[The use of the "spare-parts tissue bank" concept in emergency hand surgery]. / Utilisation des << tissus-banque >> en chirurgie de la main d'urgence.

INTRODUCTION: In the case of multidigital hand trauma, the tissue of the amputated parts can be used for the reconstruction of the defected tissue localized on the other fingers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of seven patients has been reviewed in this paper; the authors illustrate the different possibilities of using the "spare-parts concept" in the emergency hand trauma surgery. RESULTS: The functional results are presented. DISCUSSION: The different techniques of reconstruction using the "spare-parts concept" are discussed. CONCLUSION: In the cases of multidigital lesions, the surgeon should choose the best opportunity to use the tissue of the amputated digits, or the non-conservable ones, to reconstruct the neighboring preserved segments.

Cranial reconstruction after a post-craniotomy empyema.

This article presents a case report of a cranioplasty performed after a post-craniotomy empyema with osteitis. The skull reconstruction was performed using a bioceramic implant and a combined muscular free flap of latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior. This procedure not only provided coverage of a wide skull defect but also allowed the filling of the intracranial dead space. Clinically, we observed an improvement of the patient's preoperative neurological status with a near-complete correction of her right hemiparaesis and phasic disorders. Eight months after the cranioplasty, (1) no recurrence of infection was noticed; (2) no distortion of the skull was noticeable and (3) the patient again experienced a normal social life. Using computed tomography (CT) scan images, we observed a re-expansion of the left cerebral hemisphere without any dead space or extradural collection. The only observable sequelae were a temporoparietal alopecia (10 cm x 4 cm) and a winging of the scapula, induced by the skin graft and the removal of the lower-third of the serratus anterior muscle, respectively. The use of a muscular free flap associated with a customised biomaterial allows a single-stage reconstruction of extensive skull defect (120 cm(2)) in a previously infected area.

[Surgical management of traumatic ear amputations: literature review]. / Prise en charge des amputations traumatiques de l'oreille : revue de la littérature.

Traumatic ear amputation (TEA) is a complete avulsion of a part or of the total auricular tissue. TEA are rare (only 74 cases have been described in the literature) and their handling is complex. The surgeon's objective is to obtain the best cosmetic result without demolishing the auricular area in order to allow future ear reconstruction in case of replantation failure. Many techniques of ear replantation have been described in the literature during the last 30 years: microsurgical replantation, pocket techniques and reattachment techniques. Microsurgical replantation should be achieved every time it is possible. When it is not possible, the surgeon can choose between ear reattachment and a pocket technique according to two clinical features: the size of the amputated part and the involvement of the ear lobe. Ear reattachment can be achieved when the amputated part is smaller than 15 mm or when amputation involves the earlobe. Pocket techniques, which are appropriate for the replantation of the auricular cartilage, can be used when the amputated part is bigger than 15 mm and does not comprise the earlobe.

[Necrotizing fasciitis: complication of patient positioning?]. / Dermohypodermite bactérienne nécrosante avec fasciite nécrosante : complication d'une installation opératoire ?

Necrotizing fasciitis is a hypodermis, muscular fascia then dermis necrotizing infection. It disseminates along fascias with a mortality sometimes within 18 hours. The average mortality, reported in the literature, is about 30%. A 65-year-old man, with a history of Vaquez disease (under hydroxurea) and a smoke addiction, had an epidermoid carcinoma of the left vocal cord (T2 N0 M0). The cancer treatment consisted of a functional lymph node excision, followed by tracheotomy then by partial laryngectomy. At the end of the intervention, after removal of operative fields, it was noticed that the Montandon cannula had slid and was between the medial side of the left upper limb and the lateral side of the chest. There was a cutaneous imprint with ecchymosis on the route of the cannula. At the second postoperative day, a necrotizing fasciitis quickly developed on the left side of the chest, the medial side of the left upper limb, and the left hip without infection of the operating site. An Escherichia coli was identified in tracheal secretions and operative samples. The presumed hypothesis of this necrotizing infection is the cutaneous contamination of the thoracic wall by tracheal secretions colonized by E. coli, whose penetration was induced by the cutaneous traumatism due to the cannula. We remind, by analyzing this unusual case, the caring principles one of which diagnosis and the surgical excision must be as premature as possible. We insist on the elementary measures of protection of the support points and the good binding of cannulas.