OBJECTIVETo study the application of VSD in the treatment of severe necrotizing fasciitis in extremities of patients.

METHODSEight patients, suffering from severe necrotizing fasciitis, who had been traditionally treated with iodophor-soaked gauze for 21 to 365 days in other hospitals, were transferred to our institute because of the nonhealing wounds and systemic toxic symptoms induced by infection, from January 2011 to August 2013. After admission, surgical debridement was performed timely, and the necrotic tissue was collected during the operation for pathological observation after HE staining. After the operation, VSD was started with negative pressure ranging from -100 to -80 kPa, and the furacilin solution (0.2 g/L) and oxygen (2 L/min) were continuously infused into the wound during the treatment. Surgical debridement was performed repeatedly according to the wound condition followed by change of VSD dressings to continue VSD treatment. The wounds were closed by suturing or with autologous skin grafts after being covered by fresh granulation tissue. The times of surgical debridement, times of change of VSD materials, wound healing status, and length of stay in our institute were recorded. All patients were followed up for a long time. Results HE staining showed that there were diffuse necrotic adipose and fibrous connective tissues in the necrotic tissue, and the normal tissue structure disappeared accompanied by significant infiltration of inflammatory cells. The number of surgical debridement was 2 to 10 (3.9 +/- 2.8) times. The number of VSD materials change was 2 to 10 (4.0 +/- 2.9) times. Wounds were closed by suturing and healed in two patients; wounds in the other six patients were partially sutured, their residual wounds were healed by autologous skin grafting. The length of stay in our institute was 20 to 49 (33 +/- 10) days. All patients were discharged after recovery. Patients were followed up for 2 to 24 months, and their wounds were found to be in good condition without ulceration or recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSVSD can effectively remove the necrotic tissues and exudates from the fascial spaces and promote proliferation of granulation tissue. Therefore it serves as an effective approach to the treatment of severe necrotizing fasciitis in extremities.

Debridement ; Drainage ; Extremities ; surgery ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; surgery ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Oxygen ; Pressure ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Ulcer ; Vacuum

Objective To investigate the role and possible mechanism of combination use of chloroquine (CQ) with either dexamethasone (DEX) or radiation on multiple myeloma (MM) cell line U266 .Methods Cell viability of U266 treated with CQ alone ,or CQ combined with either DEX or radiation was measured by cell counting kit-8 (cck8) .CalcuSyn method was used to assess effect of drugs interaction .Cell viability and apoptosis of U266 pre-treated with CQ were also measured by cck8 and flow cytometry after radiation .Expression of B-cellymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in U266 cells treated by CQ combined with DEX or radiation was determined by Western blot analysis .Results Either CQ or DEX displayed a dose dependent cell proliferation in-hibitory effect on U266 cells .Cytotoxic effect of DEX (125 μmol/L) on U266 cells was enhanced and expression of Bcl-2 pro-tein in U266 cells was decreased by combining with CQ (3 .9 μmol/L) .U266 cells were sensitized to radiation and cell death was induced by CQ (1 .0 μmol/L) .Conclusion CQ could sensitize cytotoxic effect of DEX or radiation on U 266 cells ,and the former was possibly related to down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein .

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of intraoperative prepositioning of dual mediastinal drains in elderly patients developing anastomotic leakage(AL)after a total endoscopic Ivor-Lewis procedure.Methods:This retrospective case-control study analyzed the clinical data of 500 elderly patients who underwent total endoscopic Ivor-Lewis surgery for esophageal or cardia cancer from January 2020 to December 2022.In the control group, one mediastinal drainage tube was placed intraoperatively, while in the study group, two mediastinal drainage tubes were placed.Both groups had a chest tube placed conventionally.The study compared the incidence of anastomotic leak(AL)at 1 month postoperatively, inflammatory indexes in patients with AL, grading of AL, rate of nasal fistula placement, incision infection, anastomotic stenosis, and incidence of hoarseness.Additionally, it compared ICU occupancy, ventilator use, and ICU length of stay between the two groups.Results:The analysis included clinical data from 455 elderly patients.Among the patients who developed AL, the study group had significantly lower peak body temperature[(39.58±1.03)℃ vs.(38.05±0.56)℃, t=4.298, P<0.05], white blood cell count[(18.63±3.35)×10 9/L vs.(14.28±2.78)×10 9/L, t=3.450, P<0.05], and C-reactive protein(CRP)levels[(154.66±41.64)mg/L vs.(122.19±31.29)mg/L, t=2.131, P<0.05]. The study group also had a significantly lower grading of AL and rate of nasal fistula placement(82.4% vs.30.0%, P<0.05). In terms of ICU indicators, the study group had a significantly lower ICU admission rate(64.7% vs.10.0%, P<0.05), shorter period of ventilator use[(6.47±8.15)days vs.(0.90±2.23)days, t=2.62, P<0.05], and shorter ICU stay[(11.70±8.89)days vs.(4.70±6.27)days, t=2.184, P<0.05]. Conclusions:Double mediastinal drainage tubes, have been found to significantly alleviate inflammation, decrease the rate of nasal fistula placement and ICU admission, and shorten the length of ICU stay in elderly patients.Therefore, they are considered safe and deserving of clinical promotion.

Objective: To evaluate 3D imaging technology in the preoperative evaluation of breast conserving surgery. Methods: A ret-rospective analysis was conducted using clinical data from 38 patients who underwent breast conserving surgery that was assisted by 3D imaging technology in Xiaogan Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology from April 2017 to January 2019. All 38 patients underwent 3.0-T breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination before surgery, and 3D reconstruction of virtu-al images was constructed through 3D modeling of medical digital imaging and communication (DICOM) data. The predicted resected tissue volume was compared with the volume of the actual resected specimen, and the surgical margin and postoperative aesthetics of the breast conserving surgery were evaluated. Results: The reconstructed 3D model clearly displayed the anatomical structures of the breast, tumor, gland, and blood vessels, and their relationship in 3D spaces. The goodness of fit of the 3D model to the practical sit-uation was 97.4% (37/38). In terms of the resection tissue volume, there was no significant difference between the predicted results (PRTV) and actual results (ARTV) [(61.7 ± 20.1) mL vs. (65.1 ± 20.7) mL, P>0.05]. There was a strong positive correlation between ARTV and PRTV (P<0.01). One patient underwent supplementary secondary surgery, resulting in an incidence of 2.6% (1/38). The postopera-tive satisfaction for breast conserving surgery was 100% (38/38). Conclusions: 3D imaging technology clearly displays the anatomical relationship between breast tumor and surrounding tissues, and correctly assesses breast volume, guiding surgical resection.

Objective To evaluate the performance of the Sendai Guidelines,Fukuoka Guidelines and Pancreatic Cystic Lesions Management Guidelines (Chinese guidelines) in predicting malignant mucinous pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN).Methods A retrospective analysis of 196 patients,who received surgery and were pathologically identified as PCN or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN),underwent surgical resection in Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University from January 2003 to April 2017 was performed.The differences on clinical and pathological parameters between malignant mucinous and benign mucinous PCN were compared.The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value (PPV)and negative predictive value (NPV) of the indications for surgery in the Sendai,Fukuoka and Chinese Guidelines in predicting malignant mucinous PCN were calculated.Results Of 196 patients,39 patients (19.9％) were confirmed as malignant tumors and 157 patients (80.1％) were confirmed as benign tumors by pathology.There were significant differences on age,symptoms (abdominal pain,jaundice or pancreatitis),tumor solid composition,pancreatic duct diameter,tumor site,tumor diameter ＞3 cm,and serum CA199 level between malignant and benign patients (all P ＜0.05).But there were no significant differences on gender distribution,tumor diameter,mural nodules and the proportion of mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN)and intra-ductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN).165 patients (84.2％) met the Sendai Guidelines,153 patients (78.1％) met the Chinese guideline,and only 61 patients (31.1％) met the Fukuoka Guidelines.All 39 patients with malignant tumors met the indications in Sendai Guidelines and Chinese guidelines,and only 35 patients had the indication for surgery in the Fukuoka Guidelines.The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,PPV and NPV of the Fukuoka Guidelines for predicting the malignancy were 84.7％,89.7％,83.4％,57.4％ and 97.0％,compared to 35.7％,100％,19.8％,23.6％ and 100％ for the Sendai and 41.8％,100％,27.4％,25.5％ and 100％ for the Chinese guidelines,respectively.Conclusions The performance of the Chinese guideline is slightly better than the Sendai Guidelines,while both of them can lead to a larger number of patients undergoing unnecessary surgical resection.Though the rate of missed diagnosis could reach 10.3％,the Fukuoka Guidelines gets the highest accuracy.

Objective: To establish a method for repairing extremities with extensively deep burn using large piece of fresh allogeneic scalp spliced by Meek glue combined with autologous microskin and observe its effect. Methods: Medical records of two male patients with extremely extensive deep burn admitted to our hospital from May to November in 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Two patients aged 44 and 25 years respectively, with total burn area of 90% and 97% total body surface area (TBSA) and full-thickness burn area of 85% and 70% TBSA, respectively. Preoperatively, the surgical area on the extremities was calculated to estimate the necessary amount of allogeneic scalp and Meek miniature skin. The large piece of fresh allogeneic scalp spliced by Meek glue combined with autologous microskin was prepared according to the methods described as follows. Thin medium-thickness fresh scalps with 3% TBSA and 0.30-0.35 mm in depth were harvested from each donor and spliced into a large piece with epidermis upward by spraying Meek glue. Then the spliced scalp was punched after covered with a single-layer gauze. Autologous microskin was transported onto the dermis of fresh large piece of allogeneic scalp by traditional floating method. Bilateral extremities with full-thickness burn of two patients were selected for self-control. The left upper extremity was denoted as treatment group while the right upper extremity was denoted as control group in Patient 1. The right lower extremity was denoted as treatment group while the left lower extremity was denoted as control group in Patient 2. Wounds in the treatment group were treated with fresh large piece of allogeneic scalp spliced by Meek glue and autologous microskin with expansion ratio of 1∶15 after escharectomy, while wounds in control group received grafting of Meek miniature skin with expansion ratio of 1∶6 and or 1∶9 after escharectomy. The donors of allogeneic scalp were 32 males who were the relatives or friends of the patients, aged 21-50 years, with scalp area of (548±48) cm². The healing conditions of donor sites of scalp were observed on post operation day 10, and were followed up within 3 months after operation to observe whether forming alopecia and hypertrophic scar or not. Wound healing condition was evaluated during follow-up in post operation week (POW) 2-5 and 4 months after operation. Wound coverage rates were calculated in both treatment and control groups in POW 2, 3, 4, and 5. Results: The donor sites of all allogeneic scalp of donors healed completely on post operation day 10. There was no alopecia or hypertrophic scar within 3 months after operation for follow-up. In POW 2, allogeneic scalp grafts basically survived in treatment group without obvious exudation, and most of the Meek miniature skin survived in control group with obvious exudation. Part of allogeneic scalp grafts dissolved and detached in treatment group in POW 3, and the surviving grafts scabbed. The eschar detached and new epithelium was observed in treatment group in POW 4 and 5. In POW 3-5, surviving Meek miniature skin in control group creeped and was incorporated, and the wounds shrank. Hypertrophic scar was observed in both treatment and control groups 4 months after operation, without obvious difference in scar as a whole. The wound coverage rates were respectively 84%-98% and 76%-92% in treatment group of two patients in POW 2-5, close to or higher than those of control group (35%-97% and 28%-81%, respectively). Conclusions The study establishes a novel method for splicing fresh allogeneic scalps into a large piece as the covering of microskin, which has good effect for repairing extensively deep burn wounds. Considering that allogeneic skin is scarce, this method may be a new option in clinical treatment for extensively deep burn patients.

Objective: To explore the effects of scar excision combined with negative-pressure on repair of hypertrophic scar in burn children. Methods: From October 2010 to August 2016, 25 children with hypertrophic scar after deep burn were hospitalized, with scar course ranging from 3 months to 11 years and scar area ranging from 35 to 427 [83(51, 98)]cm². A total of 35 scars of 25 children were located in trunk (11 scars), upper limb (11 scars), and lower limb (13 scars). All children received scar excision operation and negative-pressure treatment (negative-pressure value ranged from -40 to -20 kPa), among which 6 cases received scar excision operation and negative-pressure treatment for two times for further removal of scars. After scar excision, electronic spring scale was used to measure the tension of the incision. The tension value of children ranged from 3.43 to 23.84 [7.16 (5.59, 9.12)] N, and then the incision was closed with appropriate suture according to the value of the tension. The incision with smaller tension was firstly opened on post operation day (POD) 8. After removing the suture, negative-pressure was conducted to POD 14. The incision with larger tension was firstly opened on POD 12. After removing the suture, biological semi-membrane was used to reduce tension to POD 16. All healed incisions were performed with anti-scar treatment for 1 year and relaxation and fixation for 3 months. General condition of the incision was observed after operation. The reduction percentage of scar area was calculated half-year after operation. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale was used to record the overall score of scar and scar score of trunk, upper limb, and lower limb before operation and half-year after operation. Data were processed with paired t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: After removing the suture, all incisions of children healed well without redness, effusion, and rupture. Half-year after operation, the appearance and deformity of incision were obviously improved, and the symptoms including pruritus and pain were basically relieved. Half-year after operation, the scar area of children ranged from 0 to 174 [21(9, 47)]cm^2, which was significantly decreased as compared with that before operation (Z=-5.16, P<0.05). The reduction percentage of scar area ranged from 36% to 100% [(73±19)%]. Half-year after operation, the overall score of scar and scar score of trunk, upper limb, and lower limb of children were obviously decreased as compared with those before operation (with t values from 6.42 to 17.37, P values below 0.05). Conclusions Scar excision combined with negative-pressure treatment has a good clinical effect on repair of hypertrophic scar in burn children, which is suitable for clinical application.

Objective:To explore the clinical effects of partially de-epithelized local flaps in repairing tubercular chest wall defects.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From April 2010 to February 2021, twelve patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, including 9 males and 3 females with age of (42±18) years. The sizes of tubercular chest wall defects of patients were ranged from 4 cm×3 cm×2 cm to 16 cm×8 cm×5 cm, which were all repaired with partial de-epithelized local flaps. The widths of flaps were equal to the widths of the defects, and the lengths of flaps were 2 cm longer than those of the defects. In one patient, the local flap was too large to close the donor site directly by suturing, so an autologous back free medium thickness skin graft was used for repair. In other patients, the collection areas of local flaps were small, and the donor areas of flaps were directly closed. The duration of operation, intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative drainage volume and indwelling time of drainage tube were observed and recorded. In two weeks after operation, the survival, color, and texture of flaps, the presence of subcutaneous hydrops and skin ulcer, and donor site healing including wound disruption, local infection, hematoma were observed. Chest X-ray, CT scan, or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging was performed in one month after operation to check whether new local hydrops and bone destruction occurred in the chest wall defects and the concomitant tuberculose focus of patients. All patients were followed up for more than 6 months to record whether the surgical incisions of the chest wall defects of the patients were complicated by hypertrophic scar, redness, swelling, and sinus.Results:In surgery, the patient had (104±18) min of operation duration, (119±53) mL of intraoperative bleeding, (134±49) mL of cumulative drainage of drainage tube, and (5.3±1.7) days of drainage tube indwelling time. In two weeks after operation, all the grafted local flaps survived, and the color and texture of flaps were similar to the surrounding normal skin. One patient had fluid leakage from the incision of chest wall defect area with the incision partially dehisced, which healed well after a phase Ⅱ operation; no wound infection, subcutaneous hydrops, or wound rupture occurred in other patients. The incisions of donor sites in all the patients healed well and no wound disruption, local infection, or hematoma occurred. One month after operation, no new bone destruction was observed in the operative region by chest imaging examination. Patients were followed up for 6 to 96 months, with one patient having wound swelling, ulceration, and sinus in the operative area of the chest wall defect in 12 months after surgery, which healed after phase Ⅱ operation; the incisions of chest wall defect wounds in other patients healed well and had no scar, redness and swelling, or sinus.Conclusions:Partially de-epithelized local flap could be used in repairing tubercular chest wall defect wounds, with the advantages of flexible flap design, minimal donor site injury, and good postoperative wound healing.

Objective To explore the effective management of post-operation infections through clinical pharmacists participating in the treatment of a gastric cancer patient with post operation abdominal infection and cellulitis. Methods Clinical pharmacists provided an rational anti-infective treatment plan with the combination of pharmacy and clinical practice, conducted medication education for the patient, and participated in the process of pharmacy care for the patient. Results Physicians modified the medication plan according to the recommendations from the clinical pharmacists. The patient’s infection was effectively controlled and the symptoms were alleviated. Conclusion With their professional knowledge, clinical pharmacists can select the best antibacterial drug regimen for the treatment of post-operation infections and provide patients with optimal pharmaceutical care.

Objective:To investigate the expression and phosphorylation level change of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) in skeletal muscle of severely scald rats and its roles in skeletal muscle atrophy in severely scalded rats.Methods:The experimental research method was applied. Totally 100 6-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into sham injury group and scald group according to the random number table, with 50 rats in each group. After weighing the body weight, rats in scald group were inflicted with full-thickness scald of 30% total body surface area on the back, and rats in sham injury group were simulated with scald. At 6 h and on 1, 3, 5, and 7 d post injury, 10 rats in each group were taken to measure their body weights and weights of extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscle. At 6 h and on 1, 3, 5, and 7 d post injury, the tibialis anterior muscles were collected, the mRNA expressions of muscle atrophy F-box protein (MAFbx) and muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 (MuRF1) were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; the content of adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were detected by high performance liquid chromatography, and AMP/ATP ratio and energy charge were calculated; the protein expressions of AMPK-α and phosphorylated AMPK-α (p-AMPK-α) were detected by Western blotting, and the p-AMPK-α/AMPK-α ratio was calculated, with sample number of 4 in each time point of each group. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for factorial design and least significant difference test.Results:The body weights of rats in 2 groups before injury and at each time point post injury were close ( P>0.05). At 6 h post injury, the weight of extensor digitorum longus of rats in scald group was (0.107±0.007) g, which was significantly heavier than (0.086±0.0607) g of sham injury group ( P<0.01). On 3 d post injury, the weight of extensor digitorum longus of rats in scald group was (0.083±0.016) g, which was significantly lighter than (0.102±0.005) g of sham injury group ( P<0.01). The weight of soleus of rats in 2 groups were close at each time point post injury ( P>0.05). Compared with those of sham injury group, the mRNA expression of MAFbx in tibialis anterior muscle of rats in scald group was significantly up-regulated at 6 h post injury ( P<0.01), and the mRNA expressions of MuRF1 in tibial anterior muscle of rats in scald group were significantly up-regulated at 6 h and on 1 d post injury ( P<0.01). At 6 h and on 7 d post injury, compared with those of false injury group, the AMP/ATP ratios of the tibial anterior muscle of rats in scald group were significantly increased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), and energy charges of the tibial anterior muscle of rats in scald group were significantly decreased ( P<0.01). At each time point post injury, the protein expressions of AMPK-α of the tibial anterior muscle of rats in 2 groups were close ( P>0.05). The p-AMPK-α/AMPK-α ratios of the tibial anterior muscle of rats in scald group at 6 h and on 7 d post injury were significantly higher than those in sham injury group ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions:The decrease in energy charge and increase in AMP/ATP ratio of skeletal muscle of rats after severe scald activate AMPK. The activation of AMPK in the early stage of injury is consistent with the up-regulation of MAFbx and MuRF1 expressions and down-regulation of skeletal muscle weight. The above-mentioned changes may be one of the molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle atrophy in rats with severe scald