Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in the Surgical Area at the Kara Teaching Hospital

Objective: To report the management of skin and soft tissue infections in the surgical area of Kara University Hospital in Togo. Material and Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, in the general surgery and orthopedic trauma departments. The study focused on soft tissue infections of the pelvic and thoracic limbs and analyzed epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary data. Results: We registered 165 patients, comprising 109 men and 56 women.The sex ratio (F/H) were 0.51. The mean age was 45 years with extremes ranging from 23 to 90 years. Farmers (64.8%) followed by housewives (34.0%) were the social strata most affected. The consultation period varied between 1 and 90 days. The pathologies found were necrotizing fasciitis (53.3%), erysipelas (18.2%), infected limb wounds (12.1%), pyomyositis (9.7%), and necrotizing dermo-hypodermitis (1.8%). The main procedures performed were necrosectomy and grafting (62.9%), sample necrosectomy (18.8%), drainage (9.7%), and pelvic limb amputation (1.2%). Follow-up was favorable in 86.7% of cases. The study noted a death rate of 13.3% due to septic shock secondary to a delay in consultation. Conclusion: Skin and soft tissue infections were a common reason for surgical hospitalization at Kara University Hospital, with a high mortality rate due to delayed consultations.

Oral and maxillofacial-head and neck reconstruction with soft tissue free flaps of 41 cases: A single team's experience

Objective To retrospectively review the single team's experience of oral and maxillofacialhead and neck reconstruction involving 41 soft tissue free flap procedures.Methods From 1994 to 2012,41 patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial-head and neck soft tissue free flap reconstruction at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Surgical Oncology,Hospital and College of Stomatology,Xi'an Jiaotong University,were reviewed with clinicopathologic data.Results The 41 patients included 24 men and 17 women with a mean age of 54 years.A total of 41 soft tissue free flaps were performed to reconstruct different anatomical structures in the head and neck region including oral mucosa,facial bone,head and neck skin.Two types of soft tissue free flaps were used to reconstruct surgical defects,including radial forearm flap and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap.Radial forearm flaps were used for 37cases and latissimus dorsi-myocutaneous flaps were 4 cases.Of 41 cases,39 were successful,with an overall success rate of 95.1%.There were 2 free flap failures,including one radial forearm flap and one latissimus dorsi-myocutaneous flap(partial flap necrosis);hence,the flap success rates for radial forearm flap and latissimus dorsimyocutaneous were,respectively,97.3% and 87.5%.Conclusions Radial forearm flap and latissimus dorsi-myocutaneous flap are reliable soft tissue free flaps to repair oral and maxillofacial-head and neck area with high success rate,which resulted in good functionally and cosmetically with fewer complications both donor and recipient sites.

Applied distally based peroneus brevis muscle flaps for coverage of the soft tissue defects over the lower one-third of the leg, ankle and foot

Objective To investigate a simple, valuable new method for coverage of the soft tissue defect over the lower one-third of the leg, ankle and the foot. Methods The distally based peroneus brevis muscle fkps were applied for coverage of the soft tissue defects over the lower one-third of the leg,the ankle and the foot. The muscle flaps were covered with split-thickness skin grafts. Results The distally based peroneus brevis muscle flaps were applied for coverage of the soft tissue defects over the lower one-third of the leg, the ankle and the foot in 16 cases. The larges area of the soft tissue defect was 5 cm × 7 cm. The smallest was 3 cm × 4 cm. Primary healing occured in 14 cases undergoing muscle flap construction, second-stage healing occured in 2 cases, no total flap necrosis occured in any cases. Conclusion ThisChina Medical Abstracts(Surgery) technigue is a simple and complication are lesser. The successful rates are higher. This muscle flap is suitable to the mudium or small soft tissue

Lower rotating point nutrient vessels of sural nerve flap with distant pedicled repairing soft tissue defect of foot and ankle

To explore lower rotating potint nutrient vessels of sural nerve flap with distant pedicled repairing the soft tissue defect of foot and ankle.Methods Lay a foundation of anatomic studying from february 2003 to March 2004,using lower rotating point nutrient vessels of sural nerve flap with distant pedicled repairing the soft tissue defect of foot and ankle in 11 cases.Cause of injuring:traffic accident 7 cases,crushing 1 case,saw injury 1 case,skin cancer 1 case,chronic ulcer 1 case.Areas:foot heel 6 cases,shank lower section 2 cases,heel tendon 2 cases,the distant back of the foot 1 case.Using the flap axis point was 1～3 cm above the pin of the external heel,average 2 cm.The scope of the flap was 6.0 cm×8.0 cm～12.0 cm～18.0 cm.Results All sural nerve flaps were alive.Of them,2 cases have distant part necrosis,accompanying with subcutaneous tissue,1 case heels after change dressings,another heels after skin grafting.All case can walk as usual,the flap was wear-resisting and keenly feel.Conclusion Lower rotating point nutrient vessels of sural nerve flap,donner area was fine,available area was large,skin in the pink,easy grafting,without main blood vessel damage,survival rate high,it is a good donner area in repairing around heel,foot and shank lower section.7 refs,1 tab.

Versatility of Reverse Sural Fasciocutaneous Flap for Reconstruction of Distal Lower Limb Soft tissue Defects

Summary： In this study we present our experiences with the reverse sural fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct the distal lower limb soft tissue defects caused by traumatic injuries. These flap graftings were carried out from Oct. 2010 to Dec. 2012 in our department. The series consisted of 36 patients, including 21 men and 15 women with an average age of 46.2 years （14-83 years） and with a medium followp period of 18 months （12-24 months）. Of all the cases of acute trauma, there were 10 eases of trauma of distal tibia, 9 cases of trauma of perimalleolus, and 17 cases of trauma of midfoot and forefoot. Related risk factors in the patients were diabetes （2 cases）, advanced age （〉65 years, 3 cases） and ciga- rette smoking （6 cases）. The reverse flow sural island flap irrigation depended on lower perforators of the peroneal artery. The fasciocutaneous pedicle was 3-4 cm in width and the anatomical structures consisted of the superficial and deep fascia, the sural nerve, short saphenous vein, superficial sural artery together with an islet of subcutaneous cellular tissue and skin. The most proximal border of the flap was only 1.5 cm away from the popliteal skin crease and the pivot point was 5-7 cm above the tip of the lateral malleolus. All the flaps survived. No arterial crisis occurred in any case. The venous congestion occurred in 2 cases and got better after raising the limbs and bloodletting. Only in an old man, 1.5 cm necrosis of distal margin of his flap occurred and finally healed after continuous dressing change. One-stage skin grafting was performed, and all the donor sites were sutured and successfully healed. It was concluded that the reverse sural fasciocutaneous flap is safe and reliable to extend to the proximal third even near the popliteal skin crease. We also concluded this flap can be safely and efficiently used to treat patients with large and far soft-tissue defects from the distal leg to the forefoot with more versatility and it is easier to reach the recipient sites.

Experimental study on early repair of oromaxillofacial perforating soft tissue defect due to gunshot in dogs

The left cheek of 8 adult male mongrel dogs was shot with M1935.56mm bul-let fired through an US-made M16 rifle to result in a perforating soft tissue defect.Pri-mary debridement was performed immediately and the secondary debridement 72h alter in-jury.After the secondary thorough debridement,the cutaneous side of the defect was re-paired with a saphenous artery-vein free skin(muscular)flap using microvascularanastomosis,and the oral side of the defect was repaired by drawing the surroundingmucosa together and fixing with sutures or with a local sliding mucous membrane flap.All the animals were kept under observation for 2～6 months.It was believed that the pri-mary debridement and secondary thorough debridement were both essential. The survivalrate of the free tissue flap was 75%(6/8).These facts suggest that early repair ofthe oromaxillofacial perforating soft tissue defect due to gunshot is practicable.

Application of a pre-filled tissue expander for preventing soft tissue incarceration during tibial distraction osteogenesis

BACKGROUND Bone transport and distraction osteogenesis has been widely used to treat bone defects after traumatic surgery,but,skin and soft tissue incarceration can be as high as 27.6%.AIM To investigate the efficacy of inserting a tissue expander to prevent soft tissue incarceration.METHODS Between January 2016 and December 2018,12 patients underwent implantation of a tissue expander in the subcutaneous layer in the vicinity of a tibial defect to maintain the soft tissue in position.A certain amount of normal saline was injected into the tissue expander during surgery and was then gradually extracted to shrink the expander during the course of transport distraction osteogenesis.The tissue expander was removed when the two ends of the tibial defect were close enough.RESULTS In all 12 patients,the expanders remained intact in the subcutaneous layer of the bone defect area during the course of transport distraction osteogenesis.When bone transport was adequate,the expander was removed and the bone transport process was completed.During the whole process,there was no incarceration of skin and soft tissue in the bone defect area.Complications occurred in one patient,who experienced poor wound healing.CONCLUSION The pre-filled expander technique can effectively avoid soft tissue incarceration.The authors’primary success with this method indicates that it may be a valuable tool in the management of incarcerated soft tissue.

The clinical characteristics and risk factors for necrotizing soft tissue infection in children

Importance:Necrotizing soft tissue infection(NSTI)is a serious infectious disease.However,the early clinical manifestations and indicators of NSTI in children are still unclear.Objective:The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors of NSTI in pediatric patients.Methods:A total of 127 children with skin and soft tissue infection(SSTI)were treated at our hospital and divided into two groups:the NSTI group and the non-NSTI group,based on their discharge diagnosis from January 2011 to December 2022.Then,we collected and analyzed the clinical characteristics and risk factors of all patients,including sex and age,disease inducement,admission temperature,local skin manifestations,infection site,the presence of sepsis,bacterial culture,and laboratory indicators.Results:In our study,there was a statistical difference in the age distribution and disease inducement between NSTI and non-NSTI groups.The occurrence of local skin manifestations(blisters/bullae and ecchymosis)and the presence of sepsis significantly increased in the NSTI group compared to the non-NSTI group.Additionally,only the platelet count on laboratory tests was statistically different between the NSTI and non-NSTI groups.Finally,the logistic regression analysis suggested that local skin manifestations such as blisters/bullae,and ecchymosis,as well as the presence of sepsis,were identified as risk factors for NSTI.Interpretation:Children with SSTI and skin manifestations such as blisters/bullae,ecchymosis,and the presence of sepsis are at a higher risk of developing NSTI.These symptoms serve as useful indicators for early detection of NSTI.

The ever-changing microenvironment of Staphylococcus aureus in cutaneous infections

Background:Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for the majority of skin and soft tissue infections,which are often diagnosed at a late stage,thereby impacting treatment efficacy.Our study was designed to reveal the physiological changes at different stages of infection by S.aureus through the combined analysis of variations in the skin microenvironment,providing insights for the diagnosis and treatment of S.aureus infections.Methods:We established a murine model of skin and soft tissue infection with S.aureus as the infectious agent to investigate the differences in the microenvironment at different stages of infection.By combining analysis of the host immune status and histological observations,we elucidate the progression of S.aureus infection in mice.Results:The results indicate that the infection process in mice can be divided into at least two stages:early infection(1–3 days post-i nfection)and late infection(5–7 days post-i nfection).During the early stage of infection,notable symptoms such as erythema and abundant exudate at the infection site were observed.Histological examination revealed infiltration of numerous neutrophils and bacterial clusters,accompanied by elevated levels of cytokines(IL-6,IL-10).There was a decrease in microbial alpha diversity within the microenvironment(Shannon,Faith's PD,Chao1,Observed species,Simpson,Pielou's E).In contrast,during the late stage of infection,a reduction or even absence of exudate was observed at the infected site,accompanied by the formation of scabs.Additionally,there was evidence of fibroblast proliferation and neovascularization.The levels of cytokines and microbial composition gradually returned to a healthy state.Conclusion:This study reveals synchrony between microbial composition and histological/immunological changes during S.aureus-i nduced SSTIs.

Severe monobacterial necrotizing soft tissue infection by group A Streptococcus:A surgical emergency

Eight percent of necrotizing soft tissue infections(NSTI) are attributable to group A Streptococci(GAS),and among these,50%develop streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.The reported mortality associated with NSTI reaches 32%.We present cases of two healthy individuals with minor GAS skin infection which developed to a rapidly progressed NSTI and sepsis despite of the antibiotic treatment,aiming to discuss the lessons learned from the course and management of these patients.

Effect of artificial dermis combined with jinfu ning on skin healing and bacterial detection rate of finger abdomen

Objective: To explore the effect of artificial dermis combined with rhGM-CSF(Jinfuning) on healing of soft tissue defect of finger ventral skin and the influence of bacterial detection rate. Methods: Totally 110 patients with finger injury admitted to the rehabilitation department of our department from January 2017 to June 2018 were collected and divided into control group and observation group according to the random number table method with 55 cases in each group. The control group received direct artificial derma lrepairing after thorough debridement, while the observation group received recombinant gm-csf gel coating on the wound surface before artificial dermal repairing, Wound healing, wound inflammation, bacterial detection rate, inflammatory factor expression, follow-up and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results: The wound healing rate of the observation group at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment was significantly higher than that of the control group (t= 11.211, P =0.000).( T = 14.895, P =0.000;T = 25.346, P=0.000;T =8.247, P=0.000). The wound healing time of the observation group was (19.7±2.3) d, and that of the control group was (27.4±3.3) d. The average wound healing time of the observation group was significantly shorter than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=14.197, P= 0.000). Observation group wound inflammation at each time point score was significantly lower than the control group, the group rooms, time points, ·point interaction effect between the comparison, the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05), the observation group wound bacteria detection rate of 7.27% (4 cases) : the control bacteria detection rate was 21.81% (12 cases), difference was statistically significant (chi-square = 4.68, P= 0.0305), the observation group of bacteria detection rate was significantly lower than the control group;The bacteria detected in the two groups were mainly e. coli, tetanus bacillus and fungi. There was no significant difference in the indicators between the two groups before treatment, and the values of inflammatory cytokines il-1 and TNF- IOD in the two groups were significantly decreased after treatment, and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). No serious adverse reactions occurred in either group during the treatment. Conclusion: the application of artificial dermals combined with jinfuning can promote wound healing of skin and soft tissue defect of finger abdomen, effectively inhibit bacterial infection of wound surface, reduce inflammation and infection,reducing bacterial detection rate.

Application of radial collateral artery perforator flap in severe posterior elbow skin defect

exposed wound of deep tissue behind elbow. Methods From April 2016 to December 2018, 28 patients with posterior elbow skin and soft tissue defect with exposed bone and tendon were treated in our hospital. the radial collateral artery perforator flap was used to repair the wound. There were 19 cases of skin defect with ulna exposure after electric shock injury, 5 cases of hot compression injury and 4 cases of bone exposure caused by skin contusion after traffic accident. Results There is no complication after the operation, all the flaps were survived. The flaps had good quality and satisfactory recovery of appearance and function. Conclusion The lateral upper arm flap designed by perforating branch of radial collateral artery is an effective method for posterior elbow skin and soft tissue defect because of its constant anatomic position and long vascular pedicle.

Flap transplantation for treatment of pelvic fracture and defective hip

A case of flap transplantation for treatment of pelvic fracture and defective hip in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University was collected and analyzed on the basis of diagnosis,physical examination and treatment.The patient was in serious condition with large necrotic area and prone to lead to various complications.The paper aims to share experience and provide references for similar cases amongst surgeons.

Soft tissue defects of the hand:etiology and classification

Soft tissue defects of the hand may result from trauma,oncological procedures,or severe infections.Different etiologies have been discussed.In all cases,an accurate clinical examination is mandatory to understand which structures are involved and what must be reconstructed.It can be helpful to simplify the decision-making process to classify these lesions.However,there is no consensus on which classification is best to be used among those described in the literature.This review presents the most common ones,differentiating those classically used to describe tissue loss consequential to a traumatic event from those used to classify soft tissue defects consequent to other events.

Management of soft tissue defects of the thumb

Hand surgery has undergone substantial changes in recent years,especially for reconstructive surgery techniques.We discuss the management of soft tissue defects of the thumb,discussing indications,and operative pearls and pitfalls.We cover non-operative treatment and local advancement flaps for small distal soft tissue defects and pedicled flaps for more significant defects.We also discuss composite vascularized free flaps such as second-toe neurocutaneous flaps and partial hallux transfer for compound defects or total amputations.This article aims to provide hand surgeons with an update on reconstructing an injured thumb.

胸背动脉穿支皮瓣在肩胸背部创面修复中的临床应用

目的探讨胸背动脉穿支皮瓣在肩胸背部皮肤软组织缺损修复中的应用。方法自2019年1月至2022年12月,应用胸背动脉穿支皮瓣修复肩胸背部皮肤软组织缺损8例,致伤原因均为肿瘤切除术后。术前应用CTA和手持多普勒超声确认胸背动脉的存在、走行、分支及穿支位置。根据创面位置、面积设计胸背动脉穿支皮瓣。皮瓣仅携带穿支发出位置的极少量肌肉,将胸背动脉降支近端从肌肉内剥离,保留胸背动脉横支和胸背神经。如血管蒂长度不足,可切断横支。皮瓣带蒂转移修复创面。供瓣区拉拢缝合。结果8例皮瓣均存活,供瓣区切口愈合好。随访6个月到2年,所有患者受区外观满意,供瓣区无明显畸形,肩关节功能无明显影响。结论胸背动脉穿支皮瓣血供可靠,血管蒂长,且基本完整地保留了背阔肌功能,是修复肩胸背部邻近创面的良好选择。

股前外侧穿支皮瓣的个性化精准设计:十年1079例临床疗效分析

目的探讨个性化精准设计的股前外侧穿支皮瓣重建各种复杂组织缺损的临床疗效。方法回顾分析我科2013年1月-2023年1月采用个性化精准设计的各种股前外侧穿支皮瓣修复的1079例患者的临床疗效。以旋股外侧动脉降支为血管蒂切取1013例(其中小儿65例)、横支为血管蒂切取40例、斜支为血管蒂切取26例(小儿1例),以旋股内侧动脉或股动脉来源穿支为蒂切取9例。其中传统股前外侧穿支皮瓣游离移植441例、带蒂转移27例、特殊形式穿支皮瓣基本术式511例、衍生术式100例。修复下肢787例,上肢264例,躯干部17例,头颈部4例,上述多部位7例。并对各种个性化精准设计的股前外侧穿支皮瓣术后临床疗效及并发症发生率进行统计比较。结果本组1079例股前外侧穿支皮瓣中,术后顺利成活1063例,其中发生血管危象行探查术成活14例,总成功率为98.52%。比较游离股前外侧穿支皮瓣、带蒂转移、特殊形式穿支皮瓣基本术式和衍生术式各组成功率,结果显示各组间成功率无明显差异(P>0.05)。本组1079例股前外侧穿支皮瓣主要并发症发生情况:静脉危象35例(3.24%),动脉危象22例(2.04%),感染19例(1.76%),切口延迟愈合6例(0.56%),完全坏死16例(1.48%),部分坏死35例(3.24%)。统计学分析显示静脉危象方面特殊形式穿支皮瓣基本类型组发生率低于衍生术式组(P<0.001),切口感染方面带蒂转移组发生率高于特殊形式穿支皮瓣组(P=0.007),切口延迟愈合方面传统游离移植组发生率高于特殊形式穿支皮瓣组(P=0.04),皮瓣部分坏死方面带蒂转移组发生率高于特殊形式穿支皮瓣组(P=0.008)。结论股前外侧穿支皮瓣个性化精准设计,可以获得良好的临床疗效,值得临床推广应用。

分叶股前外侧穿支皮瓣在四肢软组织缺损修复中的应用

目的报道应用分叶股前外侧穿支皮瓣修复四肢大面积软组织缺损的临床效果。方法2014年11月至2024年4月,应用分叶股前外侧穿支皮瓣修复四肢复杂软组织缺损168例。皮瓣切取面积24 cm×7 cm~37 cm×10 cm。穿支皮瓣的动脉、静脉、皮神经分别与受区动脉、静脉、皮神经吻合,168例供区均一期直接缝合。术后随访5个月~7年,随访方式门诊及微信,内容包括皮瓣血运、色泽及质地、外观、感觉恢复及供区愈合情况。结果165例皮瓣全部成活,无感染发生。1例单叶皮瓣坏死,2例皮瓣完全坏死,二次手术清创,待创面清洁后予以游离皮片移植,创面愈合。皮瓣供区一期美容缝合,无骨筋膜室综合征发生。术后随访5个月~7年,成活皮瓣血运良好,色泽、质地与受区相近,其中3例外形略臃肿,二期行皮瓣整形手术,术后外形满意。皮瓣供区术后呈线形瘢痕,位置隐蔽,无明显增生。结论股前外侧穿支皮瓣由旋股外侧动脉滋养,该动脉解剖分支位置相对稳定,穿支多,适合进行分叶皮瓣的设计。分叶设计及切取的方式既可以修复位置相近的多处创面;又可以将受区的宽度转化为供区的长度,使供区一期闭合创口;同时,在手足解剖分界部位通过分叶设计可以展现良好的生理折线。分叶股前外侧穿支皮瓣是一种理想的的修复四肢复杂软组织缺损的方法。

游离背阔肌双叶皮瓣修复肢体软组织缺损的效果

目的探讨游离背阔肌双叶皮瓣修复肢体软组织缺损的效果。方法采用游离背阔肌双叶皮瓣修复9例肢体严重创伤患者,胸背动脉外侧分支背阔肌皮瓣切取范围为13.5 cm×6.5 cm~23.5 cm×9.0 cm,胸背动脉内侧分支背阔肌皮瓣切取范围为6.5 cm×5.5 cm~10.5 cm×7.5 cm。皮瓣切取后进行适当调整以修复各种不规则的缺损创面,皮瓣供区创面可直接缝合或仅需少量皮片移植修复。结果患者均获得随访,时间6~23个月。术后8例游离背阔肌双叶皮瓣全部成活,1例胸背动脉内侧支背阔肌皮瓣远端少部分坏死,经二期切除缺损创面直接缝合后愈合。7例因皮瓣臃肿行皮瓣修薄术,2例无需二次修整。末次随访时9例皮瓣质地及外形均良好,创伤肢体活动功能均恢复满意。7例供区直接缝合,遗留线状瘢痕,2例供区少量皮片移植修复。结论背阔肌皮瓣解剖恒定,血运可靠,供区隐蔽,切取面积范围大,是修复肢体严重创伤大面积软组织缺损的良好方法,而且采取双叶切取既有利于供区创面直接缝合,又有利于不规则创面的修复。

肝硬化失代偿期患者皮肤感染致脓毒性休克的护理

总结1例肝硬化失代偿期患者皮肤软组织非特异性感染致脓毒性休克的护理体会。护理要点:以目标平均动脉压为导向,实施液体复苏;加强全程营养管理,加速创面修复;肝硬化失代偿期间,出血与血栓防范护理;加强院感管理,预防院内感染。经过45 d个性化的治疗和护理,双下肢植皮存活,无院内感染发生,患者康复出院。