The Immediate Clinical Effects Following a Single Radial Shock Wave Therapy in Pressure Ulcers: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial of The SHOWN Project.

Objective: Recent preliminary reports indicate that extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) might be useful for chronic wounds, especially venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. However, there is limited evidence for the utility and safety of ESWT in pressure ulcers (PUs). Therefore, this randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to assess immediate planimetric and clinical effects following a single radial ESWT session in PUs. Approach: A group of 40 patients with PUs was randomly assigned into 2 groups: active ESWT (n = 20), which underwent a single treatment with radial ESWT (300 + 100 impulses/1 cm2, 2.5 bars, 0.15 mJ/mm2, and 5 Hz) and placebo ESWT (n = 20), which was exposed to sham-radial ESWT. All patients continued standard wound care procedures. The planimetric assessment and clinical outcomes using Wound Bed Score (WBS) and Bates-Jansen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) were assessed before (M0) and after ESWT sessions (M1). Results: There was a significant planimetric enhancement observed after active ESWT reported as a reduction in all metric parameters: wound area from 11.51 to 8.09 cm2 (p < 0.001), wound length from 4.97 to 4.41 cm (p < 0.001), and wound width from 3.15 to 2.49 cm (p < 0.0001). Also, there was a significant beneficial clinical improvement observed with a WBS as an increased score from 3.85 to 9.65 points (p < 0.001) and with the BWAT as a decreased score from 45.45 to 30.70 points (p < 0.001). In turn, a regression in the placebo ESWT group was observed in all studied outcomes. Innovation: This study is the first RCT to provide the positive and immediate clinical effects of radial ESWT in promoting the healing of PUs. Conclusion: This preliminary RCT showed that even a single session of ESWT is a promising and clinically effective modality in managing PUs. However, there is still limited data regarding the usefulness of ESWT in PUs, and further studies are in demand.

Self-Reported Pain Alleviating Methods in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa. / Métodos referidos por los pacientes para aliviar el dolor asociado a la hidradenitis supurativa.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a common, important symptom negatively affecting the well-being and quality of life of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The aim of this study was to examine self-reported pain alleviating methods among outpatients attending a tertiary referral center. METHODS: Consecutive patients with HS were invited to complete a questionnaire regarding their self-reported pain alleviating methods for HS associated pain. Additionally, the patients filled out the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire and a visual analog scale for overall distress related to HS and for boil-associated pain in the past month. Information on disease severity and onset was obtained by interview and clinical examination. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients with a mean age of 38.3 years (SD 12.8) participated; 32% (n=43) had Hurley stage i, 52% (n=70) had Hurley stage ii, and 16% (n=21) had Hurley stage iii. Overall, to achieve pain relief, 82% (n=110) of the patients had previously drained pus from the lesions by manual pressure. Compared to patients who did not alleviate pain, patients who attempted to alleviate pain had a higher mean overall disease related distress score (7.43 [SD 2.81] vs. 5.47 [SD 3.37], P<.003), and a higher boil-associated pain score in the past month (6.56 [SD 3.07] vs. 4.39 [SD 3.88], P=.007). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a large proportion of HS patients attempt to alleviate pain through various alternative and homespun methods. These results may reflect a major role of pain in HS and its potential insufficient management by dermatologists.

[Modern problems of modelling and treatment of soft tissues abscesses]. / Sovremennye problemy modelirovaniya i lecheniya abstsessov myagkikh tkanei.

Increase of the frequency of soft tissues pyoinflammatory diseases and purulent-septic complications against the background the antibiotic-resistance of organism dictates the necessity of search of rational new surgical technologies and preparations with the intense bactericidal effect. Period of the connective tissue (cicatrix) formation on a place of wound defect of the operated purulent abscess of soft tissue (PAST) is defined by the speed of the granulations and epithelial tissue formation. Therefore, one of the task of experimental surgery is search of new methods of the effective postoperative influence on terms of the regeneration and complete obliteration of the PAST cavity. The perspective direction in treatment of surgical infection is application of metals nanoparticles. In treatment of pyoinflammatory processes it is applied the preparation Eplan and also zinc oxide nanoparticles which have bactericidal, antiinflammatory and regenerative effects. However, till now it was not carried out experimental works on modelling and surgical treatment of PAST with local application of the laser technologies in combinations with Eplan and metals nanoparticles.

Unilateral acute cervical lymphadenitis in children: can we predict the need for surgery?

INTRODUCTION: Paediatric acute cervical lymphadenitis is a frequent diagnosis in the emergency department. Traditionally, suppurative cervical lymphadenitis (SCL) is associated with a higher need of surgical drainage. However, a great variability in the management of this suppurative infections can be observed. Moreover, the clinical distinction between non-suppurative cervical lymphadenitis (NSCL) and SCL is not an easy task and there are, currently, no guidelines defining which patients are eligible for imaging study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the determinants and benefits in the surgical management of SCL in children. As secondary outcome, to determine differences in epidemiological characteristics, clinical, biochemical and radiological features between NSCL and SCL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective survey was carried out in a tertiary university hospital between January 2007 and December 2016. Forty-two children with a diagnosis of acute cervical lymphadenitis (ACL) were included and categorized according to the presence of suppuration, resulting in two groups: NSCL and SCL. The latter group was further categorized into surgical and non-surgical groups, according to the need of surgical drainage. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between SCL and NSCL groups in gender, age and previous antibiotics intake (p > 0.05). According to clinical presentation, odynophagia was significantly more frequent in NSCL patients (p = 0.01), with no differences found in other clinical parameters (p > 0.05). Patients presenting acute cervical lymphadenitis involving the submandibular region have 16 times the odds of a suppurative process (p = 0.029). In a SCL subgroup analysis, no association was observed between lymphadenitis size or location and the need for surgical drainage (p > 0.05). Children included in the SCL surgical group presented a trend to an increased in the hospitalization length (p = 0.01), when comparing to those in which treatment was limited to intravenous antibiotics. One death was observed in the SCL non-surgical group. CONCLUSIONS: Predictive factors for the need of surgery were not found. Furthermore, surgical drainage was not associated with better outcomes. Surgery could be considered in selected stable patients, when alternative medical treatments do not seem to work, in a case-to-case basis.

Microdeformational wound therapy: A novel option to salvage complex wounds associated with the Nuss procedure.

BACKGROUND: Complex wounds associated with the Nuss procedure are a resource intensive complication that may lead to significant morbidity with potential removal of the implanted device and abandonment of the repair. We report our management technique of this complication utilizing microdeformational wound therapy (MDWT) that is safe, is efficacious and allows for salvage of the repair. OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE: We defined a complex wound as a wound that became suppurative and drained in the postoperative period and failed to resolve with a trial of conventional wound management and antibiotics. Upon recognition of a complex wound, we recommend an initial operative wound debridement. This allows wound cultures, wound assessment and precise initiation of MDWT. It is not uncommon to have exposed hardware in the wound early in the course of therapy. Metal allergy must be excluded. The patient is transitioned to oral antibiotics following resolution of the acute process. MDWT is performed until the wounds are completely epithelialized with no clinical signs of drainage or infection. The average length of MDWT in our patients was 39 days. Following complete wound healing the patients are maintained on antibiotics until implant removal. CONCLUSIONS: The use of microdeformational wound therapy in complex wounds associated with the Nuss procedure is a safe and effective modality. The technique may reduce the likelihood of implant removal with potential recurrent pectus excavatum. TYPE OF STUDY: Operative technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series with no comparison group.

[Diagnosis and treatment of suppurative mediastinitis - a special chapter in the history of surgery (in Russian only)]. / Diagnostika i lechenie gnoinogo mediastinita - osobaia glava v istorii khirurgii.

It was reviewed a history of diagnosis and treatment of suppurative mediastinitis from ancient times to our time depending on inflammation type, localization and clinical features. An important role of national surgical school in the development of surgical treatment was emphasized.

[Infected Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Secondary to the Purulent Pericarditis;Report of a Case].

A 69-year-old man was hospitalized urgently to the department of cardiology, with the progressive general malaise. On admission, his blood pressure was 80/42 mmHg, his white cell count 13,700/µl, and C-reactive protein 25.55 mg/dl suggesting existence of aggressive infection with impaired circulation. Massive pericardial effusion was detected in echocardiography. Pericardial drainage was undergone promptly. There was drainage of 700 ml and the property was purulent. Pneumococcus was detected by the culture test of the pericardial fluid. Antibiotic administration was started by a diagnosis of the purulent pericarditis. His general condition was improved. However, a rapidly expanding saccular aneurysm was found in a descending thoracic aorta by computed tomography( CT). As an infected thoracic aortic aneurysm secondary to the purulent pericarditis, we performed thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR). The intravenous administration of antibiotics was continued for 2 weeks after TEVAR, which was followed by oral antibiotic administration for 1 year. The aneurysm completely disappeared by CT, 10 months after TEVAR. In case with an infected thoracic aortic aneurysm, TEVAR can be a 1st choice of treatment, depending on a causative organism and the morphology of the aneurysm.

Percutaneous suction and irrigation for the treatment of recalcitrant pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

BACKGROUND: The primary management of pyogenic spondylodiscitis is conservative. Once the causative organism has been identified, by blood culture or biopsy, administration of appropriate intravenous antibiotics is started. Occasionally patients do not respond to antibiotics and surgical irrigation and debridement is needed. The treatment of these cases is challenging and controversial. Furthermore, many affected patients have significant comorbidities often precluding more extensive surgical intervention. The aim of this study is to describe early results of a novel, minimally invasive percutaneous technique for disc irrigation and debridement in pyogenic spondylodiscitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 10 consecutive patients diagnosed with pyogenic spondylodiscitis received percutaneous disc irrigation and debridement. The procedure was performed by inserting two Jamshidi needles percutaneously into the disc space. Indications for surgery were poor response to antibiotic therapy (8 patients) and the need for more extensive biopsy (2 patients). Pre- and postoperative white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and visual analogue score (VAS) for back pain were collected. Minimum follow-up was 18 months, with regular interval assessments. RESULTS: There were 7 males and 3 females with a mean age of 67 years. The mean WBC before surgery was 14.63 × 109/L (10.9-26.4) and dropped to 7.48 × 109/L (5.6-9.8) after surgery. The mean preoperative CRP was 188 mg/L (111-250) and decreased to 13.83 mg/L (5-21) after surgery. Similar improvements were seen with ESR. All patients reported significant improvements in ODI and VAS scores after surgery. The average hospital stay after surgery was 8.17 days. All patients had resolution of the infection, and there were no complications associated with the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms the feasibility and safety of our percutaneous technique for irrigation and debridement of pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Percutaneous irrigation and suction offers a truly minimally invasive option for managing recalcitrant spondylodiscitis or for diagnostic purposes. The approach used is very similar to discography and can be easily adapted to different hospital settings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

[Surgical resolutions determining outcomes of infected pancreatic necrosis]. / Khirurgicheskie resheniia, opredeliaiushchie iskhod lecheniia infitsirovannogo pankreonekroza.

AIM: To evaluate technology, indications and time of minimally invasive semi-closed and laparotomic sanations for infected pancreatic necrosis (IP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Initially it was used sonography-assisted minimally invasive semi-closed drainage of IP with gradual augmentation of catheters' diameter. In 462 patients with IP liquid pus prevailed over sequesters in epigastric localized pancreatonecrotic phlegmon (ELPF) and pancreatonecrotic abscesses. So, minimally invasive approach may be definitive. Epigastric advanced pancreatonecrotic phlegmon with predominant sequesters is often followed by conversion to transverse omentobursopancreatostomy (OBPS) to open all purulent accumulations. RESULTS: Surgical treatment immediately after parapancreatic infiltrate suppuration (i.e. within 3-4 weeks after onset of the disease) is associated with reduced mortality. Absent result of minimally invasive drainage is followed by mortality from the 11th day and maximum in 14 days after treatment onset. Therefore, focal IP resistant to minimally invasive drainage requires conversion to transverse OBPS or video-assisted sequestrectomy after 10-13 days. The lowest mortality (14.8±2.5%) was observed in patients who underwent minimally invasive drainage or transverse OBPS within 10-13 days. Ineffective prolonged minimally invasive drainage was accompanied by high mortality rate (60.7±3.2%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Conversion to transverse OBPS or video-assisted sequestrectomy are required if minimally invasive drainage of IP is ineffective after 10-13 days. Clear understanding of indications for closed and open drainage of PI helps to avoid tactical and technological errors.

Comparison of Open Drainage Versus Closed Catheter Irrigation for Treatment of Suppurative Flexor Tenosynovitis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes associated with different surgical treatments in the management of suppurative flexor tenosynovitis (SFT). METHODS: Patients treated by open drainage (OD) through a single incision and closed catheter irrigation (CCI) of the tendon sheath were evaluated from 2003 to 2009 at a single institution. Variables examined included culture results, time to surgery, duration of hospitalization and antibiotic therapy, pain, reoperation, and functional outcomes were recorded. Statistical analyses used included parametric and nonparametric t tests. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were treated for SFT with a mean follow-up of 3 ± 2 years. There were 13 (100%) males in the OD group compared to 8 (72%) males within the CCI group. Ninety-two percent of patients who underwent OD and 100% who underwent CCI reported none or mild pain. There were no differences between the 2 groups with regard to functional outcome scores. Factors leading to worse functional outcomes included prolonged time to receiving antibiotics and Staphylococcus aureus infection. Smokers required prolonged antibiotic treatment compared to nonsmokers. Accounting for planned returns to the operating room, there was no difference in reoperation rates between the OD or CCI groups. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of SFT with either OD or CCI resulted in similar outcomes for pain, function, and need for reoperation. Factors that lead to poor outcomes include S aureus culture, prolonged time to antibiotics, and smoking.

[Efficacy of over-the-scope clip for gastrointestinal fistula].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of over-the-scope clip (OTSC) in the treatment of gastrointestinal fistula. METHODS: Clinical data of 12 gastrointestinal fistula patients, including 3 internal fistula and 9 external fistula treated with OTSC in our institute from March 2015 to May 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. OTSC was performed when pus was drained thoroughly and intra-abdominal infection around gastrointestinal fistula was controlled, and each patient received one clip to close fistula. RESULTS: There were 6 female and 6 male patients with mean age of (50.1±12.6) years. The successful rate of endoscopic closure was 100% without complications including bleeding and intestinal obstruction during and after OTSC treatment. According to comprehensive evaluation, including drainage without digestive juices, no recurrence of intra-abdominal infection, no overflow of contrast medium during digestive tract radiography, and CT examination without intra-abdominal abscess, clinical gastrointestinal fistula closure was 91.7%(11/12). There was no recurrence of gastrointestinal fistula during 3 months of follow-up in 11 patients. In the remaining 1 case, the gastric fistula after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy recurred one week after OTSC treatment because of intra-abdominal infection surrounding fistula, and was cured by surgery finally. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic closure treatment of OTSC for gastrointestinal fistula is successful and effective, and control of intra-abdominal infection around fistula with adequate drainage is the key point.

[APPLICATION OF VACUUM-THERAPY ON STAGES OF SURGICAL TREATMENT OF THE DIABETIC FOOT SYNDROME].

Vacuum therapy of an acute and chronic wounds was used in a complex of surgical treatment of 228 patients, suffering diabetic foot syndrome. There was established a positive local and systemic action of this method for the treatment of the wound defect. Vacuum therapy of the wounds guarantees the wound process clinical course stabilization, improvement of microcirculation, reduction of their microbial soiling, stimulation of regenerative processes, elimination of endogenous intoxication.

[VACUUM-THERAPY OF DIFFUSE PERITONITIS].

The experience of treatment of 37 patients, suffering diffuse peritonitis, in 18 of them in complex with vacuum-therapy, is adduced. In a comparison group a sanation relaparotomy was applied only. International classifications SOFA, APACHE II, Manheim's Index of the Peritonitis Severity were used for estimation of the patients' state severity. The vacuum-therapy application have promoted significant reduction of the abdominal cavity microbial soiling, permitted to escape the compartment syndrome occurrence, and to reduce the sanation relaparotomy performance rate.

[APPLICATION OF VACUUM-THERAPY IN COMPLEX OF TREATMENT OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES CHRONIC WOUNDS].

Experience of treatment of chronic wounds in 11 patients in 2014 ­ 2016 yrs was analyzed. The impact of negative pressure, using domestically manufactured apparatus «ÐGАТ- Dnepr¼, in complex of treatment as a local therapy, was applied. Vacuum-therapy was conducted preoperatively and postoperatively together with autodermoplasty. The injection material for the skin regeneration "lacerta" was applied subcutaneously intraoperatively. The Ialuset-cream bandages were used in 10 - 12 days postoperatively during 2-3 weeks. Еfficacy of vacuum-therapy was estimated, basing on analysis of the wound process course dynamics, clinic-laboratory criteria, terms of the wound defect complete closure. The patients' stationary treatment duration have constituted 38.3 days at average. Complex treatment of chronic wounds have had guaranteed complete healing of the wound defect in 7 (63%) patients in terms up to 1 - 5 weeks, and in 3 (26%) - 6 weeks.

Afectación cutánea en las micosis profundas: una revisión de la literatura. Parte 1: micosis subcutáneas / Cutaneous involvement in the deep mycoses: a literature review. Part I-subcutaneous mycoses

Las micosis profundas son infecciones poco frecuentes en nuestro medio. Se presentan principalmente en pacientes inmunodeprimidos o en regiones de climas tropicales, que abarcan las micosis subcutáneas y las micosis sistémicas. Las micosis subcutáneas o por implantación siempre producen signos de afectación cutánea. En la primera parte de esta revisión se realizará una revisión de las principales micosis subcutáneas: esporotricosis, cromoblastomicosis, micetomas, feohifomicosis, hialohifomicosis y lacaziosis. Reconocer y tratar estas micosis subcutáneas de forma precoz es importante, ya que a menudo están asociadas a una alta morbilidad

The deep mycoses are uncommon in our setting. These fungal infections occur mainly in immunosuppressed patients or in tropical climates, and include subcutaneous infections and systemic infections. The skin is always involved in the former. In the first part of this review, we describe the main subcutaneous mycoses: sporotrichosis, chromoblastomycosis, mycetoma, phaeohyphomycosis, hyalohyphomycosis, and lacaziosis. Early recognition and treatment is important, as these infections are frequently associated with high morbidity

EVALUATION OF THE USE OF OZONE THERAPY IN TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES IN DIABETES MELLITUS IN AN EXPERIMENT.

Studying the effect of ozone therapy on the course of pyoinflammatory processes with diabetes mellitus in the experiment, conducted on 30 white 24-30 month rats, weight 300-450 gr with purulent-inflammatory processes, it was found out that diabetes, which was simulated by subcutaneous injection of alloxan, causes mosaic disturbances of hemostasis system in the presence of pyoinflammatory processes. Complicated changes in blood condition were also detected against the background of diabetes mellitus: chronometric hypocoagulation on the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation in association with chronometric hypercoagulation by the external thrombinogenesis mechanism and fibrinogenesis depression against the background of hypofibrinogenaemia. Thus, the use of ozone therapy in the presence of soft tissues abscesses in old rats with diabetes does not demonstrate significant protective properties with reduced azoalbumin lysis, total non-enzymatic fibrinolytic activity and proteinase activity by Kunitz in blood plasma. Such changes in old rats can be considered as an exacerbation of purulent inflammation, increase in toxicity, reduced protective properties, increase in manifestations of hypercoagulation against the background of chronic course of diabetes, caused by age-related changes.

[Pustular psoriasis]. / Pustulöse Psoriasis.

A number of pustular skin diseases share clinical, pathogenetic, and epidemiological aspects with plaque-type psoriasis, and their classification as a separate clinical entity or as a subtype of psoriasis remains controversial, which is also reflected in the multitude of their names. They include generalized pustular psoriasis with its subtypes, acrodermatitis continua suppurativa (Hallopeau), acute pustulosis palmopantaris, palmoplantar pustular psoriasis, and pustular variants of a mostly TNF-blocker triggered paradoxical psoriasiform dermatitis. In this article, the epidemiology, clinical picture, pathogenesis, genetics, and therapy of these pustular skin diseases are described.

Successful treatment of severe kerion Celsi in an immunocompromised girl with evacuation of pus, terbinafine and short course glucocorticosteroids.

A 6-year-old girl with a 2-year history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura complained of a 4-week history of scalp desquamation together with small pustules. During the recent 10 days, she complained of high fever with multiple abscesses formation with no response to intravenous antibiotics. She received varied doses of oral prednisone therapy for 2 years. Microscopy showed endothrix infection. We prescribed terbinafine 125 mg/d and prednisone 10 mg/d. After 1 week, she returned to our office with severe ache and persistent high fever. She refused any topical drugs because of pain. Manual pressure to remove pus from sinuses and infected scale under general anesthesia was done and about 100 ml pus was discharged from kerion lesions. Prednisone (1 mg/kg/d) was started and fever disappeared on the same day. Prednisone was tapered to withdraw in 10 days. A total of a 3-month course of oral terbinafine (125 mg/d) resulted in mycological clearance. Hair regrowth was satisfactory 8 months later.