieved with systemic antibiotics, even if the latter are administered by the parenteral route.

Nerve lesions in primary shoulder dislocations and humeral neck fractures. A prospective clinical and EMG study.

The incidence of nerve injuries in primary shoulder dislocation and humeral neck fracture is uncertain. We made a prospective study of 101 patients, using clinical examination and extensive electrophysiological assessment when there was suspicion of nerve damage. We found electrophysiological evidence of nerve injury in 45%, most involving the axillary, suprascapular, radial and musculocutaneous nerves. There were significantly more nerve injuries in older patients and those with a haematoma. Most patients recovered partially or completely in less than four months, and only eight had persistent motor loss. Early diagnosis and physiotherapy are recommended.

[Use of an endoprosthesis in the treatment of bile leakage from the cystic duct following laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Behandeling met een endoprothese van gallekkage uit de ductus cysticus na laparoscopische cholecystectomie.

The case is reported of a female aged 32 years in whom, after laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed because of symptomatic gallbladder calculi, leakage from the cystic duct occurred. After percutaneous drainage of the perihepatic bile collection, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with papillotomy was performed; since this proved insufficient, an endoprosthesis was inserted into the common bile duct by ERCP, following which the bile leakage ceased.

The Brooker-Wills interlocking nail in the treatment of femoral fractures.

Interlocking nails have expanded the indication for intramedullary fixation to almost any type of fracture of the shaft of the femur. Distal locking with the Brooker-Wills femoral nail is obtained by a wing fixator. This simplifies the operative technique and diminishes exposure to radiation. Adequate control of angulation, shortening and rotation could be achieved in a first series of 25 patients, thus leading to firm bone healing and to early functional recovery.