Chronic Pain Management after Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection (NSTI): A Case Report

Background: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are potentially life threatening medical emergencies associated with devastating and rapidly spreading destruction of soft tissues. Atypical presentations and delayed early diagnosis can be significant challenges in managing NSTIs. The infectious process can start at any part of the body with rapid progression leading to limb amputation and high mortality rate. We present a case of a patient with NSTI, the sequelae and management of the chronic pain that developed. Aim: This case report looks to shed light on the importance of a plan for management of subacute and chronic pain in treating patients who present with Necrotizing soft tissue infection. Case presentation: A 53-year-old female who presented with septicemia and was subsequently admitted and treated for NSTI in 2014 resulting in amputation of her distal foot, toe digits, and now with ongoing chronic wound of the lower extremities along with chronic pain. Conclusion: Chronic pain as part of the sequelae of Necrotizing soft tissue infections needs to be anticipated by the health care management team in order to optimize patient care post operatively.

Clinical observation of removal of the necrotic corneal tissue combined with conjunctival flap covering surgery under the guidance of the AS-OCT in treatment of fungal keratitis

AIM: To study the clinical observation of removal of the necrotic corneal tissue combined with conjunctival flap covering surgery under the guidance of the AS-OCT in treatment of fungal keratitis. METHODS:A retrospective study was done to 10 patients (10 eyes) who had accepted removal of the necrotic corneal tissue combined with conjunctival flap covering surgery for fungal keratitis,the diagnosis by corneal scraping and smear examination or confocal microscopy check hyphae. Local and systemic antifungal therapy more than one week for all patients, corneal ulcer enlarge or no shrink. Slit lamp microscope examination the diameter of corneal ulcer about 2mm-4mm. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT)examine the depth of corneal ulcer between 1/3-1/2, infiltrate corneal stroma about 20um-80um,the diameter of corneal ulcer about 3mm-6mm.Type-B ultrasonic exclusion endophthalmitis. Complete removal lesions until transparent of stoma, make conjunctival flap equal or greater than ulcer 1mm nearby conjunctiva. Continued antifungal therapy. The vision, fungal recurrence, conjunctival flap rollback or desquamate were analysed. ' RESULTS:Ten patients had success done this surgery, the corneal ulcer was not enlarge and healing afteroperation. 7 cases were bridging conjunctival flap and 3cases were single conjunctival flap. Preoperation vision above 0.1 had 8 cases,7 cases had vision above 0.1 one week after surgery, while 1 cases vision droped from 0.3 to 0.05.There was not recurrent for fungal,2 cases conjunctival flap rollback:1 case was bridging and 1case was single flap, no conjunctival flap desquamate. CONCLUSION: It is safe and effective to perform removal of the necrotic corneal tissue combined with conjunctival flap covering surgery under the guidance of the AS-OCT in treatment of fungal keratitis which werenot sensitive or aggravate for antifungal drugs.

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections of the Male and Female Breast: A Literature Review

Background: Within the spectrum of necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI), necrotizing fasciitis (NF) has been characterized by tissue and fascial necrosis with systemic toxicity. The objective was to determine and summarize the frequency and characteristics of breast NF and NSTI in the literature. Methods: Cases were obtained through PubMed, Google Scholar, Google, and from published article reference sections. One hundred twenty-three cases were gleaned from 96 articles that reported NF and NSTI of the breast (1924 through 2021). Results: NF was reported in 70 and NSTI in 53 cases (111 women and 12 men). Patients presented with swollen, painful breasts, erythema, bullae, crepitus, necrosis, gangrene, fever, tachycardia, and neutrophilia. Fifty-nine of 123 (48.4%) patients were septic on admission. The most frequent microorganisms were β hemolytic Group A Streptococcus, and Staphylococcus aureus. Treatment consisted of antibiotics, mastectomy and debridement with flaps, skin grafts or primary and secondary closure. Forty-four (63.0%) of the NF cases had chest wall involvement;of these, 18 (14.6%) involved the breast secondarily, P < 0.0001. There were twelve mortalities (9.8%): eleven (9.0%) with NF and one (0.8%) with NSTI, P = 0.007. Conclusions: Men and women with breast NF and NSTI presented with similar signs and symptoms and required the same emergent treatment as provided for NF and NSTI of the more common sites. As a time-sensitive disease, patients treated within 12 hours of admission had a better survival. Patients with NF were more likely to have sepsis on admission, a higher mortality, and fascial chest wall/muscle involvement than patients with NSTI.

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.

Management protocol for Fournier’s gangrene in sanitary regime caused by SARS-CoV-2 pandemic:A case report

BACKGROUND Fournier's gangrene(FG)is a serious,aggressive and often deadly polymicrobial infection of the soft tissues of the perineum,the rectum and the external genital organs.It is an anatomical subcategory of necrotizing fasciitis,which has a similar etiology and treatment strategy.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old man was admitted to the hospital during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic with complaints of fever up to 38.9°C,abdominal pain,and edema of the scrotum,the penis,the perineum,and the right gluteal region for 2 d.Computed tomography of the abdomen and the pelvis revealed extensive inflammatory infiltrations of the subcutaneous tissue of the hypogastrium,and the penis;along with liquefaction and presence of gas in the subcutaneous tissues of the scrotum,the perineum,and the right gluteal region.The patient was diagnosed with FG,and was urgently qualified to undergo surgery in the Department of Urology.After performing the necessary examinations,a resection of the necrotic tissues with bilateral orchiectomy and excision of the penile and scrotal skin was performed.After surgery,he was transferred to the intensive care unit for further management.CONCLUSION Early management prevents the resection of the other organs by inhibiting the contiguous spread of infection.

Routine laboratory parameters in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis by the time of operative pancreatic debridement:Food for thought

BACKGROUND Timing of invasive intervention such as operative pancreatic debridement(OPD)in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis(ANP)is linked to the degree of encapsulation in necrotic collections and controlled inflammation.Additional markers of these processes might assist decision-making on the timing of surgical intervention.In our opinion,it is logical to search for such markers among routine laboratory parameters traditionally used in ANP patients,considering simplicity and cost-efficacy of routine laboratory methodologies.AIM To evaluate laboratory variables in ANP patients in the preoperative period for the purpose of their use in the timing of surgery.METHODS A retrospective analysis of routine laboratory parameters in 53 ANP patients undergoing OPD between 2017 and 2020 was performed.Dynamic changes of routine hematological and biochemical indices were examined in the preoperative period.Patients were divided into survivors and non-survivors.Survivors were divided into subgroups with short and long post-surgery length of stay(LOS)in hospital.Correlation analysis was used to evaluate association of laboratory variables with LOS.Logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for patient mortality.RESULTS Seven patients(15%)with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)and 46 patients(85%)with moderately SAP(MSAP)were included in the study.Median age of participants was 43.2 years;33(62.3%)were male.Pancreatitis etiology included biliary(15%),alcohol(80%),and idiopathic/other(5%).Median time from diagnosis to OPD was≥4 wk.Median postoperative LOS was at the average of 53 d.Mortality was 19%.Progressive increase of platelet count in preoperative period was associated with shortened LOS.Increased aspartate aminotransferase and direct bilirubin(DB)levels the day before the OPD along with weak progressive decrease of DB in preoperative period were reliable predictors for ANP patient mortality.CONCLUSION Multifactorial analysis of dynamic changes of routine laboratory variables can be useful for a person-tailored timing of surgical intervention in ANP patients.

Fournier’s Gangrene: Experience with Two Severe Cases

Fournier’s Gangrene is a formidable rare disease characterized by high mortality rates despite optimal medical and surgical management. It is an acute surgical emergency and requires a high degree of suspicion. The mainstay of treatment is swift open drainage and early aggressive surgical debridement of all necrotic tissue, followed by targeted antibiotic therapy. The authors report on two patients who were admitted to the surgical ward. Both presented with initial perianal sepsis complicated by painful swollen scrotum with rapid progression of gangrene of the scrotal skin and subcutaneous tissue, extensive cellulitis of the perineum, and in one patient crepitation of the anterior abdominal wall. A diagnosis of Fournier’s Gangrene was made and they were both managed by prompt resuscitation, broad-spectrum antibiotics, extensive debridement of all necrotic tissue in theatre, daily wound dressing, and repeated neurectomy on the ward. One of the patients had a colostomy done and the other a cystostomy to divert feces and relieve chronic urinary retention respectively. These patients were successfully treated despite the severity of their conditions which was complicated by severe sepsis in the face of limited diagnostic capabilities and resources, using a multidisciplinary approach and basic clinical monitoring as a guide.

Combined debridement in chronic wounds:A literature review

Wounds debridement is important for healing of chronic wounds. Combined debridement is a new technique to deal with the complex chronic wounds. This review introduces several topical methods of combined debridement according to the various color classifications. Methods include combined sharp and hydrogel debridement, combined ultrasonic and enzymatic debridement, ultrasonic debridement combined with surgical debridement and vacuum aspiration on debridement, and other types of debridement. This article also explores why each combined debridement mentioned above can achieve a good effect.

Oseltamevir Helps Cure COVID 19, Corona Pandemic Carried by Global Abortion/Contraception, Global Blood/Necrotic Tissue Environmental Pollution;Guaranteed Corona Elimination by Implementing Many Childbirth per Family [Earth Bus Fare/Ticket];Contraception Reversal;Abolition of Global Contraception [One Child Policy, Small Family Norms], Abortion [Jumping off Cliff to Fly-Marred Science]<br/>—Retrospective Analysis

Over the past one year and three months, 150 out patients with COVID 19 have been treated with early initiation of Oseltamevir 75 mg × 2 [150 mg] twice daily, with azithromycin, cephalosporin [to give atypical bacterial cover, gram positive bacterial cover, respectively] enabling cure. Corona virus pandemic was enabled by global contraception/abortion [non evidence based non medical practice] with its blood/necrotic tissue environmental pollution-documented by rising environmental oestrogen/alpha feto protein/beta human chorionic gonadotropin. Global contraception abortion with its blood, necrotic tissue environmental pollution provides a rich environmental media for Corona virus-a fastidious organism to become pandemic, with recurrent mutations. Guaranteed elimination of this fastidious organism-corona virus [and other microbes like Ebola, Nipah…] by implementing many childbirths per mother [earth bus fare/ticket] as God ordained abolition of global contraception, abortion, one child policy/small family norms [jumping off cliff to fly-marred science] with its blood/necrotic tissue pollution, mandatory reversal of contraception. Steroids are deleterious in any viral infection, being immunosuppressants-secondary mucormycosis, other fungal [less virulent] infections can follow;corona virus itself can mutate, gain virulence, drug resistance;but prior contraception-destroying germ cells, prior abortion [destruction of tissue] in the victim host result in auto-immunity of corresponding gradations including fatal HLH [Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis], cytokine storm, requiring immunomodulation with plasmapheresis, steroids, hydroxychloroquine without much avail. Vaccine is live attenuated virus administered to our tissue, to elicit antibody response to the future viral invasion;inhaled virus elicits autoimmunity of varied gradations, [including fatal HLH] in the victim host, secondary to prior abortions/contraception [varied destruction of tissue, germ cells in the victim host];similar significant autoimmunity can be invoked in vaccine administered to tissue. Earth Bus Fare/ticket, many child birth per family as God ordained [with no menstrual blood pollution of mothers] leads to ozone generation, with ensuing unfailing monsoon rains, self sustaining ecology, zooming global economy, which increased longevity of life of parents, strengthened Earth’s magnet, absolute strong security preventing unmanned air vehicle robbery, non nuclear robotic war [remote control operations]. Whereas global abortion/contraception [one child policy, small family norms] [jumping off cliff to fly-marred science] with its blood/necrotic tissue environmental pollution results in inevitable emergence, drug resistance, [mutations] virulence of microbes including corona virus, ebola, nipah … inevitable ecological disasters namely-ozone depletion, tsunamis, hail storms, flash floods, tornadoes, oil fire, forest fire, … to name a few;global recession;early demise of contracepted/aborted parents.

Complex Limb Salvage with Placental-Based Allografts: A Pilot Study

Background: Commercially available human placental amnion/chorion tissue allografts have been successfully used as protective treatment barriers for wounds and diabetic ulcers. Burn and traumatic limb injuries with exposed bone or tendon generally require surgical flaps or amputations for healing. The purpose of this study was to determine if dehydrated human amnion/ chorion membrane allografts (dHACM) with decellularized human collagen matrix (dHCM) could be used to salvage injured human extremities. Methods and Materials: dHACM/dHCM was topically applied to the wounds after debridement. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) was concurrently initiated, primarily to bolster the tissue with moisture and contamination control. Approximately every seven days, wounds were re-evaluated for granulation tissue growth response. As needed, patients received dHACM/ dHCM and NPWT in the outpatient or home care settings after discharge. Results: Fifteen males and two females (26 extremities) were treated for fourteen burn and three Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections (NSTI) injuries. Closure was observed in patients after two to five dHACM/dHCM applications. The dHACM/dHCM treatment was initiated: (median) 17-days after injury;NPWT for 17-days;autograft or primary closure after 21-days;discharge 25-days after the first application. Conclusion: Treatment with human placental-derived allografts provided a protective covering that enabled the healing cascade to generate granulation tissue formation in extremity wounds with exposed tendon and/or bone. In select limb salvage cases, dHACM/dHCM treatment may be a promising alternative to amputations, tissue rearrangements, free tissue flaps or other techniques for resolution of extremity wounds with bone and tendon exposure.

Histopathological study of chronic wounds modulated by intermittent negative pressure therapy under limited access dressing

Aim:Negative pressure wound therapy(NPWT)has achieved widespread success in the treatment of chronic wounds.However,its effects have been only partially explored,and investigations have generally concentrated on the wound-dressing interface;a detailed histopathological description of the evolution of wounds under NPWT is still lacking.The present study was performed to investigate the effect of a limited access dressing(LAD)which exerts intermittent NPWT in a moist environment on chronic wounds.Methods:A total of 140 patients were randomized into 2 groups:LAD group(n=64)and conventional dressing group(n=76).By histopathological analysis of the granulation tissue,the amount of inflammatory infiltrate,necrotic tissue,angiogenesis,and extracellular matrix(ECM)deposition was studied and compared to determine healing between the 2 groups.Results:After 10 days of treatment,histopathological analysis showed a significant decrease in necrotic tissue with LAD compared to the conventional dressing group(mean±standard error,11.5±0.48 vs.10.1±0.30,P=0.007),the number of inflammatory cells(12.6±0.60 vs.8.63±0.35,P=0.018),a significant increase in new blood vessels(12.8±0.58 vs.9.3±0.29,P=0.005)and ECM deposit(13.3±0.50 vs.9.6±0.24,P=0.001).Conclusion:LAD exerts its beneficial effects on chronic wound healing by decreasing the amount of necrotic tissue and inflammatory cells while increasing the amount of ECM deposition and angiogenesis.