The use of flaps for management of deep sternal wound complications: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many options are available for reconstruction after deep sternal wound infections. However, these options have not been critically appraised. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the existing evidence on sternal rewiring versus flap reconstruction and pectoralis major muscle flaps (PMFs) versus greater omental flaps (GOFs). METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched. Outcomes of interest included mortality, treatment failure and length of hospital stay (LOS). RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included. Nine studies compared flaps to rewiring, reporting on 618 patients. Patients treated with flaps had significantly lower mortality compared with patient treated with rewiring (Risk ratio [RR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23-0.77, P < 0.01). Flap patients had significantly lower treatment failure compared with those who were treated with rewiring (RR 0.22, 95% CI: 0.14-0.37, P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed in LOS between patients treated with flaps compared those treated with rewiring (standard mean difference -0.84, 95% CI: -1.91 to 0.24, P = 0.13). Five studies compared PMF with GOF, reporting on 599 patients. No statistically significant differences were found in mortality (RR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.24-1.68, P = 0.36), LOS (standard mean difference -14.52, 95% CI: -42.00 to 12.96, P = 0.30) or treatment failure (RR 1.37, 95% CI: 0.31-6.07, P = 0.68) in patients treated with PMF compared with patients treated with GOF. CONCLUSIONS: Flap-based reconstruction demonstrated improved mortality and treatment outcomes compared to sternal rewiring. However, no significant differences were observed in outcomes between the PMF- and GOF-based reconstructions.

Intraoperative Anaphylaxis to Gelatin during Alveolar Bone Grafting for Cleft Palate.

Intraoperative anaphylaxis can be life threatening. Anaphylaxis to gelatin-based topical hemostatic agents is an underrecognized hypersensitivity. To date, only 21 cases of intraoperative anaphylaxis have been reported for gelatin-based hemostatic agents. In this article, we report the case of a 10-year-old male patient who sustained anaphylaxis after the use of Gelfoam during harvest of a bone graft. Rapid diagnosis and treatment of intraoperative anaphylaxis is imperative to prevent adverse outcomes. Referral to an allergist for identification of the allergen and appropriate notation in the medical record are paramount to avoid future anaphylactic events. Surgeons should avoid gelatin-based hemostatic agents, such as Gelfoam, in patients with reported intolerance of gelatin-based foods and medicines.

Vacuum-assisted closure therapy for the management of deep sternal wound complications: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has become a popular treatment option for wound healing. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the use of VAC therapy as a bridge before the definitive treatment for the management of deep sternal wound complications. METHODS: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were performed in PubMed and Embase. Outcomes of interest included mortality, treatment failure, length of hospital stay (LOS), length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and cost of treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies involving 1980 patients were included in the quantitative synthesis of this meta-analysis. Patients treated with VAC had significantly lower overall mortality [1738 patients; Risk ratio [RR] = 0.36 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25, 0.51)], treatment failure [1210 patients; RR = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.37)], LOS [498 patients; (standard mean difference = -0.44 (95% CI: -0.81, -0.07)] and ICU stay [309 patients; (standard mean difference = -0.34 (95% CI: -0.67, -0.01)] compared to that of non-VAC patients. VAC therapy was associated with reduced cost of treatment per patient compared with that of non-VAC therapies (reductions of 3600 USD, 6000 USD and 8983 USD in the reported studies). CONCLUSIONS: VAC therapy as an adjunct in the definitive treatment of patients with deep sternal wound complications was associated with lower mortality, treatment failure, LOS, ICU stay and cost of treatment when compared with a non-VAC approach. Randomised controlled trials would be essential to confirm these findings.

Analysis of a National Database Investigating Development of Trigger Finger after Treatment of Dupuytren Disease.

Dupuytren disease is associated with inflammation and myofibroblast overgrowth, as is stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger). Both are linked with fibroblast proliferation, but a potential associative link between the diseases is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the progression of trigger finger following treatment for Dupuytren contracture in a large database. Methods: A commercial database encompassing 53 million patients was utilized from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2020. The study cohort included patients diagnosed with either Dupuytren disease or trigger finger utilizing International Classification Codes 9 and 10. Terminology codes were used to identify common Dupuytren procedures, as well as trigger finger release. Logistic regression analysis was used to define independent risk factors for developing trigger finger. Results: A total of 593,606 patients were diagnosed with trigger finger. Of these patients, 15,416 (2.6%) were diagnosed with trigger finger after diagnosis of Dupuytren disease, whereas 2603 (0.4%) patients were diagnosed with trigger finger after treatment of Dupuytren contracture. Independent risk factors for trigger finger included age 65 years or older (OR 1.00, P < 0.05), diabetes (OR 1.12, P < 0.05) and obesity (OR 1.20, P < 0.005). Patients who received collagenase clostridium histolyticum treatment (OR 0.34, P < 0.005) for Dupuytren contracture were significantly less likely to develop trigger finger. Conclusions: Dupuytren contracture is associated with inflammation and subsequent trigger finger development at a higher rate than the background population frequency. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum injection may lead to a decreased risk of trigger finger requiring surgical intervention in patients with risk factors.

Lym-1 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Exhibit Potent Anti-Tumor Effects against B-Cell Lymphoma.

T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) recognizing CD19 epitopes have produced remarkable anti-tumor effects in patients with B-cell malignancies. However, cancer cells lacking recognized epitopes can emerge, leading to relapse and death. Thus, CAR T cells targeting different epitopes on different antigens could improve immunotherapy. The Lym-1 antibody targets a conformational epitope of Human Leukocyte Antigen-antigen D Related (HLA-DR) on the surface of human B-cell lymphomas. Lym-1 CAR T cells were thus generated for evaluation of cytotoxic activity towards lymphoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Human T cells from healthy donors were transduced to express a Lym-1 CAR, and assessed for epitope-driven function in culture and towards Raji xenografts in NOD-scidIL2Rgammanull (NSG) mice. Lym-1 CAR T cells exhibited epitope-driven activation and lytic function against human B-cell lymphoma cell lines in culture and mediated complete regression of Raji/Luciferase-Green fluorescent protein (Raji/Luc-GFP) in NSG mice with similar or better reactivity than CD19 CAR T cells. Lym-1 CAR transduction of T cells is a promising immunotherapy for patients with Lym-1 epitope positive B-cell malignancies.